Ina Garten’s Simple Chicken Satay Recipe: A Flavor Explosion

The alluring ina garten chicken satay promises a culinary adventure that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dish bursting with Southeast Asian-inspired flavors.

Marinating protein in a complex blend of ingredients elevates this classic appetizer beyond basic expectations.

Each tender morsel carries deep, nuanced tastes that dance across your palate with remarkable sophistication.

Fragrant spices intertwine seamlessly, creating a harmonious balance between sweet, savory, and slightly tangy notes.

Garten’s signature approach ensures every bite delivers maximum deliciousness through strategic seasoning techniques.

Complex yet approachable, this recipe demonstrates how simple ingredients can become something truly spectacular when prepared with intention and skill.

Sophisticated home cooks will appreciate the nuanced layers of flavor waiting to be unleashed: dive in and savor every moment.

Why Chicken Satay by Ina Garten Is So Snackable

• Bursting with Bold Flavors: The marinade combines a perfect blend of soy sauce, peanut butter, lime juice, and spices that infuse the chicken with an explosion of sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy taste sensations.
• Super Simple Grilling Magic: This recipe transforms ordinary chicken into a restaurant-worthy dish with minimal effort, making it incredibly accessible for home cooks of all skill levels. The straightforward marinating and grilling process ensures anyone can create a delicious meal with ease.
• Quick Weeknight Dinner Champion: Ready in under 30 minutes of active cooking time (plus marinating), this chicken satay delivers maximum flavor with minimal preparation, making it ideal for busy families or last-minute meal planning.
• Party-Perfect Finger Food: These skewers are a crowd-pleasing appetizer or main course that brings interactive dining to the table. Guests can enjoy dipping the tender chicken into the rich peanut sauce, creating a fun and social eating experience.

Your Satay Ingredient Checklist

• Soy Sauce: Classic Asian seasoning that adds depth and saltiness to the marinade.
• Peanut Butter: Provides rich, creamy texture and nutty flavor to the marinade.
• Rice Vinegar: Brings light acidity and brightness to balance the marinade.
• Lime Juice: Adds fresh citrus tang and helps tenderize the chicken.
• Sesame Oil: Introduces authentic Asian-style nutty aroma to the mix.

• Honey: Natural sweetener that helps caramelize the chicken.
• Ginger, Garlic: Essential aromatics that create a robust flavor profile.
• Crushed Red Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and spicy kick.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance overall taste.

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that absorbs marinade beautifully.
• Wooden Skewers: Essential for grilling and serving the chicken.
• Non-Stick Spray: Prevents chicken from sticking to the grill.
• Cilantro, Green Onions: Fresh herbs for garnish and added flavor.

Step-by-Step Satay Instructions from Ina

Step 1: Prepare Marinade Base

• Soy sauce
• Peanut butter
• Rice vinegar
• Lime juice
• Sesame oil
• Honey
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Crushed red pepper
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk everything together until smooth, setting aside a small portion for basting.

Step 2: Marinate Chicken

Place chicken pieces in the bowl or a sealed plastic bag. Pour marinade over the chicken, ensuring complete coverage. Refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes or overnight for deeper flavor infusion.

Step 3: Prepare Skewers

Soak wooden skewers in warm water for 30-60 minutes to prevent burning during grilling. Thread chicken pieces onto skewers, placing approximately 5 pieces per skewer.

Step 4: Create Peanut Dipping Sauce

In a separate bowl, mix peanut sauce ingredients until well combined. Set aside at room temperature.

Step 5: Preheat Grilling Surface

Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high temperature. Lightly coat cooking surface with non-stick spray.

Step 6: Grill Chicken Skewers

Place chicken skewers on heated surface. Cook for 5-6 minutes per side, brushing with reserved marinade. Use meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 7: Garnish And Serve

Sprinkle chopped cilantro and green onions over grilled skewers. Drizzle with prepared peanut sauce if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

Grilling and Skewering Tips You’ll Appreciate

• Maximize Marinade Magic: Allow extra time for the chicken to soak up flavors, ideally marinating overnight in the refrigerator for deeper, more intense taste.
• Prevent Skewer Scorching: Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to stop them from burning and potentially catching fire.
• Grill Like a Pro: Create perfect grill marks by preheating to medium-high heat and cleaning the grates before cooking to prevent sticking.
• Sauce Saving Hack: Reserve some marinade before adding raw chicken to use as a fresh, flavorful dipping sauce after cooking.
• Serving Smartness: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after grilling to help juices redistribute, ensuring each bite stays moist and delicious.

