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Weeknight satay flavour without the weeknight effort!

Speedy Satay Chicken Recipe with chilli crisp and crushed peanuts
Glossy peanut sauce, crunchy peanuts and chilli oil for anyone who wants it (me). Seriously easy and delicious.

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. 😂

Speedy chicken mince satay recipe ingredients
Minced (ground) chicken, onion, garlic and pantry spices – no marinating, no chopping meat, just straight into the pan.

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.

Satay sauce ingredients mixed in jug
Whisk the sauce smooth before cooking so the peanut butter melts in evenly later.
Cook chicken mince in pan with spices
Break the minced (ground) chicken into chunks, not crumbs – this keeps it juicy and holds the sauce better.
Satay spices added to chicken mince
Toast the spices briefly in the pan to wake up the satay flavour.
Chicken Mince Satay in serving spoon
Simmer until glossy and thick – it should coat the spoon, not look watery.

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!).
Speedy Satay Chicken Recipe top view closeup
Creamy satay sauce clings to every piece of chicken – thick but still saucy for rice.

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. 

Top view Speedy Satay Chicken Recipe with sliced cucumber and red onion sides
Fresh cucumber and onion balance the richness – don’t skip them!

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 Recipe with chilli crisp and crushed peanuts

Speedy Satay Chicken

Author: Nicole
5 from 28 votes
“This was so quick and easy. Can’t stop eating🤭”
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This Speedy Satay Chicken recipe is a quick, minced (ground) chicken dinner ready in under 20 minutes. Juicy chicken is simmered in a creamy coconut peanut sauce that coats every piece, perfect served over rice with fresh toppings. An easy weeknight, family-friendly dinner that delivers takeaway-style flavour with minimal effort.
Prep 5 minutes
Cook 10 minutes
Total 15 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

Satay Sauce
  • 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
Chicken 
  • 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
To Serve 
  • 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

Nutrition Facts
Speedy Satay Chicken
Amount per Serving
Calories
649
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
52
g
80
%
Saturated Fat
 
25
g
156
%
Trans Fat
 
0.1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
6
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
18
g
Cholesterol
 
108
mg
36
%
Sodium
 
722
mg
31
%
Potassium
 
1127
mg
32
%
Carbohydrates
 
21
g
7
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
10
g
11
%
Protein
 
31
g
62
%
Vitamin A
 
272
IU
5
%
Vitamin C
 
4
mg
5
%
Calcium
 
60
mg
6
%
Iron
 
6
mg
33
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Disclaimer re gluten-free and dairy-free recipes

Watch how to make it

Recipe notes

Note 1 – To make your own kecap manis Combine equal parts soy sauce or tamari with sugar and either simmer gently in a small saucepan on the stovetop for 2 minutes, or microwave in a microwave-safe container in 30-second bursts, until thickened.

Make Ahead

See leftover instructions below.

Leftovers

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw completely overnight in the fridge prior to reheating.

Recipe source

Thank you Jessica Brook for your help developing this recipe.

Equipment

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Course 20 Minutes or Less, chicken, Fakeaway, Family Favourites
Cuisine Asian-inspired