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Chicken Satés

These fragrant chicken satés are a wonderful way to enjoy authentic South East Asian flavours at home. By using skinless chicken thighs, the meat remains succulent and tender throughout the grilling process, while the marinade of shallots, garlic, and fish sauce provides a deep savoury punch. The contrast between the slightly charred exterior and the juicy middle makes these skewers a perennial crowd-pleaser that works beautifully as a light dinner or a sophisticated party snack.

As part of a diabetes-friendly diet, this recipe prioritises high-quality lean protein and uses just a touch of sugar for caramelisation. Serving these skewers with a vibrant red-curry peanut dipping sauce adds a rich, nutty finish without the need for heavy sides. They are best enjoyed fresh from the grill alongside a crisp cucumber salad or steamed greens for a balanced, health-conscious meal the whole family will love.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Chicken Satés

  • 675g skinless boneless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips

  • 90g finely chopped shallots (about 3)

  • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

  • 1 tablespoon packed palm or dark brown sugar

  • 1/4 teaspoons black pepper

  • 2 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil

  • 2 tablespoons Asian fish sauce

  • 1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine or sake

  • 1/4 teaspoons salt

  • Accompaniment: red-curry peanut dipping sauce .

  • about 30 (6-inch) wooden skewers, soaked in water 1 hour

How to make Chicken Satés

Combine chicken with shallots, garlic, palm sugar, pepper, oil, fish sauce, rice wine, and salt in a sealable plastic bag and turn to coat chicken, then squeeze bag to eliminate as much air as possible and seal. Marinate chicken, chilled, at least 12 hours but no longer than 24.

Thread each chicken strip lengthwise onto a skewer, keeping strip as straight as possible. Discard any remaining marinade.

Prepare grill for cooking over medium-hot charcoal (moderate heat for gas).

Grill skewers, turning over once, until chicken is cooked through, about 4 minutes total.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 17 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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