Amazing Indonesian Sambals & Satays 5 Ways

Oh, Indonesian food! Just thinking about it makes my mouth water. There’s something so incredibly addictive about that perfect dance between savory, sweet, and a kick of spice, right? It’s like a flavor party in your mouth! I remember my first trip to Indonesia years ago, and I swear I ate satay every single day. It was pure magic! This recipe is my little tribute to those amazing flavors, focusing on the heart of Indonesian cuisine: incredible sambals and irresistible satays. Get ready to bring a little bit of that island magic right into your kitchen!

Why You’ll Love This Indonesian Sambals & Satays Recipe

Seriously, this recipe is a winner! It’s packed with all those amazing Indonesian sambals & satays flavors you crave, but it’s surprisingly simple to whip up. Here’s why it’s going to become your new go-to:

Quick and Easy Preparation

You won’t believe how fast this comes together! It’s totally weeknight-friendly, meaning you can have incredible Indonesian flavors on the table without a fuss.

Authentic Indonesian Flavors

This recipe nails that genuine taste of Indonesia. You’ll get that perfect balance of aromatic spices and fresh ingredients that just screams authentic. For more on authentic Indonesian cooking, check out global comfort foods.

Perfectly Balanced Taste

It’s the ultimate flavor harmony! You get that satisfying savory chicken, a sweet and spicy peanut sauce, and a cool, crisp salad all in one bite. Yum!

Essential Ingredients for Indonesian Sambals & Satays

Okay, let’s talk ingredients! These are the stars of the show that bring our Indonesian sambals & satays to life. Don’t worry, they’re not too hard to find, and the flavor payoff is HUGE. Having everything prepped makes the cooking process a breeze, so let’s get organized!

For the Chicken Satay

You’ll need about 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into nice 1-inch pieces. For the marinade, grab a stalk of lemongrass (just bruise it to release the flavor!), a couple of kaffir lime leaves, a teaspoon each of turmeric and coriander powder, half a teaspoon of cumin, plus salt and pepper to taste. Oh, and a couple of tablespoons of vegetable oil for grilling!

For the Spicy Peanut Sauce

This sauce is pure magic! You’ll need about 1/4 cup of creamy peanut butter, a tablespoon of soy sauce, a tablespoon of lime juice, a teaspoon of brown sugar for that hint of sweetness, and about 1/4 cup of water to get the right consistency. Trust me, this sauce is addictive!

For the Refreshing Cucumber Salad

To cool things down, we’ll make a quick salad. Grab half a cucumber, thinly sliced, and about a quarter of a red onion, also thinly sliced. Toss it all with a tablespoon of rice vinegar and half a teaspoon of sugar. So simple, so refreshing!

Crafting Your Indonesian Sambals & Satays: Step-by-Step Instructions

Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic truly happens and we bring our Indonesian sambals & satays to life. It’s pretty straightforward, and honestly, the most satisfying part is smelling those amazing aromas filling your kitchen!

Marinating the Chicken

First things first, let’s get that chicken flavor going! Toss your chicken pieces in a bowl with all those yummy marinade ingredients: the bruised lemongrass, lime leaves, turmeric, coriander, cumin, salt, and pepper. Give it a good mix so every piece is coated. Let it hang out and soak up all those flavors for at least 30 minutes. The longer, the better, but 30 is our minimum!

Preparing the Peanut Sauce

Now for the star of the show – the peanut sauce! Grab a small saucepan and whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, and water. Put it over medium heat and stir, stir, stir! You want it to get nice and creamy and thicken up a bit. Don’t let it burn! Once it’s looking smooth and luscious, take it off the heat. It’ll thicken more as it cools.

Grilling the Satay

Time to get those skewers ready! Thread your marinated chicken onto your skewers. If you’re using wooden ones, make sure they’ve had a good soak first so they don’t go up in flames! Brush the chicken lightly with vegetable oil. Get your grill nice and hot over medium-high heat. Pop those skewers on and grill them for about 8 to 10 minutes, flipping them every so often, until they’re beautifully cooked through and maybe a little charred. Perfection!

Assembling the Cucumber Salad

While the chicken is grilling, let’s make that super refreshing cucumber salad. It’s the perfect counterpoint to the rich satay. Just combine your thinly sliced cucumber and red onion in a little bowl. Drizzle over the rice vinegar and sprinkle with sugar. Give it a gentle toss. That’s it! It adds a lovely bright, crisp element to the whole meal.

