Air Fryer Satay Chicken
Why this recipe works
- Layered satay-style flavour: Peanut butter, soy sauce, coconut milk, lime and warm spices create a savoury, nutty sauce with gentle acidity and depth.
- Fast cooking: Boneless chicken thighs cook quickly in the air fryer while staying juicy and well coated in the marinade.
- Fresh balance: Lime in the marinade and cucumber on the side cut through the richness of the peanut sauce.
Get the most out of this recipe
Authenticity notes
- Air-fryer adaptation: Traditional satay is commonly skewered and grilled; this version keeps the peanut-rich flavour profile but uses the air fryer for everyday convenience.
- Peanut sauce pairing: Serving the chicken with a warm peanut-based dipping sauce is central to the satay-style character of the dish.
Ingredient notes
- Use smooth peanut butter: Smooth peanut butter blends more easily with coconut milk and soy sauce, giving the dipping sauce a glossy, spoonable finish.
- Adjust the lime to taste: Add a little extra lime if the sauce tastes too rich, or keep it gentler for a rounder, nuttier flavour.
Common mistakes
- Do not overcrowd the basket: Arrange the chicken in a single layer so the air can circulate and the edges can char rather than steam.
- Watch the marinade: Peanut butter and sugar can catch if excess marinade is left too thick on the chicken, so blotting off heavy coating helps prevent scorching.
- Warm the sauce gently: Keep the reserved sauce over a low heat and avoid boiling, which can make it split or thicken too aggressively.
Make-ahead tips
- Prepare the sauce ahead: The peanut mixture can be whisked together in advance and kept chilled until you are ready to marinate and cook.
- Reheat without drying: Reheat the chicken in the air fryer at 180°C (355°F) until piping hot, and warm the sauce separately over a low heat.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Finely grate the garlic into a bowl. Whisk in the peanut butter, soy sauce, juice of the lime, coconut milk, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground turmeric and brown sugar until smooth. Reserve about a third of this mixture for dipping, then chill it while the chicken cooks.
- Add the chicken thighs to the remaining marinade and turn well to coat. Leave to marinate for 10 minutes at room temperature while you preheat the air fryer to 200°C (390°F).
- Lightly oil the air-fryer basket, then lay the chicken in a single layer (cook in batches if needed). Air-fry for 14 to 18 minutes, turning halfway, until lightly charred at the edges and cooked through.
- Tip the reserved sauce into a small saucepan and warm gently over a low heat for 2 to 4 minutes, stirring, until hot and glossy. Do not let it boil; add a splash more coconut milk if you want it looser.
- Slice the cucumber into sticks or half-moons. Serve the chicken hot with the warm dipping sauce and the cucumber alongside.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For maximum char, avoid overcrowding the basket and blot off excess marinade from the chicken before air-frying.
- If you are cooking for someone who is pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised, make sure the chicken is fully cooked through and piping hot before serving.
Substitutions
- Replace vegetable oil with sesame oil for a toastier finish.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Cool the chicken promptly, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C (355°F) for 4 to 6 minutes until piping hot; warm the sauce gently in a saucepan over a low heat.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 3 servings
- Total time: 45min (20min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Indonesian
-
Allergens:
Peanuts Soybeans
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