Last Updated on March 6, 2024 by Karen
These tender and juicy chicken satay skewers are grilled and served with a creamy Vietnamese peanut sauce for dipping, making it a quick and delicious meal that the whole family will love!
This Chicken Satay Skewers with Vietnamese Peanut Sauce recipe is one I find myself making on repeat. It’s simple to make and it just tastes amazing. This is my favorite peanut sauce recipe, and it has some of my absolute favorite flavors like hoisin sauce, peanut butter, and sambal, which makes it one of those meals I could eat for several days straight and never get sick of it.
As much as I love the chicken satay skewers, the real highlight of this dish is the Vietnamese peanut sauce. It’s so good you’ll want to double and triple dip your chicken satay skewers with this creamy sauce!
If you love this dish, here are some more Asian chicken dishes you’ll want to try:
Panda Express Copycat Orange Chicken (no deep frying)
Slow Cooker Honey Teriyaki Chicken Noodles
What is Vietnamese peanut sauce?
Vietnamese peanut sauce, also known as “nước lèo” or “sốt lèo” in Vietnamese, is a savory and slightly sweet dipping sauce commonly used in Vietnamese cuisine. It’s typically served with various dishes such as spring rolls, rice paper rolls, grilled meats, or noodles. The sauce is made from a base of peanut butter, along with other ingredients like hoisin sauce, garlic, and sometimes sambal chili sauce for added spice. The resulting sauce is creamy, rich, and packed with flavor, making it a popular condiment in Vietnamese cuisine. It can vary in thickness and flavor profile depending on personal preference and regional variations.
What is Vietnamese peanut sauce used for?
Vietnamese peanut sauce is a versatile sauce that is commonly used in Vietnamese cuisine. The sauce has a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and spicy flavors, which makes it suitable to pair with a variety of dishes in Vietnamese cuisine. It is the perfect complement to dishes like Chicken Satay Skewers, fresh vegetarian Vietnamese spring rolls, salad rolls, and noodle dishes.
The hoisin peanut sauce adds a creamy and flavorful element to these dishes and enhances their taste. It can also be used as a sauce for grilled pork belly or beef, or as a dressing for salads. Its versatility makes it a popular condiment in Vietnamese restaurants.
Ingredients needed to make Chicken Satay Skewers with Vietnamese Peanut Sauce:
To make the chicken satay skewers, you will need the following ingredients:
Garlic: Minced garlic cloves lend a pungent and aromatic flavor to the chicken satay, infusing each bite with savory richness.
Ginger: Freshly grated ginger adds a zesty and spicy kick, complementing the garlic and enhancing the overall flavor profile of the chicken skewers.
Lemongrass: Lemongrass contributes a bright and citrusy flavor, bringing a refreshing tang to the marinade and infusing the chicken with its distinctive aroma. I like to use lemongrass paste because it is less gritty when used as a marinade. If you use fresh lemongrass stalks, remember to trim off the tough outer layers before using it, and use mainly the tender, pale yellow portion near the base for cooking.
Brown sugar: Brown sugar provides sweetness and caramelization during grilling, balancing the savory and tangy flavors of the marinade. Be careful when grilling though – the sugar makes it easier for the chicken to get burned quicker.
Turmeric: Ground turmeric imparts a vibrant yellow hue to the marinade and chicken, while also adding a warm and earthy flavor note that complements the other spices. If you have freshly grated turmeric, you can use that too.
Fish sauce: Fish sauce adds depth and umami to the marinade, enhancing the savory profile of the chicken and providing a rich complexity to each bite. Substitute with soy sauce if you don’t have fish sauce on hand.
Chicken: Chicken pieces, cut into 1-inch cubes, serve as the main protein for the skewers, absorbing the flavors of the marinade and becoming tender and juicy when grilled. I usually use half boneless skinless chicken thigh and half chicken breast – that seems to make everyone in my family happy :)
Cilantro leaves and lime wedges (optional): Fresh cilantro leaves and lime wedges are served alongside the chicken satay skewers, offering a burst of freshness and brightness to complement the savory and tangy flavors.
To make the Vietnamese peanut sauce, you will need the following ingredients:
Peanut butter: I use creamy peanut butter which gives this sauce a thicker consistency. You can also use natural peanut butter (see more on this below).
Hoisin sauce: A thick and fragrant sauce made from soybeans, garlic, vinegar, and various spices, contributing sweetness, depth of flavor, and a hint of umami to the sauce. You can usually find this in the Asian section of the grocery store. If you’re using this ingredient for the first time, be careful with adding too much hoisin sauce. The flavors are very strong and it can make the sauce too salty.
Garlic: Minced garlic is used in this recipe.
Sambal chili sauce: A spicy condiment made from chili peppers, garlic, shallots, and shrimp paste, adding heat and complexity to the sauce with its fiery chili flavor and subtle tanginess.
How to make Vietnamese peanut sauce
To make Chicken Satay Skewers with Vietnamese Peanut Sauce, follow these steps:
1. First step is to marinate chicken with all satay ingredients for at least 1 hour (I prefer overnight for the best flavors).
2. Thread chicken on metal or bamboo skewers. If you’re grilling the chicken satay on bamboo skewers, you’ll want to soak the skewers in water for an hour or so before threading the chicken. This prevents the skewers from burning on the grill.
3. Make the Vietnamese peanut sauce by sauteing garlic and mixing with the rest of the sauce ingredients. Gradually add warm water to the mixture, stirring constantly, until the desired consistency is reached. If the sauce is too thick, add more water. If it’s too thin, add more peanut butter.
