Easy Chicken Satay

I love to make easy chicken satay anytime, but especially for guests. I developed this quick and easy recipe based on a dish served in a local restaurant. Simple to make, you can create the sauce and cook the chicken in advance, leaving more time for you to spend with your company. In the time it takes to cook the rice, dinner is ready!

You’ll need:

-1 cup raw Basmati rice

-3 cups cooked, cubed chicken (2 good sized breasts)

-olive oil for frying, about 2 tbsp

-½ Spanish onion, chopped

-2 cloves garlic, minced

-1 inch fresh ginger, finely grated

-1 large sweet red pepper, chopped

-fresh cilantro, chopped

First, make the sauce. For that you will need:

-½ cup natural crunchy peanut butter (use smooth if you prefer)

-3 tbsp each rice vinegar and tamari (soy sauce)

-1 tbsp honey

-4 tbsp hot water or chicken stock

-1 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger

-1 tsp sesame oil

-pinch of hot pepper flakes

Whisk all ingredients together and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Some people like to add hoisin sauce to this dish. If you have some, add 1-2 tbsp, to taste. I don’t always have it on hand and the recipe works just fine without it.

Another ingredient frequently found in peanut sauce recipes is fish sauce. I am not a fan and do not use it. But, again, if you have it and like it, add to taste.

You can make the sauce up to three days in advance. Bring it out of the fridge and back to room temperature at least one hour before cooking the meal.

15 or 20 minutes before you want to eat, start cooking the rice according to package directions. If you have a rice steamer, even better, as the rice will sit happily in there, warm, if you happen to fall behind in your prep.

Meanwhile, you can prepare the chicken mixture. Sauté the onion in olive oil over medium heat until softened. Add the garlic and ginger and cook a few minutes. Then add the chopped red pepper and cook for a few more minutes.

Add the chopped, cooked chicken and pour in the peanut sauce. Don’t worry if the sauce has thickened a bit, the heat will loosen it but feel free to add a little hot water if it has thickened too much for your liking.

Simmer on low until the flavors have mixed, then stir in the chopped cilantro and serve over warm rice. Please do not forget the cilantro; it makes the meal!

Easy Chicken Satay serves 4 happy diners.

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