The Ultimate Easy Slow Cooker Satay Chicken with Creamy Peanut Sauce: Your Go-To Weeknight Recipe
Are you searching for a dinner recipe that’s incredibly easy, bursting with flavor, and perfect for even the busiest of days? Look no further! This **Slow Cooker Satay Chicken with Peanut Sauce** is exactly what you need. Imagine succulent, tender chicken bathed in a rich, creamy, and irresistibly aromatic peanut sauce. It’s a delightful symphony of sweet, salty, savory, and just a hint of spice, creating a truly satisfying meal that transports your taste buds to Southeast Asia. The best part? Your trusty slow cooker takes care of almost all the work, letting you come home to a delicious, home-cooked dinner with minimal effort.
Why This Creamy Slow-Cooked Chicken Satay is a Must-Try
Satay with its signature peanut sauce is a beloved dish across Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesian and Malaysian cuisine. While traditionally featuring grilled skewered meat, this slow cooker version captures all the authentic flavors in a convenient, hands-off method. It’s an ideal choice for a comforting family dinner or a fantastic centerpiece for your next Asian-inspired gathering. The deeply rich and nuanced peanut sauce perfectly complements the juicy chicken, making every bite a delight. This recipe is also wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to tailor it to your preferences or dietary needs.
This versatile dish pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. For a truly complete and authentic Indonesian meal, serve it alongside Nasi Goreng (fried rice) or Bami Goreng (fried noodles with egg and ham). It’s also an excellent addition to a Rijsttafel (Indonesian buffet table), offering a creamy and savory contrast to other vibrant dishes. If you’re looking for something fresh and crunchy to cut through the richness, a simple cucumber salad or some steamed green beans makes a perfect accompaniment. Its adaptability means you can enjoy it in countless ways, making it a staple in your recipe rotation.
Key Reasons You’ll Adore This Recipe
- Effortlessly Easy: Simply combine the ingredients in your slow cooker, set it, and forget it! Enjoy a flavorful meal with minimal active cooking time, perfect for those hectic weekdays.
- Incredibly Versatile: Whether served over fluffy rice, tossed with noodles, wrapped in soft tortillas, or even as a filling for sliders, this satay chicken adapts to any meal concept.
- Fully Customizable: Easily adjust the spice level with more or less sambal, sweeten it to your liking, or swap out the chicken for a delicious vegetarian alternative like tofu or tempeh.
- A True Crowd-Pleaser: This dish is a guaranteed hit for family dinners, an excellent option for meal prepping healthy lunches throughout the week, and an absolute star on any Asian-themed buffet.
The Magic of Slow Cooking for Perfect Satay Chicken
The slow cooker truly shines with dishes like this satay chicken. Low and slow cooking allows the chicken breast (or thighs!) to become incredibly tender and moist, practically falling apart with just a fork. More importantly, it gives the rich peanut sauce ample time to meld its complex flavors. The onions, garlic, sweet chili, honey, coconut milk, sambal, and kecap manis gently simmer together, infusing the chicken with every delicious note. This prolonged cooking process ensures a deeply aromatic and flavorful sauce that’s far superior to quick stovetop versions. It’s the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it method for gourmet-tasting results.
Crafting the Irresistible Peanut Sauce
The heart of any great satay dish is its sauce, and this one is no exception. Our creamy peanut sauce is a balanced blend of key ingredients that create its signature flavor profile. Finely ground peanuts provide the rich, nutty base and creamy texture. Sweet chili sauce and honey add a delightful sweetness, perfectly contrasting with the savory notes of garlic, onion, and Kecap Manis (sweet soy sauce). Coconut milk contributes to the luxurious creaminess and a subtle tropical undertone, while sambal oelek introduces that essential touch of heat. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens the entire sauce, cutting through the richness and elevating all the flavors. Blending these ingredients creates a smooth, harmonious sauce that clings beautifully to the chicken.
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📖 Recipe
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
15 minutes
4 hours
4 hours
15 minutes
Dinner
Asian, Indonesian
4
persons
697
kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark
Ingredients
-
2
onions,
finely chopped -
3
cloves
garlic,
squeezed -
6
tablespoons
peanuts,
finely ground -
2
tablespoons
sweet chili sauce -
3
tablespoons
honey -
1
cup
coconut milk -
2
teaspoons
sambal oelek -
½
cup
Kecap Manis,
sweet soy sauce -
1
teaspoon
lemon juice,
fresh -
2
pounds
chicken breast
Garnish
-
2
tablespoons
peanuts,
roughly chopped
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
US Customary
Instructions
-
Put the onions, garlic, ground peanuts, sweet chili sauce, honey, coconut milk, sambal, kecap, and lemon juice in a food processor. Blend until smooth. (No food processor? Use a hand blender.)2 onions,
3 cloves garlic,
6 tablespoons peanuts,
2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce,
3 tablespoons honey,
1 cup coconut milk,
2 teaspoons sambal oelek,
½ cup Kecap Manis,
1 teaspoon lemon juice -
Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker in a single layer to ensure even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.2 pounds chicken breast -
Pour the prepared peanut sauce generously over the chicken, making sure every piece is thoroughly coated. This ensures maximum flavor infusement during cooking. -
Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Set it to the LOW setting and cook for approximately 4 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and incredibly tender. Alternatively, cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours if you’re short on time. -
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and use two forks to easily shred it into large, juicy pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the sauce in the slow cooker and stir to coat thoroughly.
