Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers
Add Preferred SourceThese aromatic Thai Chicken Skewers are loaded with flavor, easy to prepare, and perfect for any grilling occasion. With spicy, creamy notes of peanut and a kick of lime, it’s a total crowd-pleaser. Perfect for your next barbecue or a fun family dinner!
Why you will love making Thai Chicken Skewers
If you’re a fan of flavors that pop and dishes that come together without a fuss, Thai Chicken Skewers are for you. Here’s why:
- Quick Prep: These skewers marinate in just 15 minutes, so you can get to grilling in no time.
- Versatile Cooking Methods: Whether you have an outdoor grill, a grill pan, or even an indoor grill, these skewers will turn out great.
- Impressive but Easy: The end result looks as good as it tastes—perfect for impressing guests without any stress.
- Flavor-packed: With ingredients like red curry paste, fish sauce, and fresh lime, each bite is an explosion of Thai flavors.
- Diet-Friendly: This recipe can easily be adapted for gluten-free diets by swapping soy sauce for tamari.
- Fun to Serve: Thread these up, grill, and serve with a spicy peanut sauce for a hands-on, enjoyable meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make Thai Chicken Skewers with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Making Thai grilled chicken skewers is straightforward and fun, especially with these step-by-step instructions to guide you.
Prepare Your Skewers
Start by soaking the wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes. This prevents them from burning when you start grilling.
Make the Marinade
In a food processor, combine grated ginger, minced garlic, chopped lemongrass, red curry paste, the juice of one lime, sesame oil, and fish sauce.
Blitz until you have a smooth paste. If it’s a bit thick, a splash of water will thin it out.
Marinate the Chicken
Cut chicken thighs into 1 ½ inch cubes. Place them in a bowl and pour the marinade over the chicken.
Make sure every piece is well-coated. Let it sit and soak up the flavors for at least 15 minutes—longer if you have time!
Grill the Skewers
Thread the marinated chicken onto your prepared skewers. Fire up your grill to medium-high heat and grill the skewers until golden brown all around, which should take about 6-8 minutes per side.
Make the Peanut Sauce
While the chicken cooks, prepare the peanut dipping sauce. Mix creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, Sriracha (or red chili paste), lime juice, and honey in a bowl.
Add boiling hot water gradually until the sauce reaches your desired creaminess.
Serve and Enjoy
Lay out the grilled skewers on a tray. Serve them with the peanut sauce and sprinkle with freshly chopped herbs and crushed peanuts. Enjoy!
Ingredients
For the chicken skewers:
- 8 chicken thighs boneless and skinless, diced in 1 ½ inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger grated
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 1 lemongrass chopped
- 2 tablespoons red curry paste
- 1 lime squeezed
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- Wooden skewers
- Fresh herbs to serve
- Chopped peanuts to serve
Spicy peanut chili sauce:
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha or red chili paste
- 1 lime juiced
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2-4 tablespoons boiling hot water
Instructions
- Soak the wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.Wooden skewers
- Combine ginger, garlic, lemongrass, curry paste, lime, sesame oil and fish sauce in a food processor and process until smooth – if the consistency is too thick, you can add a bit of water.2 tablespoons fresh ginger, 1 lemongrass, 2 tablespoons red curry paste, 2 tablespoons sesame oil, 1 teaspoon fish sauce, 1 lime, 1 tablespoon garlic
- Place the mixture in a bowl and combine with the chicken. Let it marinade for at least 15 minutes.8 chicken thighs
- Insert the chicken in the skewers, they should be quite tight, and heat a grill to medium-high.
- Grill the chicken skewers until they are golden brown on all sides. Reserve.
- Combine peanut butter, soy sauce, sriracha, lime and honey. Start mixing and add the boiling water as needed to make a creamy sauce.1 lime, ½ cup creamy peanut butter, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon Sriracha or red chili paste, 1 tablespoon honey, 2-4 tablespoons boiling hot water
- Serve the skewers in a tray with the sauce, fresh herbs and peanuts.Fresh herbs, Chopped peanuts
Notes
- Chicken: Chicken breasts can be a leaner option and work just as well. Just keep an eye on the cooking time, as breasts tend to cook faster and can dry out if overcooked.
