Healthy 21 Day Fix Chicken Satay with Creamy Peanut Sauce: A Flavorful & Easy Recipe
Get ready to elevate your culinary game with this incredible 21 Day Fix Chicken Satay with Creamy Peanut Sauce! It’s not just a dish; it’s a healthy and delicious reinterpretation of one of my all-time favorite appetizers. Whether you’re hosting a vibrant party, seeking a light yet satisfying dinner, or planning a flavorful lunch, these chicken satay skewers are an absolute winner. I especially love pairing them with my refreshing Ramen Noodle Salad for a complete and wholesome meal.
The Unexpected Joys of Work and Culinary Creation
Confession time: I’m currently filled with a surprising mix of guilt and pure joy as I write this post. The truth is, I’m legitimately thrilled to be sitting here, engrossed in my work, completely alone and – the ultimate luxury – uninterrupted. As much as I adore spending every second with my children, these moments of focused creation feel like a much-needed breath of fresh air amidst the beautiful chaos of summer.
This summer has been a delightful challenge, a constant tug-of-war between cherishing every moment of my kids’ “littleness” and dedicating time to my passion for work. Finding that delicate balance between family life and professional fulfillment is a journey many parents understand deeply. And honestly, it often feels like I’m trying to be in two places at once.
But then there’s this job, this creative outlet, which I absolutely adore. The sense of accomplishment that washes over me after completing a task, no matter how small, is incredibly rewarding. Just last week, finally capturing the perfect photos of these Curry Chicken Satay Skewers felt like crossing a finish line – an achievement akin to running a marathon or conquering a mountain peak. The images might have sat on my camera for a week, but the satisfaction of a job well done has been a persistent high ever since. And now, I’m practically bursting with excitement to share this dreamy recipe with all of you. I genuinely cannot wait for you to experience its incredible flavors!
Crafting the Perfect Healthy Chicken Satay
Bringing this particular recipe to perfection took a bit of time and dedication, especially when it came to the star of the show: the creamy peanut sauce. But trust me, every minute was worth it. I truly believe you’re going to love the result!
My initial attempts included a version with coconut milk, mirroring traditional satay, but I found that it didn’t significantly enhance the flavor profile for this particular recipe. And as someone committed to the 21 Day Fix principles, I’m always looking for ways to “save the blues” (those precious healthy fat containers!). By omitting the coconut milk, we achieve a lighter sauce without sacrificing any of that rich, authentic taste. My husband certainly didn’t complain about the multiple “test batches” – he’s always a happy taste-tester! While I don’t think any of the early versions were truly “wrong,” this final iteration of our Curry Chicken Satay Skewers has undoubtedly become our family’s favorite. It’s a testament to how slight adjustments can create something truly exceptional.
The Secret to the Dreamy Peanut Sauce
While I initially hoped to create a peanut sauce that simply needed to be stirred together, the truth is, this quick-cooking version is what dreams are made of. It still comes together incredibly fast, offering a depth of flavor that a cold sauce simply can’t match. And fair warning: once you try it, you might find yourself putting it on, well, everything! The rich, savory, and subtly sweet notes, balanced with a hint of spice and tang from the lime, make it utterly addictive.
Why You’ll Love This 21 Day Fix Chicken Satay
- Health-Conscious & Delicious: This recipe perfectly aligns with the 21 Day Fix eating plan, offering a low-calorie, high-protein meal without sacrificing an ounce of flavor. It’s proof that healthy eating can be incredibly satisfying.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: Serve it as an impressive appetizer at your next gathering, or turn it into a wholesome main course for a weeknight dinner. It’s also fantastic for meal prep, providing delicious leftovers.
- Explosion of Flavor: The marinade, infused with aromatic ginger, garlic, curry, and lime, deeply flavors the chicken. Coupled with the rich, creamy peanut sauce, every bite is a delightful journey for your taste buds.
- Easy to Make: Despite its gourmet taste, this recipe is surprisingly straightforward to prepare. With just a little marinating time, it cooks up quickly on the grill, making it ideal for busy schedules.
- Homemade Peanut Sauce: Forget store-bought! Our quick-cooking peanut sauce is made from scratch with simple ingredients, giving you superior taste and control over what goes into your meal.
Tips for Perfect Chicken Satay Every Time
- Marination Matters: Don’t skip the marination step! Letting the chicken soak in the flavorful marinade for at least two hours (or better yet, overnight) infuses it with incredible taste and helps tenderize the meat.
- Uniform Thickness: Pound your chicken tenderloins to an even thickness. This ensures they cook evenly and quickly on the grill, preventing some pieces from drying out while others are still cooking.
- Soak Wooden Skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken. This prevents them from burning on the grill.
- Grilling vs. Other Methods: Grilling gives the best smoky flavor and char, but you can also cook the skewers in a hot pan (cast iron works great!) or bake them in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Adjust Spice to Your Liking: The recipe calls for a moderate amount of chili paste or sriracha. Feel free to adjust this up or down based on your personal preference for heat.
- Serving Suggestions: Beyond the Ramen Noodle Salad, serve your satay with brown rice, quinoa, steamed broccoli, a simple cucumber salad, or even cauliflower rice for an extra veggie boost.
I want to extend a HUGE thank you for sticking around this summer, even when my focus has been heavily on my kids. It means the world to me. I have so many more recipes I am absolutely dying to share with you all; some days I feel like I could literally burst with excitement! Fall is fast approaching, and then you’ll have to put up with me lamenting how much I miss my kids and wondering why summer went by so fast. But until then, thank you so, so much for your continued support.
Enjoy this fantastic Curry Chicken Satay and savor the rest of summer, my friends! <3
Chicken Satay with Creamy Peanut Sauce
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins pounded to uniform thickness
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos or sub low sodium soy sauce
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger minced
- 2 teaspoon curry powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili paste or sriracha or more if you like spice, less if you don’t
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
For the Peanut Sauce
- 2/3 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons coconut aminos or sub low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3/4 teaspoon curry powder or more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon chili paste or sriracha or more to taste
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1-2 tablespoons water if necessary
- Sprinkle salt
Instructions
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In a large mixing bowl or ziplock bag, make the satay marinade by mixing everything under the chicken ingredients except for the chicken. Add the chicken and toss to coat evenly. Cover and place in the refrigerator for two hours or overnight (my fav!). If you plan to grill with wooden skewers, be sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes prior to grilling.
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While the chicken is marinating, combine the chicken broth, peanut butter, honey, coconut aminos, ginger and garlic in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce to low, stirring frequently. Cook for several minutes or until the sauce is smooth and has thickened. Remove from heat and whisk in curry powder, chili paste, and lime juice. Sprinkle with salt and just seasonings to taste. If you want a thinner sauce, just add a little water. Set sauce aside or store in the refrigerator until the chicken is ready.
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After the chicken is fully marinated, preheat grill and thread chicken onto skewers. Grill the chicken until cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Sprinkle with crushed peanuts and fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges and the peanut sauce.
Notes
WW: 8 points (per serving)
Nutrition