Serve
-
Serve the tender, saucy chicken on a large platter. Finish by sprinkling the roughly chopped peanuts on top for an added layer of texture and a delightful crunch. Serve immediately with your favorite side dishes.2 tablespoons peanuts
Notes
- Make it Spicier: For those who love a kick, feel free to add an extra teaspoon (or more!) of sambal oelek to the sauce mixture. You can also garnish with fresh, thinly sliced red chili peppers.
- Go Vegetarian/Vegan: This recipe is easily adaptable for plant-based diets. Simply replace the chicken with 1.5-2 pounds of firm tofu (pressed and cut into cubes) or tempeh (cut into slices or crumbled). Cook as directed.
- Peanut-Free Option: If you have a peanut allergy, you can still enjoy a delicious satay-like flavor! Substitute the peanuts with an equal amount of finely ground roasted cashews or sunflower seeds for a similar nutty texture and taste.
2. Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts? Yes, absolutely! Chicken thighs are an excellent choice for this dish. They are naturally more flavorful and tend to remain even juicier and more tender during slow cooking, making them an ideal alternative. If using bone-in, skin-on thighs, you might want to sear them first for extra flavor, but it’s not strictly necessary. Adjust cooking time as needed until they are fork-tender.
3. Can I make this in the oven? Yes, you can! To adapt this recipe for the oven, place your chicken breasts (or thighs) in a large casserole dish. Pour the blended peanut sauce over the chicken, ensuring it’s well-coated. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 320°F (160°C) for approximately 90 minutes. Cook until the chicken is thoroughly cooked through and easily shreds with a fork.
4. Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely! This dish is fantastic for meal prep. You can prepare the peanut sauce up to 3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to cook, simply pour the prepared sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker and proceed with the recipe instructions.
5. Storage and Reheating Tips
- Refrigerator: Store any leftover Slow Cooker Satay Chicken in a well-sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer: For longer storage, transfer the cooled chicken and sauce to a freezer-safe bag or container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheat: Gently warm leftovers in a saucepan over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally. If the sauce has thickened too much, add a splash of water or extra coconut milk to achieve your desired consistency. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.
Nutrition
Calories:
697
kcal
Carbohydrates:
56
g
Protein:
55
g
Fat:
28
g
Saturated Fat:
14
g
Polyunsaturated Fat:
5
g
Monounsaturated Fat:
7
g
Trans Fat:
0.03
g
Cholesterol:
145
mg
Sodium:
948
mg
Fiber:
3
g
Sugar:
41
g
Vitamin A:
73
IU
Vitamin C:
10
mg
Iron:
4
mg
slow cooker recipe with chicken, easy slow cooker recipe with chicken, satay chicken, peanut sauce, Indonesian food
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Serving Suggestions and Perfect Pairings
This Slow Cooker Satay Chicken is wonderfully versatile, making it easy to create a complete and satisfying meal. For a classic approach, serve it over a bed of steaming white rice to soak up every drop of that delicious peanut sauce. Brown rice or quinoa also make excellent, healthier alternatives. Noodles, such as thin vermicelli or wider egg noodles, are another fantastic choice, transforming the dish into a hearty pasta meal.
Don’t stop there! Consider using the shredded satay chicken as a flavorful filling for soft flatbreads or lettuce wraps, creating a lighter, interactive meal. It’s also delicious nestled in mini slider buns for a party appetizer or quick lunch. To add freshness and a contrasting texture, always offer some crisp sides. A simple green salad, a refreshing cucumber salad, or steamed vegetables like broccoli or snap peas work beautifully. Garnishing with fresh cilantro, extra chopped peanuts, and a squeeze of lime juice truly elevates the presentation and flavor.
Pro Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Satay Chicken
- Don’t Overcrowd Your Slow Cooker: Ensure the chicken breasts lay in a relatively single layer. This allows the heat to circulate evenly and the sauce to coat every piece properly, leading to more tender chicken and consistent cooking.
- Pat Your Chicken Dry: Before adding the chicken to the slow cooker, pat it dry with paper towels. This helps the sauce adhere better and prevents the chicken from releasing too much water, which could dilute the rich flavors of the satay sauce.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: If your sauce seems too thick after cooking, stir in a tablespoon or two of hot water or coconut milk until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, you can thicken it by stirring in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Fresh Garnishes Make a Difference: While the recipe suggests chopped peanuts, don’t underestimate the power of fresh herbs like cilantro or thinly sliced green onions. A sprinkle of fresh chili or a lime wedge for squeezing can really brighten and enhance the overall experience.
More Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes to Try
- Slow Cooker Asian Beef
- Dutch Sour Meat (Zoervleisj, Zuurvlees)
- Belgian Beef Stew {Stoofvlees, Carbonnade Flamande}