Thai Peanut Chicken Skewers

These Thai Peanut Chicken Skewers bring together the perfect fusion of Southeast Asian flavors and Western grilling techniques. The chicken is soaked in a luscious marinade made from creamy peanut butter, tangy lime juice, and coconut milk, then grilled or broiled to tender perfection. The best part? It’s incredibly versatile. Whether you serve it on skewers with a squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of peanuts, or atop a bed of fragrant rice with fresh herbs, this dish delivers bold flavor in every bite. Make it your new weeknight staple, or show it off at your next BBQ gathering!

Full recipe:

Ingredients:

For the Peanut Sauce:

• ½ cup creamy peanut butter

• 1 cup full-fat coconut milk (unsweetened, from a can)

• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce or fish sauce

• 1 ½ tablespoons dark brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon ground ginger

• 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic (about 3 large cloves)

• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

For the Chicken:

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks

Optional for Serving:

• Cooked white or brown rice

• Reserved peanut sauce

• Lime wedges

• Chopped peanuts

• Chopped green onions

• Chopped cilantro

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together peanut butter, coconut milk, lime juice, soy or fish sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes until smooth.

2. Reserve 1 cup of the sauce in a covered container and refrigerate.

3. Place chicken chunks in a dish and pour remaining peanut sauce over them. Toss to coat thoroughly.

4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (not exceeding 8 hours).

5. After marinating, thread chicken onto skewers or place directly on a wire rack over a baking sheet.

6. To broil: Preheat broiler to high. Place baking sheet under the broiler and cook for 6 minutes, or until chicken reaches an internal temp of 160°F.

7. To grill: Preheat grill to medium-high (375°F–450°F). Grill skewers over indirect heat for 6 minutes per side or until internal temp is 160°F.

8. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

9. Serve with rice, drizzle with reserved peanut sauce, and garnish with lime wedges, peanuts, green onions, and cilantro.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Kcal: 576 kcal | Servings: 6 servings

A Journey into Thai Cuisine: The Magic Behind Thai Peanut Chicken

Thai cuisine is beloved around the world for its bold flavors, vibrant ingredients, and perfect balance of sweet, spicy, salty, and sour notes. Among the most iconic dishes influenced by Thai flavors is Thai Peanut Chicken, a fusion of tender chicken with a rich, nutty peanut sauce that captures everything people love about Southeast Asian cooking.

This recipe, inspired by the popular street food Chicken Satay, is a modern home cook’s answer to a classic. It’s approachable, easy to make with pantry staples, and offers the kind of layered flavor that tastes like it came from a restaurant—but is effortless to recreate in your own kitchen.

What Makes Thai Peanut Chicken So Special?

At the heart of this dish is the creamy, flavorful Thai peanut sauce, made with ingredients like peanut butter, coconut milk, lime juice, garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes. These ingredients might seem like an unusual combination at first, but together they create a sauce that is savory, slightly sweet, tangy, and mildly spicy all at once.

The chicken is marinated in this luscious sauce, allowing the meat to soak up the rich flavor before being grilled or broiled to juicy perfection. The result is a dish that’s deeply flavorful and satisfying on its own or served with rice or noodles.

But it’s not just the taste that makes this dish stand out. It’s how incredibly versatile, healthy, and adaptable it is for different dietary preferences.

A Recipe for All Seasons (and Skill Levels)

Whether you’re grilling outdoors in summer or broiling indoors on a cozy winter evening, Thai Peanut Chicken is a dish for all seasons. It doesn’t require any special equipment beyond a grill or broiler, and no obscure ingredients you can’t find at a local grocery store.

You can serve it on skewers as an appetizer or main dish, or slice it and layer over rice bowls, salads, or wraps for weekday lunches. It’s perfect for meal prep since the chicken stores well and actually tastes better after the flavors settle overnight.

Even beginner cooks will find this recipe easy to master. It involves simple techniques: whisking, marinating, grilling, and garnishing. The prep time is minimal, and the results are always crowd-pleasing.

Health Benefits and Nutritional Highlights

Thai Peanut Chicken is not just about indulgent taste—it also offers a variety of nutritional benefits:

• High in Protein: With 2 pounds of chicken thighs used, this dish is protein-rich and great for those focusing on muscle repair or high-energy diets.
• Healthy Fats: The peanut butter and coconut milk add healthy fats, which can help with satiety and support heart and brain health when consumed in moderation.
• Anti-inflammatory Ingredients: Garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes all have natural anti-inflammatory properties and are common in traditional healing recipes across Asia.
• Gluten-Free Options: By simply using gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, this recipe becomes fully gluten-free.
• Low Carb / Keto Adaptable: You can serve this dish with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to make it low carb or keto-friendly.