How to Store Leftover Chicken Satay

• Cool Down First: Let chicken satay cool completely at room temperature before storing to prevent moisture buildup and bacterial growth. Wrap each skewer individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil for easy separation.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Place cooled chicken satay in a shallow, airtight container with a tight-fitting lid. Layer pieces between parchment paper to prevent sticking. Consume within 2-3 days for optimal flavor and texture.
• Freezing Technique: Slide chicken off skewers before freezing for more compact storage. Wrap tightly in freezer-safe plastic wrap, then place in a labeled freezer bag. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen chicken satay maintains best quality for up to 2 months, though technically safe for 3 months.

Peanut Sauce Alternatives and Fun Satay Flavors

• Spicy Thai Kick: Add more crushed red pepper or use Thai chili peppers to increase heat, creating a fiery version of the classic chicken satay that brings intense flavor and warmth to the dish.
• Coconut Curry Fusion: Replace sesame oil with coconut milk and add mild curry powder to the marinade, transforming the recipe into a creamy, aromatic Southeast Asian-inspired variation that offers rich, complex flavors.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Swap out some ingredients by using olive oil, adding fresh rosemary, thyme, and lemon zest to the marinade, giving the chicken satay a Mediterranean profile with bright, herbaceous notes.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, keeping the same marinade and cooking method, which provides a plant-based option that maintains the original recipe's delicious flavor profile.

Satay Reflections to Wrap It All Up

Culinary journeys often begin with unexpected flavor combinations, and Ina Garten’s chicken satay embodies this delightful adventure.

Southeast Asian influences dance through each marinade-soaked bite, creating sensory magic for home cooks.

Peanut sauce transforms simple chicken into an extraordinary meal experience.

Grilling techniques elevate humble ingredients into restaurant-quality deliciousness.

Complex marinades unlock profound taste dimensions that surprise and delight palates.

Serve these skewers at gatherings, and watch as conversation and compliments flow freely – your guests will crave seconds, beg for the recipe, share social media snapshots, and shower you with culinary praise.

Ina Garten Chicken Satay Recipe

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4.8 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s chicken satay brings Indonesian street charm to your kitchen with perfect marinated chicken skewers. Creamy peanut sauce and tender grilled chicken create an irresistible flavor journey that delights you from first bite to last.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 ½ pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes

Sauce and Seasoning:

• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 2 teaspoons grated ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Garnish:

• Peanut dipping sauce
• Green onions
• Chopped cilantro

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Instructions

1. Prepare a spacious mixing container or a sealable plastic bag for marinating the chicken.
2. Craft a vibrant marinade by combining soy sauce, creamy peanut butter, tangy rice vinegar, zesty lime juice, aromatic sesame oil, golden honey, minced ginger, crushed garlic, fiery red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Reserve a small portion of this flavor-packed mixture for basting.
3. Thoroughly coat the chicken pieces with the marinade, ensuring complete coverage. Refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, or ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
4. Simultaneously prepare the accompanying peanut dipping sauce by blending the designated ingredients, then set aside at room temperature.
5. For wooden skewers, submerge in warm water for 30-60 minutes to prevent charring during grilling.
6. Thread chicken pieces onto skewers, allocating approximately 5 pieces per skewer for uniform cooking.
7. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high temperature (around 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit). Lightly coat the cooking surface with non-stick spray to prevent adherence.
8. Arrange skewers on the heated surface, grilling for 5-6 minutes per side. Periodically brush with the reserved marinade and monitor internal chicken temperature, ensuring it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) for safe consumption.
9. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and green onions. Optionally drizzle with additional peanut sauce for enhanced flavor complexity.

Notes

• Soaking wooden skewers prevents charring and potential fire hazards during grilling.
• Marinating chicken for a minimum of half an hour allows spices to penetrate deeply, enhancing overall taste and tenderness.
• Preheating the grill ensures even cooking and creates those beautiful grill marks that add visual appeal and smoky flavor.
• Applying non-stick spray before grilling helps release chicken easily and maintains the meat’s integrity.
• Letting grilled chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking allows juices to redistribute, keeping the meat moist and flavorful.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 325 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 40 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg