Weeknight satay flavour without the weeknight effort!
I get an unreasonable amount of satisfaction from this Speedy Satay Chicken recipe. It never fails me at that 5.30 pm moment when everyone’s hungry and I have absolutely no desire to start a complicated dinner. No chopping chicken (which I consider a major weeknight win), one pan, a quick simmer and suddenly the kitchen smells like satay – just in a weeknight-friendly, kid-friendly version without the skewers or marinating. It has all the cosy, peanutty takeaway flavour, but done the lazy-smart way. 😂
It’s absolutely not traditional, and it doesn’t need to be. Pantry staples, minced (ground) chicken and 20 minutes later you’ve got a glossy, creamy peanut sauce clinging to every piece. It tastes like effort, but the effort level is extremely low – exactly what you want from a fast midweek dinner.
The best part? The no-cook sides you can add. Pile it onto hot rice, add sliced cucumber and red onion for crunch, and chilli oil for anyone who wants it (me). Low effort, high reward – exactly what weeknights need.
What else can I serve with Speedy Satay Chicken?
Besides rice + cucumber + red onion (the classic), here are plenty of other easy options depending on what you’ve got and what kind of night it is:
- Noodles – Rice noodles, egg noodles or ramen noodles (toss through the sauce like a quick satay noodle bowl).
- Wraps/rolls – Stuff into tortillas, lettuce cups or rice paper rolls with cucumber, carrot and coriander (cilantro).
- Veggie sides (quick + no-fuss):
- Steamed broccolini (tenderstem broccoli), broccoli or green beans.
- Microwaved edamame.
- Stir-fried frozen veggies.
- Sautéed wombok (napa) cabbage with a splash of soy sauce.
- Salads (fresh + crunchy):
- Shredded carrot + cucumber + spring onion (scallion) + coriander (cilantro).
- Simple slaw (bagged coleslaw mix + fresh lime juice + pinch of sea salt) or make your own.
- Iceberg lettuce “satay bowls” with extra peanuts on top.
- If you want a change from rice:
- Quinoa.
- Roti or naan for scooping (not traditional, but elite).
- Toppings that make it feel extra:
- Extra crushed peanuts or cashews.
- Fried shallots.
- Sesame seeds.
- Fresh chilli or chilli oil.
- Lime wedges (non-negotiable!).
Is Speedy Satay Chicken spicy?
Nope – it’s mild, creamy and kid-friendly. The curry powder adds warmth and flavour, not heat. If you want it spicy, add chilli oil, fresh chilli, or a pinch of chilli (red pepper) flakes at the end.
If you enjoyed Speedy Satay Chicken, I think you’ll love:
Peanut Chicken Satay Recipe
Chicken Satay Skewers Recipe
Chicken Salad with Creamy Peanut Dressing Recipe
Creamy Coconut Peanut Noodles Recipe
Cold Sesame Peanut Pasta Salad Recipe
Speedy Satay Chicken
“This was so quick and easy. Can’t stop eating🤭” Share Pin Recipe PrintIngredients
- 400 ml (14 fl oz) coconut milk
- 125 ml (½ cup) chicken stock
- 90 g (⅓ cup) natural smooth peanut butter
- 1 tbsp kecap manis (see note 1)
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp light olive oil or any neutral oil of choice
- 1 brown onion, finely diced
- 1 tbsp freshly minced garlic
- 500 g (1 lb) minced (ground) chicken (can be substituted with turkey mince or pork mince)
- 2 tbsp water, if needed
- 1 tbsp mild curry powder
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp white sugar
- ½ tsp sea salt flakes, plus extra to taste
- Steamed jasmine rice or microwave rice
- 2 Lebanese (short/Persian) cucumbers, sliced
- ¼ red onion, sliced
- 40 g (¼ cup) crushed peanuts
- ¼ bunch fresh coriander (cilantro), leaves picked
- Lime wedges
- Chilli oil (optional)
Instructions
- Make the satay sauce – Place all the sauce ingredients in a jug and whisk until smooth. Set aside.
- Cook the chicken – Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium–high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, for 1–2 minutes. Add the chicken mince and cook, breaking it up as you go, for 3–4 minutes. Break the chicken up just enough – don’t over-stir. You want juicy, chunky pieces.
- Add the spices – Add the water to the pan to deglaze and scrape up any stuck-on bits if needed, followed immediately by the curry powder, turmeric, paprika, sugar and sea salt flakes.
- Add the satay sauce – Add the satay sauce and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 3–4 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy and creamy.
- Finish and serve – Turn off the heat, season with extra salt to taste. Spoon the chicken over hot rice and serve with cucumber, red onion, crushed peanuts, coriander, a squeeze of lime juice (essential) and a drizzle of chilli oil, if using.
Nutrition information
Disclaimer re gluten-free and dairy-free recipes
Leanne says:
Is this recipe in any of your books
Nicole says:
Hi Leanne, thanks so much for your comment! It’s not in either of my current books, but it just might make an appearance in my third one coming out in November 😉 Stay tuned! Nic x
Amanda Williams says:
I usually love your recipes but this one was lacking. I really felt like it need ginger and fish sauce.
