Sate Ayam
Indonesian grilled chicken skewers with peanut sauce
The recipe
Sate Ayam is the everyday chicken satay of Indonesia — sold by every street vendor, found in every city, the equivalent of a hamburger in terms of ubiquity. The marinade is simple: turmeric, coriander, garlic, shallots, and coconut milk, with palm sugar for sweetness. The skewers are grilled over charcoal, then served with a peanut sauce and a small drizzle of kecap manis. The dish is the cousin of Sate Madura (which uses thicker peanut sauce) and Sate Padang (which uses a yellow curry sauce). Sate Ayam is the lighter, simpler version — and often the one served at parties and family gatherings.
Ingredients
Method
💡 Tips from the kitchen
- ·Use chicken thigh, not breast. The fat keeps it juicy on the grill.
- ·Marinate at least 2 hours. The turmeric needs time to penetrate.
- ·Sate Ayam is best eaten fresh. The peanut sauce keeps well — make a big batch.
The story
Did you know?
🇮🇩 Indonesia has 17,000+ islands — only 6,000 are inhabited.
Cook it yourself
Sate Ayam is one of Indonesia's heritage dishes. Want to try the recipe at home?
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