4. Transfer the sauce to an airtight container and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
5. Serve the Vietnamese peanut sauce as a dipping sauce for the Chicken Satay Skewers.
Can I use natural peanut butter in this Vietnamese peanut sauce recipe?
Yes, you can definitely use natural peanut butter in Vietnamese peanut sauce. Natural peanut butter, which typically contains just peanuts and sometimes salt, can work well in this recipe. However, keep in mind that natural peanut butter might have a slightly different flavor compared to regular peanut butter that contains added sugars and oils (makes a thicker sauce). You may need to adjust the other ingredients in the sauce to balance the flavor according to your taste preferences. Also keep in mind that natural peanut butter is usually more runny, so it may result in a thinner sauce.
Pairing suggestions for Vietnamese peanut sauce:
Vietnamese peanut sauce pairs well with a variety of dishes. Here are some suggestions:
– Chicken satay skewers: This creamy and flavorful sauce is the perfect dipping sauce for the grilled chicken.
– Fresh spring rolls: Good sauce to adding a salty sweet element to the fresh vegetables, fresh herbs, and vermicelli noodles in the spring rolls.
– Noodle dishes: Drizzle the sauce over rice noodles or vermicelli noodles for an extra burst of flavor.
– Traditional Vietnamese spring rolls: Wrap spring roll (fried with rice paper sheets or wheat based spring roll wrappers) with a piece of lettuce and dip into the sauce for a refreshing and tasty combination.
– Vietnamese summer rolls: The sauce is a classic dipping sauce for these healthy and flavorful rolls.
Feel free to get creative and try the sauce with other dishes to discover your own favorite pairings.
What are some variations to Vietnamese peanut sauce?
While the traditional recipe for Vietnamese peanut sauce is delicious on its own, you can experiment with some variations to suit your taste preferences. Here are a few ideas:
- Use almond butter or sunflower seed butter instead of creamy peanut butter for a different nutty flavor.
- Use crunchy peanut butter for texture.
- Add a little bit of honey or maple syrup for extra sweetness.
- If you prefer a bit of sour note, you can add a splash of lime juice or rice vinegar
- Adjust the amount of sambal chile sauce to make the sauce more or less spicy.
- Substitute the sambal with sriracha sauce, chili garlic sauce, or red pepper flakes for different flavor profile.
- Garnish the peanut sauce with chopped roasted peanuts for crunch.
Don’t be afraid to get creative and customize the sauce according to your personal preference.
How long does Vietnamese peanut sauce last?
When stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, Vietnamese peanut sauce can last for up to 1 week. The texture might become thicker after refrigeration, so you can let it sit in room temperature or warm slightly in the microwave for it to become less of a “paste” and more like a “dipping sauce”.
Before using the sauce, give it a good stir to combine any separated ingredients and adjust the seasoning if needed. If you notice any signs of spoilage, such as mold or an off smell, discard the sauce.
It’s always a good idea to check the sauce before using it, especially if it has been stored for a longer period.
Can I freeze this Vietnamese peanut sauce?
Yes, you can freeze Vietnamese peanut sauce for future use. To freeze the sauce, transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag. Make sure to leave some room for expansion as the sauce freezes.
When ready to use, thaw the sauce in the refrigerator overnight. Give it a good stir before serving to combine any separated ingredients. If the sauce has thickened after thawing, you can add a little hot water to adjust the consistency.
It’s worth noting that freezing may slightly change the texture of the sauce, but it will not affect the flavor significantly. Frozen Vietnamese peanut sauce can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Having a batch of frozen sauce on hand is convenient for quick and easy meals.
You’ll definitely want to add these Chicken Satay Skewers with Vietnamese Peanut Sauce to your dinner rotation. This will easily become a dish that adults and kids would love – plus it’s so fun eating food on skewers!
For those of you who meal prep, this recipe is just perfect because it’s so easy and versatile! You can make the chicken satays ahead and reheat for lunch or dinner later during the week. While chicken satay is traditionally an appetizer, we often serve it with rice as a main dish. The leftovers are also great on salads or turned into a wrap.
To make a quick Vietnamese peanut salad dressing from the satay sauce, adjust the thickness of the sauce with water and a rice vinegar or lime/lemon juice so that it has the consistency of a salad dressing.
Chicken Satay Skewers with Peanut Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp freshly grated ginger
- 1 tsp lemongrass paste
- 2 tbsps brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
- 2 tbsps fish sauce
- 2 pounds skinless boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- Bamboo skewers soaked in water
- Cilantro leaves and lime wedges for serving
For the peanut sauce:
- 1 tsp vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tbsps hoisin sauce
- 3 tbsps creamy peanut butter
- 1 tsp sambal chili paste more to taste
- water as needed
Instructions
- Combine the garlic, ginger, lemongrass paste, brown sugar, turmeric, and fish sauce in a mixing bowl. Place the chicken pieces in the marinade and gently toss until well coated. Cover and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or overnight.
- Thread the chicken pieces onto the skewers. Cook on a grill or grill pan over medium heat, brush with oil to prevent the meat from sticking. Grill the chicken satays for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, until cooked through.
- Meanwhile, saute garlic in oil over medium heat until fragrant. Remove from heat.
- Transfer the garlic to a bowl and mix in the rest of the peanut sauce ingredients until well combined. Gradually add warm water to the mixture, stirring constantly, until the desired consistency is reached.
- Serve with chicken satay and garnish with cilantro leaves and lime wedges.
