These Indonesian grilled chicken skewers (sate ayam Madura) with homemade sauce are tender, juicy, flavorful, and perfect for the summer grilling season. Learn how to make authentic Indonesian sate ayam (chicken satay) served with peanut sauce that you want to drizzle on everything.
If you’re familiar with Indonesian food, you might have heard about sate ayam or grilled chicken skewers which Indonesia is famous for. These chicken skewers are a must-have (or must-try) when you travel to Indonesia. They taste different than any meat skewers because the chicken gets marinated overnight with Indonesian spices.
Where to eat Indonesian sate ayam
There are lots of variations of chicken skewers since Indonesia has hundreds of ethnic groups and each region has its own specialties when it comes to chicken skewers. The ingredients they used varied from place to place. Balinese people use lemongrass for their skewers, creating a uniquely beautiful flavor when done.
However, the most popular version comes from Madura. Hence, sate ayam Madura or chicken skewer is the type that people sell. You can easily spot sate ayam almost anywhere in Indonesia, from street vendors to restaurants, such as Sate Khas Senayan that specializes in chicken satay.
Living in San Francisco is quite a challenge for me at the beginning because there aren’t many Indonesian restaurants in the city. On top of that, not all of the restaurants served ‘authentic’ Indonesian dishes. Most probably, I can recommend only one or two that are close to Indonesian tastebuds, while the others are either too oily or used too many canned ingredients. Fast forward to today, there are lots of homemakers who sell chicken skewers or you can also cook your own with premade sauce or follow this recipe.
The ingredients
Making sate ayam is incredibly easy; however, it takes time to thread each skewer. Here’s a list of ingredients you need:
- Chicken. Some people prefer dark meat (chicken thighs) because it is juicier; however, I prefer white meat (chicken breast)
- Lime. You will need kaffir lime leaves and fresh lime juice
- Shallots, garlic, candlenuts, chicken bouillon to make the peanut sauce
- Brown sugar, salt to balance the taste
- Peanut butter for the sauce
- Sweet soy sauce for the sauce and marinade
- Wooden or bamboo skewers to thread your meat
How to make Indonesian grilled chicken skewers (sate ayam Madura)
- In a blender, combine the shallot, garlic, and candlenut and blend until smooth.
- Stir fry the garlic mixture with cooking oil until fragrant. Add the peanut butter, brown sugar, water, salt, chicken bouillon cubed, kaffir lime leaves and cook under low heat for 2 minutes. Add the sweet soy sauce.
- Cook until a thick mixture forms. Remove from heat and set aside.
- On a plate, combine 3 tbsp. cooked peanut sauce, 3 tbsp sweet soy sauce and freshly squeezed lime.
- Thread 4-5 pieces of chicken pieces into each skewer.
- Set aside for 15 minutes and grill until done.
- To serve: Add the rest of peanut sauce on top of chicken skewers and 1 tbs sweet soy sauce. Add shallots and chopped chilies on top or on the side.
Best way to cook Indonesian sate
Other than using fresh ingredients, I recommend you to use charcoal to cook the chicken satay. I use Kingsford Charcoal from Home Depot, which makes a perfect grill. I love Home Depot, and it feels like my second home because we often go here, even just for sightseeing. Check out the nearest Home Depot to pick up your Kingsford Charcoal. And Kingsford Charcoal is very easy to use. If you check their website, it will give you complete tutorials, from arranging the coal, lighting them up, and even smoking the meat, and this recipe page will inspire you. Their product is not rocket science; but the best part is that they give you maximum flavor.
Best way to enjoy sate ayam
The best pair to enjoy sate ayam is lontong or compressed rice cake. But they also taste better with steam rice or garlic rice!
Storing
It’s hard to keep sate ayam leftovers, but you can always turn it into chicken satay bowl. And if you have extra peanut sauce, pair it with tofu satay.
What is so special about these grilled chicken skewers
The below recipe is very simple, using only common ingredients, but guaranteed to make your tastebuds dance. In this recipe, I’m grilling the skewers on charcoal. Sometimes I also use my electric grill for grilling, but the results tasted very different from charcoal ones.
Grilled Chicken Skewers (Sate Ayam Madura)
Ingredients
- 500 gr boneless skinless chicken thigh or breast cut into 2 x 3 cm
- 20 wooden or bamboo skewers soaked in water
- Juice of 1 lime
Peanut Sauce:
- 3 shallots
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tbs sweet soy sauce kecap manis
- 5 candlenuts
- 2 tbs brown sugar
- 3/4 cup water
- 3 tbs cooking oil
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 block chicken bouillon cubes
- 2 kaffir lime leaves
Instructions
- In a blender, combine the shallot, garlic, and candlenut and blend until smooth
- Stir fry the garlic mixture with cooking oil until fragrant. Add the peanut butter, brown sugar, water, salt, chicken bouillon cubed, kaffir lime leaves and cook under low heat for 2 minutes. Add the sweet soy sauce
- Cook until a thick mixture forms. Remove from heat and set aside
- On a plate, combine 3 tablespoons cooked peanut sauce, 3 tablespoons sweet soy sauce and freshly squeezed lime.
- Thread 4-5 pieces of chicken pieces into each skewer
- Set aside for 15 minutes and grill until done
- To serve: Add the rest of peanut sauce on top of chicken skewers and 1 tablespoon sweet soy sauce. Add shallots and chopped chilies on top or on the side
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
Linda – these look amazing. I was not aware of the difference in taste between grilling on a gas grill and charcoal. Good to know. The chicken skewers looks absolutely delicious!
Admin says
Indonesian skewers are always grilled with charcoal grill… giving them the special taste. Thanks for visiting, Allie 🙂
Michelle @ Blackberry Babe says
I agree that charcoal tastes so much different than gas! We love using charcoal. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Admin says
You’re welcome, Michelle 🙂
ashley says
Yum! We love grilling out and this recipe sounds delicious! Saving to try soon 🙂
Admin says
Thanks, Ashley 🙂
Sarah B says
These skewers look so good that I’m pretty sure I would eat that whole plate!! Yum! #client
Admin says
Hahaha… thanks for visiting, Sarah 🙂
Claire says
Oh yummy! Maybe I’ll make these tonight!
Admin says
Great 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
These chicken skewers look amazing, Linda! Love all the flavors!
Admin says
Thanks, Kelly 🙂
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) says
The flavor in this looks absolutely fantastic!
Admin says
Glad you like it 🙂
Joy | The Joyful Foodie says
I’m pretty sure I’ve never had authentic Indonesian satay, so I’m pretty excited to try this out! My Malaysian uncle said that the secret to authentic Malaysian flavors is the sweet soy sauce, so it made me smile to see that on the ingredient list. 🙂
Admin says
Glad you like it, Joy 🙂
Jen says
My family loved it!