| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 10 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 450 | 22g | 5g | 25g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 12g | 3g | 40g | 1.2g |
Why I Love Malaysian Chicken Satay
My fixation with this Malaysian inspired recipe for Chicken Satay knows no bounds. Ah, the Chicken Satay – a dish that takes me back to a blissful evening I spent in a local hawker center in Kuala Lumpur while on a culinary adventure. The sensational flavors of this dish, coupled with an all-round olfactory experience, were quite literally a game changer.
Melding Cultures and Flavors
Perhaps my own heritage plays a role in my love for this dish. Growing up in Louisiana, a veritable melting pot of flavors, offered me an insight into how cultures and cuisines can intermingle to create something remarkable. Just as my desserts combine the richness of Creole with French elegance, this Chicken Satay recipe embodies the blend of sweet, sour and spicy that’s characteristic of Malaysian cuisine with a touch of Indochina influence, reminiscent of Vietnamese food.
Inspiration and Accompaniment
Taking inspiration from acclaimed chef Gordon Ramsay, I’ve given this traditional recipe a bit of my own twist, while ensuring that the essence of the dish remains prominent. This succulent Chicken Satay can be served alongside vibrant Asian slaw or steaming Jasmine rice, to create a satisfying and wholesome meal.
In preparing this dish, remember, when it comes to Chicken Satay, it’s all about the balance of flavors, and how the ingredients integrate to form a unique, unforgettable culinary experience. The chicken, tender and beautifully marinated, paired with that creamy, flavour-packed peanut sauce, is quite honestly, a match made in food heaven.
Here’s to more culinary adventures and the joy of sharing delicious food. I anticipate this Chicken Satay recipe will inspire you as much as it has inspired me, and that through this dish, a piece of Malaysian culture has been brought right to your kitchen.
What You’ll Need
- 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon of lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon of ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Wooden skewers soaked in water for 30 minutes
- For the peanut sauce:
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup of coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon of chili flakes (optional)
Method
Step One
Start by cutting the chicken into long, thin strips and setting it aside. Then in a medium-sized bowl, combine the vegetable oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, soy sauce, honey, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground turmeric, cayenne pepper and salt and pepper to taste.
Step Two
Place the chicken strips in this mixture so they are fully coated, then let them marinate for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator.
Step Three
While the chicken is marinating, you can begin preparing the peanut sauce. Heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
Step Four
Add the creamy peanut butter, coconut milk, soy sauce, brown sugar, and lime juice to the saucepan. Stir all these ingredients together over medium-low heat until the mixture is smooth. If you like your peanut sauce with a kick, you can also add in the chili flakes at this point. Set the sauce aside to cool.
Step Five
Once the chicken has finished marinating, thread the strips onto the soaked wooden skewers. You can then grill the skewers on a barbecue or under a broiler, turning them every few minutes, until they are fully cooked and slightly charred, usually about 10 to 15 minutes depending on the thickness of the chicken.
Step Six
Finally, serve the chicken satay skewers with the peanut sauce on the side. Enjoy!