Kay says:
This is tasty however I think next time I will add vegetables. I seem to have too much sauce as mine is a lot runnier than yours. Any ideas on what I did wrong?
Nicole says:
Hi Kay, thanks for your comment! Glad you enjoyed the flavour. A runnier sauce is usually down to one of two things: either the peanut butter brand (some are thinner than others) or the sauce just needed a bit more time to reduce. Next time, try letting it simmer uncovered for an extra few minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your liking. Nic x
Jess says:
My daughter barely eats all her dinner let alone go back for seconds… she went back for seconds!!
First meal she has scoffed in a long time.
So quick and full of flavour.
Nicole says:
Just love hearing this, Jess! 🙌🏻 I totally get what a win this is! Thanks for the rating too. 🥰 Nic x
Kelly B says:
So delicious, and just as good as any takeaway! I subbed the chicken with tofu (roasted for 15 mins in sesame oil) and chopped mushrooms. No coconut milk, so used oat milk. Followed the recipe and “hey-presto”, a delicious and homemade taste sensation! Thank you!
Nicole says:
Thanks for the lovely feedback, Kelly … so glad this was a hit! 🙌🏻 Loved hearing your tweaks too! Thanks for the rating. 😊 Nic x
Beth says:
This is such a beautiful recipe, my kids and husband gave it 10/10!! I have to thank you so much your recipes have revolutionised my cooking, I now have a repertoire of lovely dinners and I am now enjoying cooking so much more!! Thank you Nicole 🥰
Nicole says:
Aww, thank you so much Beth! 🥹 I’m beyond thrilled you are all enjoying the recipes. Thanks for the rating too. 🥰 Nic x
Emilija says:
This was absolutely delicious. It will definitely be on high rotation for weeknight dinners! Love your recipes so much. Thank you!
Nicole says:
Hi Emilija, thank you so much for your lovely comments! 🧡 So happy the chicken was a hit for you. Thanks for the rating. 😊 Nic x
RK says:
Hi, I don’t usually comment on these boards but I really liked this recipe! I made a couple small modifications that I think really brought out the flavor that people might want to try:
1) I air fried the chicken for ~15 mins after letting it marinate in the spices and oil.
2) While air frying the chicken, I carmalized the diced onions, and then added 3 diced garlic cloves along with 1 crushed cardamom pod, 1 bay leaf, and 1 clove for a bit of extra warm rich spice.
3) After the onions and garlic browned, I added the peanut sauce and let it reduce and then added the chicken back in and then simmered for 5 before serving.
Bit of extra legwork (extra 15ish mins), but the result was super worthwhile!
Nicole says:
Hi RK, thanks so much for sharing this feedback!! Sounds brilliant! 🙌🏻 Nic x
Lauren says:
I make this all the time now, it’s so easy and delicious. Tried with ground turkey today and it was great too. Toddler goes nuts for it and it’s very easy to hide veggies in.
Gemma Thomson says:
Can I ask which veg you are sneaking in? I’m trying spinach tonight, but it’s unfortunately very green so not easy to hide to a 2 year old
Nicole says:
Hi Gemma, thanks for your comment! Ha, I feel your pain. The green is always a giveaway! I like to sneak in finely grated zucchini or carrot as they sort of disappear into the sauce. Finely diced mushrooms also work well as they take on the colour and flavour of whatever they’re cooked in. Spinach is great nutritionally but you’re right, it’s hard to hide with a little one! Nic x
Nicole says:
Hi Lauren, thanks for this wonderful feedback! So happy you love the recipe. 🙌🏻 And yep, isn’t it such a win when our little eaters love it (and we can sneak in those veggies!). Thanks so much for the rating. 🥰 Nic x
Sarah says:
This is so yum. I make it all the time and it’s a great way to use chicken mince and not have to touch it with my hands haha! I cook your recipes every day. They’re always lovely. Thank you!
Nicole says:
Hi Sarah, I’m beyond thrilled to hear you cook my recipes every day! Wow! 🥰🙌🏻 So happy this was a hit for you and thanks for the rating too. 😊 Nic x
Georgie says:
I made this today for lunch, and to put away for lunches. My peanut butter was a tad hard… so it clumped together and I used oat milk as I didn’t have any coconut milk. It was super tasty stil and I didn’t mind the extra chunk of peanut butteryness! Haha I didn’t have any peanuts to top it with so used crunchy peanut butter! DELISH! Thank you lunch done for a few days, it’s a shame my husband doesn’t eat it, now I have to have it alllll to myself!
Nicole says:
So happy you are enjoying this, Georgie, and have some stashed for the next few days! Yes, pity you will have to eat the lot! 🤣👏🏻 Nic x
Allyson says:
I subbed tofu and veg broth to make it veg and used rice noodles- great lunch prep, 3yo approved. Thanks!
Nicole says:
Love the sound of how you made this, Allyson! 👏🏻 So happy your little eater approved. Thanks for the rating too. 😊 Nic x