Sate Ayam

Sate Ayam, or chicken satay, is one of Indonesia’s most beloved street foods. This dish consists of marinated, grilled chicken skewers that are often paired with a rich and savory peanut sauce. It’s a staple at Indonesian food stalls, where it’s commonly served with ketupat (rice cakes wrapped in palm leaves). With a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors, sate ayam offers a mouth-watering taste of Indonesian culinary tradition.

Ingredients:

For the Chicken:

• 500g boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

• 10-12 bamboo skewers (soaked in water to prevent burning)

For the Marinade:

• 3 tablespoons sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)

• 1 tablespoon lime juice

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

• 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric

For the Peanut Sauce:

• 250g peanuts, fried

• 3 kaffir lime leaves

• 5 red curly chilies

• 8 shallots

• 6 cloves garlic

• 5 candlenuts

• 3 tablespoons brown sugar or palm sugar

• 700ml water

Instructions:

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

In a bowl, combine the sweet soy sauce, lime juice, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Mix well to create a flavorful marinade. Add the chicken pieces, ensuring each piece is coated in the marinade. Let the chicken sit for at least 30 minutes for the flavors to infuse—overnight for even better taste.

Step 2: Prepare the Skewers

Once marinated, thread the chicken pieces onto bamboo skewers, leaving a little space between each piece to ensure even cooking.

Step 3: Grill the Chicken

Preheat your grill or stovetop griddle over medium heat. Grill the skewers for 5-7 minutes per side, or until the chicken is fully cooked and has a slight char, which adds a delicious smoky flavor.

Step 4: Make the Peanut Sauce

• While the chicken is grilling, it’s time to prepare the delicious peanut sauce.

• Fry the peanuts until they turn golden brown and fragrant, then set aside.

• In a food processor, blend the red chilies, shallots, garlic, and candlenuts until smooth.

• Sauté this blended spice paste until fragrant, then add the kaffir lime leaves for an extra layer of citrusy aroma.

• Pour in the water, add the palm sugar, and ground peanuts. Stir well and season with salt and pepper to taste.

• Continue cooking the sauce over low heat until it thickens to your desired consistency.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

Once the chicken skewers are cooked, serve them hot with the rich peanut sauce on the side. Don’t forget to pair the sate ayam with ketupat or steamed rice for a complete and satisfying meal.

Tips:

Soaking the bamboo skewers in water before grilling helps prevent them from burning.

If you like your peanut sauce spicier, add more chilies to the blend.

Marinating the chicken overnight allows the spices to deeply penetrate the meat, enhancing the flavor.

Sate Ayam is the perfect dish for gatherings or as a quick dinner, bringing the flavors of Indonesia straight to your plate. Enjoy your homemade sate ayam and dive into a taste of Indonesia!