It’s a wonderfully nourishing dish that can be tailored to your lifestyle goals—whether that’s high-protein, gluten-free, paleo, or keto.

A Cultural Touchstone: The Satay Inspiration

The roots of this dish trace back to Chicken Satay, a street food staple originating from Indonesia but widely popular throughout Southeast Asia, including Thailand. Satay typically features skewered, grilled meats served with a rich peanut sauce and a side of pickled vegetables or rice cakes.

This modern version pays homage to Thai cuisine’s creativity by incorporating classic satay flavors into an easy-to-make family meal. The key differences are in the marinade duration, broiling/grilling method, and sauce intensity, making it more accessible and robust for Western kitchens.

Why This Recipe Works Every Time

There are a few reasons why this particular Thai Peanut Chicken recipe stands out among the rest:

• Balanced Marinade: The peanut sauce used as a marinade doesn’t overpower the chicken. Instead, it tenderizes the meat and infuses it with rich flavor.
• Dual Cooking Methods: Offering both broiling and grilling methods ensures success whether you’re cooking indoors or out.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Marinate the chicken the night before, and simply grill or broil when ready—making this an excellent option for meal prep and entertaining.
• Crowd-Pleaser: It appeals to kids and adults alike. The peanut sauce is flavorful without being too spicy, but can easily be customized with more red pepper flakes for spice lovers.

Creative Serving Ideas

One of the best things about Thai Peanut Chicken is how many different ways you can serve it. Here are some ideas to make the most of your leftovers—or to simply mix it up:

• Rice Bowl: Serve over jasmine or brown rice with a side of steamed veggies.
• Noodle Bowl: Toss with rice noodles, shredded carrots, and bean sprouts for a Thai-inspired noodle salad.
• Lettuce Wraps: Wrap sliced chicken in butter lettuce leaves with cucumber and herbs.
• Tacos: Use Thai Peanut Chicken as a filling for soft corn tortillas, topped with cabbage slaw and a squeeze of lime.
• Salads: Chop the chicken and toss into an Asian chopped salad with a drizzle of the peanut sauce as dressing.

The flavors pair well with fresh herbs like cilantro and mint, as well as cooling garnishes like cucumber, shredded cabbage, and lime.

Tips for Perfect Thai Peanut Chicken Every Time

To make sure your dish turns out great every time, keep these tips in mind:

• Marinate Smart: Aim for at least 1 hour of marinating, but no more than 8. Too much acid from lime juice can toughen the meat.
• Use Full-Fat Coconut Milk: This gives the sauce its signature richness and texture.
• Don’t Overcook: Whether grilling or broiling, cook only until the internal temperature reaches 160°F, then let it rest before serving.
• Customize Heat: Start with ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes and taste. Add more gradually if you want it spicier.
• Add Garnishes Generously: Crushed peanuts, green onions, and fresh herbs make a big difference in flavor and texture.

A Family-Friendly Weeknight Favorite

Busy weeknights don’t mean compromising on flavor. Thai Peanut Chicken can be prepped the night before and cooked in under 15 minutes. It’s an ideal dish to introduce kids to global flavors while keeping things comforting and familiar.

The sauce is creamy and satisfying, the chicken is juicy, and you have total control over spice levels. Add a side of rice and some chopped veggies, and you’ve got a complete, healthy meal in no time.

Allergen and Dietary Notes

For those with food sensitivities, this recipe is wonderfully adaptable:

• Nut-Free Alternative: Use sunflower seed butter or tahini instead of peanut butter.
• Soy-Free Option: Swap soy sauce with coconut aminos or tamari.
• Low Sugar Version: Replace brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener or erythritol for a low-carb alternative.
• Vegetarian Option: Use tofu or tempeh instead of chicken—marinated and grilled to perfection!

Conclusion

This Thai Peanut Chicken Skewers recipe is the kind of dish that turns first-time tasters into raving fans. It hits all the right notes—sweet, savory, spicy, creamy, and tangy—without being overly complicated.

It’s a restaurant-quality recipe you can make in your own kitchen, with ingredients you already have, and it’s easily adjusted to your dietary needs. Whether you’re making it for yourself, your family, or a backyard BBQ crowd, this recipe is bound to become a favorite.