Tips for Perfect Indonesian Sambals & Satays

You want your Indonesian sambals & satays to be absolutely knock-your-socks-off delicious? I’ve got a few little secrets that make all the difference. It’s all about paying attention to the details!

Achieving Tender Chicken

For the most tender chicken satay, always use thighs! They have more fat, which keeps them moist and flavorful on the grill. Make sure to cut them into uniform pieces so they cook evenly.

Enhancing Peanut Sauce Flavor

Want to jazz up that peanut sauce? A tiny pinch of chili flakes or a dash of sambal oelek gives it a wonderful kick. You can also toast your peanut butter lightly before making the sauce for an even nuttier flavor! For more spicy and sweet fusion ideas, explore spicy sweet fusion recipes.

Grilling Techniques for Satay

Don’t crowd the grill! Give those skewers some space so the heat circulates evenly. Remember to soak wooden skewers for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. And for those gorgeous grill marks, don’t move them around too much; let them get a nice sear.

Frequently Asked Questions About Indonesian Sambals & Satays

Got questions about whipping up these amazing Indonesian sambals & satays? I’ve got you covered!

Can I make the peanut sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely! The peanut sauce actually tastes even better the next day. Just make it, let it cool, and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. You might need to thin it out with a tiny bit of water when you reheat it.

What if I don’t have kaffir lime leaves?

No worries! If you can’t find kaffir lime leaves, you can substitute with the zest of one regular lime. It won’t be exactly the same, but it still gives a lovely citrusy brightness to the marinade.

How can I adjust the spice level of the sambal in the peanut sauce?

This is totally customizable! For more heat, just add a bit more chili paste (like sambal oelek, or even sriracha) to the sauce. For less spice, use a smaller amount, or even skip it altogether if you’re sensitive to heat. Taste as you go! For more information on fermented and pickled foods, see fermented pickled gut-friendly foods.

Serving and Storing Your Indonesian Sambals & Satays

Now that you’ve made this fantastic Indonesian sambals & satays dish, let’s talk about how to serve it up and save any leftovers so you can enjoy it later!

Presentation Ideas

Arrange the grilled chicken satay skewers on a platter. Drizzle generously with the peanut sauce, and serve the refreshing cucumber salad right alongside. A sprinkle of chopped peanuts or fresh cilantro looks lovely, too!

Leftover Storage

Store any leftover cooked chicken satay in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The peanut sauce will keep well for about a week in the fridge, just give it a stir before serving. The cucumber salad is best fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them separately in the fridge for a day.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Just a heads-up, these numbers are estimates! The actual nutrition info for your Indonesian sambals & satays can vary depending on the exact ingredients you use and how much sauce you slather on. But generally, one serving (that’s a skewer with sauce and salad) will be around 350 calories, with about 20g of fat, 20g of protein, and 25g of carbohydrates. Happy cooking (and eating)! For more delicious recipes, visit our recipes section.

Amazing Indonesian Sambals & Satays 5 Ways

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• Author: folderfood
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Aromatic and flavorful Indonesian chicken satay served with a spicy peanut sauce and a side of refreshing cucumber salad.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 stalk lemongrass, bruised
• 2 kaffir lime leaves
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar

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Instructions

1. Marinate chicken: In a bowl, combine chicken pieces, bruised lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, turmeric, coriander, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Prepare peanut sauce: In a small saucepan, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat.
3. Grill satay: Thread marinated chicken onto skewers. Brush with vegetable oil. Grill over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until cooked through.
4. Make cucumber salad: In a small bowl, combine sliced cucumber, red onion, rice vinegar, and sugar. Mix well.
5. Serve: Arrange chicken satay on a platter. Serve with peanut sauce and cucumber salad on the side.

Notes

• For extra flavor, you can add a minced garlic clove to the marinade.
• Adjust the spice level of the peanut sauce by adding more or less chili paste (sambal oelek) if desired.
• Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before use to prevent burning.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Indonesian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 skewer with sauce and salad
• Calories: 350 kcal
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg

Keywords: Indonesian chicken satay, peanut sauce, spicy, grilled chicken, cucumber salad, sambal, satay