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Easy Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers (With Peanut Sauce!) – Bold, Juicy, and Bursting with Southeast Asian Flavor

If you love street food-style meals that are easy to make, loaded with flavor, and absolutely crowd-pleasing, you’ll fall head over heels for these Easy Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce. Tender strips of chicken are marinated in a flavorful Thai-inspired mixture of garlic, lime, soy sauce, and spices, then grilled to juicy perfection and paired with the ultimate creamy, tangy, nutty Thai peanut dipping sauce. Whether you're grilling for a summer gathering, prepping lunches for the week, or just trying something new for dinner, this dish delivers restaurant-worthy flavor in a simple, approachable recipe. Bonus: the peanut sauce is also amazing on noodles, salads, or veggies. Explore more globally inspired grill favorites at recipeservice.net, your go-to source for high-flavor, low-fuss meals.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Marinate Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

🍗 For the Chicken & Marinade
  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into strips
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger minced
  • ¼ cup soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar or honey
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp curry powder or turmeric optional for color & flavor
  • ½ tsp chili flakes or sriracha optional for heat
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil for grilling
🥜 For the Thai Peanut Sauce
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tsp grated ginger
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • ¼ –½ cup warm water to thin to desired consistency
  • Optional: chili garlic sauce or sriracha for heat
🌿 Garnishes & Extras
  • Chopped peanuts
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Lime wedges
  • Sliced cucumber or pickled veggies optional

Method
 

🔪 Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
  1. In a large bowl, combine:
  2. Soy sauce
  3. Fish sauce
  4. Lime juice
  5. Brown sugar
  6. Minced garlic & ginger
  7. Sesame oil
  8. Optional curry powder & chili flakes
  9. Add chicken strips and toss to coat. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours in the fridge.
🍢 Step 2: Skewer the Chicken
  1. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
  2. Thread chicken strips onto skewers, folding or weaving them to stay secure.
🔥 Step 3: Grill the Chicken
  1. Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
  2. Brush the grates lightly with oil.
  3. Grill skewers for 3–5 minutes per side, until lightly charred and cooked through (internal temp should be 165°F).
  4. Remove from grill and rest for 5 minutes.
🥣 Step 4: Make the Thai Peanut Sauce
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together:
  2. Peanut butter
  3. Soy sauce
  4. Rice vinegar
  5. Lime juice
  6. Honey
  7. Garlic and ginger
  8. Add warm water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until smooth and pourable.
  9. Adjust flavors to taste—add more lime for tang, honey for sweetness, or chili for spice.
🍽 Step 5: Serve & Garnish
  1. Plate grilled chicken skewers.
  2. Drizzle with peanut sauce or serve it on the side for dipping.
  3. Garnish with chopped peanuts, cilantro, and lime wedges.

Notes

🍴 Serving Suggestions
Over jasmine rice or rice noodles
With a side of grilled veggies or Asian slaw
In lettuce wraps with cucumber and carrots
As an appetizer or main at your next BBQ or potluck
🧑‍🍳 Variations
Make it vegan: Use tofu or tempeh instead of chicken and skip the fish sauce.
Swap the sauce: Try sweet chili sauce or coconut curry dip for a change.
No grill? Cook on a stovetop grill pan or bake at 425°F for 18–20 minutes.
Make it a bowl: Serve over rice with steamed edamame and shredded cabbage for a full meal.
❄️ Storage & Meal Prep
Storage:
Store leftover chicken and sauce separately in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat:
Gently reheat chicken in a skillet or microwave.
Stir peanut sauce and add a splash of water if it thickens in the fridge.
Meal Prep:
Marinate and skewer chicken ahead of time.
Make peanut sauce up to 5 days in advance.
❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes! Thighs are juicier, but breasts work well—just don’t overcook.
2. What’s the best peanut butter to use?
Creamy, unsweetened peanut butter works best. Avoid chunky or overly sweet versions.
3. Can I make this without fish sauce?
Yes—use extra soy sauce and a splash of rice vinegar for umami.
4. Is the sauce spicy?
It can be! Adjust the spice to your liking with chili flakes or sriracha.
5. Can I use a grill pan indoors?
Absolutely—it gives great char without firing up the outdoor grill.
6. Can I freeze the marinated chicken?
Yes, freeze raw marinated chicken for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before grilling.
7. Is this recipe gluten-free?
Use gluten-free soy sauce (tamari) and check your peanut butter for hidden gluten.
8. Can I make it nut-free?
Use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter for a similar result.
9. Can I use coconut milk in the peanut sauce?
Yes! Replace some water with coconut milk for a creamier, tropical twist.
10. How do I know when the chicken is done?
Use a meat thermometer—look for an internal temp of 165°F (74°C).
📝 Conclusion
These Easy Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce are flavorful, quick to make, and incredibly versatile. The bold marinade and creamy dipping sauce combine to create a dish that feels restaurant-worthy but is totally doable at home. Perfect for casual dinners, entertaining guests, or prepping ahead for a week of flavorful meals.
Looking for more Southeast Asian-inspired flavors? Browse our chicken collection and Asian grilling recipes at recipeservice.net and elevate your home cooking game.