Sate ayam is an Indonesian classic of marinated chicken threaded onto skewers, grilled over fire and served with creamy peanut sauce. It is a high-protein, boldly flavored street food favorite.
Written by
Ecem Akkaba · Dietitian
Dietitian, graduate of İstanbul Medipol University. She develops the recipes and nutrition values on FitZen.
Updated:
Chicken Satay (Sate Ayam) – Indonesian Grilled Skewers with Peanut Sauce contains 380 calories per serving: 34 g protein, 14 g carbohydrate and 20 g fat. It takes 45 minutes in total and makes 4 servings.
Sate ayam is an indispensable flavor of Indonesia's streets, where rows of smoking charcoal grills have become inseparable from the dish. The chicken is marinated in sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), coriander and turmeric, giving it its signature sweet-savory profile.
The marinated bite-sized pieces are threaded onto bamboo skewers and grilled quickly over charcoal, so the surface caramelizes while the inside stays juicy. The ground peanut sauce served alongside adds both protein and satisfying body.
When the chicken is trimmed lean and served with cucumber and pickles instead of heavy rice, sate ayam becomes a high-protein, balanced and thoroughly enjoyable meal.
Mix the kecap manis, half the garlic, coriander, turmeric, lime juice and oil to make the marinade.
Toss the chicken cubes in the marinade and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Thread the marinated chicken onto the soaked bamboo skewers.
For the sauce, blend the ground peanuts, remaining garlic, chili and a little water into a smooth paste.
Simmer the peanut sauce gently until it thickens, seasoning with kecap manis and lime.
Grill the skewers over medium-high heat, turning until charred and cooked through.
Brush the skewers with a little marinade while grilling to keep them moist.
Serve hot with the peanut sauce, rice cakes (lontong) or cucumber.
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