This Paleo Chicken Satay with Sunbutter Sauce is a take on the popular Thai dish. Marinated chicken that is grilled then dipped in a flavorful sauce. Gluten free, dairy free, nut free, low carb and low fodmap.
Just a note: I am not claiming this recipe to be authentic satay. I am taking a traditional recipe and making it paleo and low fodmap which means some adjustments. It is very flavorful, delicious, and as close to the original as possible.
I loosely followed a recipe I found on the Food Network website. I made it dairy free by using coconut milk in the marinade, soy free by using coconut aminos instead of soy sauce and of course I left out the sugar which isn't necessary to be tasty. The result was more delicious than I was expecting. I knew they would be good, but they turned out amazing!
Chicken Satay serving sauce
Chicken Satay is usually served with a savory peanut dipping sauce. Since peanuts aren't paleo I used Sunbutter and it worked so well. I think Sunbutter has the closest taste and texture as peanut butter. You could also use cashew butter or almond butter if you want. Of course you can use peanut butter if that works for your diet. The sauce is smooth, flavorful and pairs perfectly with with chicken.
Chicken Satay Marinade and Sauce
The marinade is thick, like you may think it's too thick, but it will work. It's not as liquidy as traditional marinades, but that's exactly how it should be.
The sauce is smooth and creamy, but it takes some good mixing it get it that way. When you add the coconut aminos, water, and lime juice to the Sunbutter it won't mix right away. Be patient and keep stirring. It will come together and be perfectly smooth.
Skewering the chicken
I made these skewers a couple times to make sure they were perfect. A trick I learned with putting the chicken on the stick was to push the stick straight through the chicken, don't weave it back and forth. This exposes less stick and the chicken stays better on it.
You definitely need to add these paleo chicken satay with SunButter sauce to your grilling list this summer! Everyone will love them because they are flavorful, juicy, and the sauce adds even more deliciousness.
Here are a couple more grilling recipes you will love: Paleo Whole30 Oven Baked Ribs, The Best Paleo Whole30 Marinade, and Paleo Whole30 Grilled Gyro Burgers.
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Paleo Chicken Satay with Sunbutter Sauce
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 1 cup full fat coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breast cut into 1 inch strips
Sunbutter Sauce
- ½ cup No Sugar Added SunButter
- 2 tablespoons coconut aminos
- ⅓ cup warm water
- ½ tablespoon hot sauce *
- 1 tablespoon garlic oil
- juice of 1 lime
Instructions
- If using wooden skewers, soak in water for at least 2 hours before grilling.
- In a medium bowl, combine coconut milk, curry powder, ginger, garlic oil and salt. Stir well. Add in the chicken and mix until all the chicken is coated. Let marinate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight. If it's just 1 hour then leaving it on the counter top is fine. Otherwise cover it and place it in the fridge.
- While the chicken is marinating, make the sauce. Combine Sunbutter, coconut aminos, warm water, hot sauce, garlic oil, and lime juice. Stir slowly until completely mixed. This may take a couple minutes, but just keep stirring, it will come together. Cover and keep in the fridge until needed.
- Once the chicken has marinated, skewer each piece. Grill on medium/high heat for 3-4 minutes per side, or until done. This will ultimately depend on the size of the chicken pieces.
- Serve with sauce.
Raeann says
Hi there. Love your recipes!!
I have a question about the garlic oil. I have never used it in cooking. Any recommendations? I found an olive oil garlic oil blend. will this work?
Jessica DeMay says
Hey- yes, that would work great. This is mostly used bc at the time I couldn't have garlic powder, but can now. So 1/2 teaspoon garlic can be used as well. I hope that makes sense.
Merry says
Can I use coconut butter instead of coconut milk?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Merry- no, that won't work. Those are very different ingredients. You can use coconut butter to make coconut milk by blending it with water. Hope that helps.
Kate says
Holy cow, this is so good!! I did my food prepping yesterday and just had this for lunch today. Amazingly good!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Kate! So glad you like it!
Emily Johnson says
Very excited to try this tomorrow. Do you think you could also marinate shrimp in the same marinade recipe for shrimp satay?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Emily- sorry I am just seeing this! I think tat would work great. Enjoy!
Georgie says
Satay is my absolute fave dish! I haven't tried using sunflower seed butter so gonna give this a whirl - love it <3
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Georgie!
Darryl says
I haven't had Satay chicken for a while, now's the time to get back to it!
Jessica DeMay says
I hope you try it, Darryl!
STACEY CRAWFORD says
Satay chicken is a favorite Thai dish with my family! Great healthy version. Thanks.
Jessica DeMay says
You're welcome, Stacey!