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
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.
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
Kat says:
This my first time cooking one of your recipes and man am I impressed!!
Nicole says:
Hi Kat, welcome to Simple Home Edit! 👋🏻 I’m so excited that you loved your first recipe. 🙌🏻 I hope you try and enjoy many more! Thanks for the rating. 🧡 Nic x
Pippa Kyanga says:
Every time I take this recipe to work
As left overs I get comments that it smells amazing. I have passed the recipe on at least 5 times. everyone loves it.
Nicole says:
Hi Pippa, I smiled when I read this feedback! So happy that you love the chicken and even happier that so many others wanted the recipe! Yay! 🙌🏻 Thanks for the rating too. 🧡 Nic x
Gemma Thomson says:
Love this dish so much I want to make it for the next family gathering! Do you think you could use quorn mince for this instead of chicken? My sister is vegetarian but I’d ideally like to make the same dish but without the meat
Nicole says:
Hi Gemma! I love this idea – such a nice way to make it work for everyone. 😊 Yes, you can use Quorn mince in this recipe. I’d recommend cooking it off first (following the packet instructions), then adding the sauce and letting it simmer for a few minutes so it can soak up all that flavour. Because it doesn’t release as much moisture as chicken mince, you may just need to add a small splash of water or stock if the sauce feels a little thick. It will be slightly different in texture, but still really delicious. Nic x
Shar says:
For how quick and easy this was, I did NOT expect this to turn out sooooo freaking good! Shortest cook time with the highest pay-off is what i look for in a recipe, and this is up there with the tastiest, quickest and easiest! Thank you! 🫶
Nicole says:
Hi Shar, so thrilled you loved this! 🙌🏻 Loved your feedback and thanks for the rating too. 🧡 Nic x
Tess Vague says:
I have been searching far and wide for YEARS for a decent at home satay chicken recipe and this is absolutely 10/10 for both taste and convenience. Thank you 🙏
Nicole says:
So happy to hear this, Tess! 🙌🏻 Thanks for the rating too. 🧡 Nic x
Jessica says:
Do you have recommendations for which Peanut butter to use? I have a natural one (that splits in the jar) or does the recipe suit something simple like Bega peanut butter? Thank you! Xx
Nicole says:
Hi Jessica, Yes, you can use regular Bega peanut butter. Just keep in mind it’s a little sweeter and saltier than natural peanut butter, and, because it’s thicker, it can be a bit harder to incorporate smoothly into the sauce. I’d recommend starting with the peanut butter and adding a little boiling water to it first to loosen and emulsify it, then whisking in the remaining ingredients. If you can get your hands on natural peanut butter, it is worth it for this recipe as it blends more easily and gives a more balanced flavour – but either will still work! 🧡 Nic x
Gemma says:
This is delicious, my husband, 2 year old and parents loved it. Still working on the 5 year old though, maybe one day! Do you think there’s a veg you could add to the chicken? 2 year old will eat veg in food but not when it’s on the side 🤷🏻♀️
Nicole says:
Hi Gemma, thank you so much – I’m so glad everyone loved it (and yes … I’m still waiting for my kids to come around to some of the dishes I make! 😅) For this one, I’d keep it really simple – baby spinach works beautifully stirred through at the end as it wilts straight into the sauce. You could also add some frozen peas, or even finely shredded cabbage or wombok (napa) cabbage, which soften quickly and mix through really well. Hope that helps! Nic x
Bev says:
I was blown away at this delicious meal recipe…straightforward to follow an delivers a really tasty meal. My son and I loved it. Will 100% be making on repeat.
Nicole says:
So excited to hear this, Bev! 🙌🏻 Thanks for the rating too. 🧡 Nic x