- Marinating Time: For deeper flavor, let the chicken marinate overnight in the fridge. The longer it marinates, the more pronounced the flavors will be.
- Skewer Alternatives: If you don’t have wooden skewers, metal skewers work just as well and don’t require soaking.
- Adjust the Heat: Not everyone loves the same level of spiciness. Adjust the amount of Thai red curry paste and Sriracha to suit your taste or your guests.
- Peanut Sauce: If you like a tangier peanut sauce, add more lime juice. For a sweeter touch, increase the honey slightly.
- Grilling: If you’re using an indoor grill pan, ensure good ventilation as it can get a bit smoky.
- Allergy-Friendly Version: For a nut-free option, substitute the peanut butter in the sauce with tahini or sunflower seed butter.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare and marinate the chicken a day in advance. Just keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to grill.
- What’s the best way to get the skewers to not stick to the grill? Make sure your grill is very hot and well-oiled before you add the skewers. This helps create a non-stick surface and gives the chicken a nice sear.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Cool: Allow the skewers to cool to room temperature before you pack them away.
- Refrigerate: Place the skewers in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. They’ll stay good for up to three days.
- Reheating: When you’re ready to eat, reheat the skewers in the oven, air fryer, or on the grill to get them nice and warm without drying out the chicken.
- Freezing: If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the skewers for up to a month. Just make sure they’re wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in a sealable bag. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Nutrition
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
Here are some handy tips and tweaks to help you perfect your Thai Chicken Skewers and add a personal twist:
- Chicken: Chicken breasts can be a leaner option and work just as well. Just keep an eye on the cooking time, as breasts tend to cook faster and can dry out if overcooked.
- Marinating Time: For deeper flavor, let the chicken marinate overnight in the fridge. The longer it marinates, the more pronounced the flavors will be.
- Skewer Alternatives: If you don’t have wooden skewers, metal skewers work just as well and don’t require soaking.
- Adjust the Heat: Not everyone loves the same level of spiciness. Adjust the amount of Thai red curry paste and Sriracha to suit your taste or your guests.
- Peanut Sauce: If you like a tangier peanut sauce, add more lime juice. For a sweeter touch, increase the honey slightly.
- Grilling: If you’re using an indoor grill pan, ensure good ventilation as it can get a bit smoky.
- Allergy-Friendly Version: For a nut-free option, substitute the peanut butter in the sauce with tahini or sunflower seed butter.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare and marinate the chicken a day in advance. Just keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to grill.
- What’s the best way to get the skewers to not stick to the grill? Make sure your grill is very hot and well-oiled before you add the skewers. This helps create a non-stick surface and gives the chicken a nice sear.
How to Store Leftover Thai Chicken Satay Skewers
Thai Chicken Skewers are easy to store if you’ve got extras. Let them cool to room temperature first, then transfer them to an airtight container and pop them in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for up to three days.
To reheat, you can warm them up in the oven, air fryer, or even on the grill—each method helps keep the chicken from drying out.
Want to freeze them? Just wrap the skewers tightly in plastic wrap, place them in a sealable freezer bag, and store for up to a month. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as usual.
Our Top 3 Money-Saving Tips for This Recipe
Looking to make Thai Chicken Skewers without breaking the bank? Here are three savvy ways to save:
- Buy Chicken in Bulk: Look for sales on chicken thighs and stock up.
- DIY Peanut Butter: Make peanut butter at home using bulk peanuts for a fresher, cost-effective option.
- Freeze Extras: Any unused ingredients like lemongrass or ginger can be minced and frozen for future use. Portion them out in a small ice cube tray and then move the frozen cubes to a freezer bag.
What to Serve with Thai Chicken Skewers
Here are some great options to pair with your Thai Chicken Skewers:
Fresh Cucumber Salad
A crisp cucumber salad is the perfect counterbalance to the rich, savory flavors of the skewers. Slice cucumbers thin, toss them with a little vinegar, sugar, salt, and a sprinkle of chili flakes for a refreshing side.
Steamed Jasmine Rice
Soft and fragrant jasmine rice makes an excellent base for the skewers. It absorbs the flavors of the peanut sauce beautifully, enhancing each bite.
Coconut Milk Soup
Consider making a light coconut milk soup with lemongrass, galangal, and chicken. It’s soothing, flavorful, and complements the robust flavors of the skewers.
