Easy Kid-Friendly Chicken Satay with Thai Peanut Dipping Sauce Recipe

This is another one of those easy weeknight meals that your kids will go crazy for!  The combination of grilled, skewered chicken (because lets be honest – what kid doesn’t love food on a stick that they can dip) and the sweet peanut dipping sauce makes this an almost perfect dinner solution!  You can even serve these easy Chicken Satay Skewers with the Peanut Sauce as an appetizer a dinner party.

This recipe has two parts, and any leftover peanut sauce can be used as a salad dressing, or as a sauce for a stir-fry!

Like in other recipes that I skewer (like these grilled chicken and veggie skewers), I used chop sticks instead of actual skewers that you buy at the store.  The chop sticks have a blunt end, so they are perfect for little mouths.  Before you start, soak chop sicks in a dish full of water for at least 30 minutes.  

Although this recipe has a lot of ingredients, you can get most of them at your local grocery store.  If you can’t find them, take a look at your local Asian grocery store.  Make sure if you’re going to the Asian grocery store, you have plenty of time, because there is some really neat stuff in there.  Our local Asian grocery store carries pork uterus, chicken feet and almost every type of gizzard you can think of in their meat case!

I like to allow my chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes before cooking, and overnight, if I get the chance, so usually what I do, is while my sticks are soaking, I allow the chicken to marry in the yummy satay marinade.  Anthony actually helped me make the marinade for this recipe, and if you’re looking for some great ways to get your kids in the kitchen, this recipe is a great one.  It gives your kiddos the opportunity to see new ingredients, and allows them to be a part of meal prep – plus it helps teach them different skills like reading a recipe and measuring.

So first things first, here is the recipe for the chicken satay.  If you are just looking for the peanut dipping sauce recipe, scroll down a little bit.

Kid Friendly Chicken Satay Recipe

Ingredients:

soaked chop sticks or skewers
1 lb chicken breast, cubed into equal bite sized pieces
1/2 can or 2/3 cup coconut milk (save the other half of the can for the peanut dipping sauce)
2 tbsp curry powder
1 tsp each: salt, cumin and white pepper
2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp red curry paste
thai peanut dipping sauce, for serving (recipe below)

Directions:

Soak your chop sticks or skewers in a large dish filled with water.

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and whisk together.  Add cubed chicken.  Cover with plastic wrap and stick it in the fridge and let marinate for at least 30 minutes.

Once your chicken has marinated, skewer equal amounts of chicken pieces on each chopstick or skewer.  I fit about 5-6 pieces of chicken on each skewer.

Preheat your grill over medium heat, and place chicken skewers on the grill.  Cook for about 4-5 minutes per side, flipping once, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Remove from heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.  Serve with Thai Peanut Dipping Sauce (recipe below).

Kid Friendly Thai Peanut Dipping Sauce Recipe

Ingredients:

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/8 cup soy sauce
1/8 cup rice vinegar
1 tbsp brown sugar or honey
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 tsp white pepper
1/2 tbsp (1 large clove) garlic, finely minced
2 tbsp fish sauce
2 cups coconut milk (1 1/2 cans)
peanuts and green onions, for garnish

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a small pot and whisk well to make sure that the peanut butter is well mixed in, and let simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes, or let simmer over low heat for 30-40 minutes while your chicken is marinating and cooking.

Remove from heat and top with peanuts and green onions, if using.  Serve with Chicken Satay, or as a sauce for your favorite stir-fry or salad!

How did you use your leftover peanut sauce?