Keto Chicken Satay With Spicy Peanut Sauce

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Discover how to prepare delicious low-carb, keto chicken satay skewers with a zesty peanut sauce. The chicken is marinated with a blend of spices and Asian sauces, grilled to perfection, and served with a delectable peanut dipping sauce. This healthy, gluten-free, sugar-free satay recipe is a must-try!

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What Is Satay?

Satay is a popular Southeast Asian dish made with small pieces of meat, chicken, or fish cooked on skewers, typically grilled and served with a spicy peanut sauce. When we say “spicy,” we mean flavorful, not necessarily hot!

There are various regional versions of satay, with differences in the choice of meat, marinade sweetness, thickness of the peanut sauce, and spice levels. However, one thing remains consistent – satay is incredibly delicious, especially when made with chicken.

Keto Chicken Satay Skewers

Traditional chicken satay recipes often contain sugar or sweeteners in both the marinade and the peanut sauce. This keto-friendly version uses sugar-free sweeteners and is suitable for those following a dairy-free and gluten-free lifestyle. It’s like a guilt-free chicken satay!

You can opt to make keto chicken satay skewers or grill marinated chicken pieces as is. I recommend marinating the chicken for at least 2-3 hours (ideal for prepping in the morning before work), but even a quick 20-minute marinade will suffice.

Grilled satay chicken can be served as a finger food, appetizer, or as a main protein dish alongside rice, noodles, cauliflower rice, cucumber salad, or any other vegetable dish of your choice.

How To Make Keto Chicken Satay

For the detailed recipe with ingredients and nutrition breakdown, refer to the recipe card below. Here are some step-by-step visuals on preparing chicken satay skewers and the peanut dipping sauce.

Satay Chicken Skewers

Step 1. Cut the chicken thighs into bite-size pieces, season with curry powder, garlic powder, white pepper, and a pinch of salt. Ensure the pieces are well coated and transfer to a bowl.

Step 2. Gather the remaining marinade ingredients: lime juice or rice wine vinegar, fish sauce, gluten-free soy sauce (e.g., Tamari or coconut aminos), and olive oil. If using bamboo skewers, soak them in cold water for a few minutes to prevent burning.

Step 3. Add the remaining marinade ingredients, mix well to coat the chicken evenly, and let it marinate for at least 10-15 minutes (can be done in advance and refrigerated). Once marinated, thread the chicken onto bamboo or metal skewers.

Keto Peanut Sauce

Step 4. Prepare the peanut sauce. You can use a food processor or blender to blend the sauce ingredients until smooth. Alternatively, melt the peanut butter and combine with the remaining ingredients, whisking until smooth. Adjust the taste for saltiness, sweetness, or acidity as needed.

Grilling The Skewers

Step 5. Heat a grill pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, add oil, and ensure the pan is well coated. Once hot, grill the chicken skewers for 4-5 minutes on each side until fully cooked. The same can be done on an outdoor grill or barbecue.

Arrange the cooked skewers on a platter, serve with peanut sauce, and garnish with crushed peanuts, red chili, coriander, and lime wedges. Consider pairing them with a shaved cucumber salad on the side.

What To Serve With Chicken Satay

Grilled chicken satay can be enjoyed as the main protein dish, an appetizer, or finger food when served as skewers. For a complete meal, pair the satay chicken with steamed rice, coconut rice, noodles, or keep it keto-friendly with a simple cucumber salad and coconut cauliflower rice.

You can also complement the dish with an Asian-style coleslaw, a quick stir-fry of broccoli and zucchini, or any other vegetable dishes you prefer.

More Recipes With Chicken

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Tender and juicy keto chicken satay skewers, grilled to perfection and served with a creamy peanut sauce. This healthier version of satay chicken is sugar-free, gluten-free, and low-carb friendly.

For the chicken satay skewers

Cut the chicken thighs into bite-size pieces, season with curry powder, garlic powder, white pepper, and a pinch of salt. Ensure the pieces are well coated and transfer to a bowl. Drizzle with the remaining marinade ingredients and mix well to coat evenly. Let it marinate for at least 10-15 minutes (can be done in advance and refrigerated).
Prepare the peanut sauce. You can use a food processor or blender to blend the sauce ingredients until smooth. Alternatively, melt the peanut butter and combine with the remaining ingredients, whisking until smooth. Adjust the taste for saltiness, sweetness, or acidity as needed.
Thread the chicken pieces onto bamboo or metal skewers.
Heat a grill pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, add oil, and ensure the pan is well coated.
Once hot, grill the chicken skewers for 4-5 minutes on each side until fully cooked.
Arrange the cooked skewers on a platter, serve with peanut sauce, and garnish with crushed peanuts, red chili, coriander, and lime wedges. Consider pairing them with a shaved cucumber salad on the side.

For Paleo/Whole30: use almond butter or cashew butter and coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
You will probably have leftover peanut sauce which can be stored in the fridge for up to a week. Reheat and thin it out with a little water or coconut milk.