We’re keeping it simple, low cost but delicious with this Slow Cooker Chicken Satay style recipe that is just right if you love a sauce-based chicken dish. The peanut butter sauce is packed with flavour and has a delicious creamy texture.
I wanted to recreate a dish in the style of one of the most unique and unmistakable flavours when it comes to takeaway land – satay. The mouthwatering marinated chicken and that nutty, fragrant flavour is divine, and is also another example of just how versatile our trusty slow cookers are!
This recipe is so so easy and, thanks to our secret weapon of peanut butter, the shopping list is small and fuss-free.
Why you’ll love this recipe
⭐️ Few inexpensive ingredients
⭐️ Tastes like a total treat
⭐️ Super simple to make
About Chicken Satay
Satay derives from Southeast Asia and is a dish made up of skewered grilled meat or fish that’s grilled and served with a sauce. This sauce is where the inspiration comes from with this slow cooker recipe, which incorporates the flavours of peanut and soy together.
If you’re looking for an authentic Chicken Satay recipe, you could try this one on a blog called Rasa Malaysia which looks divine.
These flavours have inspired my slow cooker version, but please do try the origin if you have a chance as it’s totally delicious.
What you’ll need
- Chicken thighs – skinless and boneless. You can use chicken breasts, but you may need to reduce the cooking time by up to an hour. (There’s more notes on this below.)
- Garlic – go for fresh, paste or from a jar.
- Ginger – again, go for fresh, paste or from a jar.
- Crunchy peanut butter – use smooth if you prefer but this gives a nice crunch.
- Mild curry powder – this isn’t too spicy, but gives a lovely warmth.
- Honey – runny honey it best here.
- Soy sauce – try go for low sodium
- Red peppers – you can swap out for a different colour if you prefer.
How to make it
- Put all of the slow cook ingredients in the slow cooker, mix well, put on to cook as per the recipe. (No you don’t need any more liquid!)
2. Thirty minutes before the end of the cooking time, add in the peppers and stir through.
Hint: Add lime to taste. If you need more sauce, add a splash of boiling water.
Substitutions
- Chicken breast – If you’d rather use breast than thighs, be aware they need less cooking time. You might be looking at approx 3 hours on high instead if they’re cut into chunks, but always check they’re cooked through.
- Nut butters – I haven’t tried other nut butters in this recipe but they could work fine if you can’t stand or tolerate peanuts. If you try an alternative, please let me know how you get on as I’d love to know!
Leftovers
In the fridge You can keep this recipe in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat fully in the microwave or hob before serving.
In the freezer This recipe freezes well. Just wait until it’s totally cold and then put into a freezer proof container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost thoroughly before reheating in the microwave or hob.
Top tips
Serving suggestions:
You can eat this with a variety of sides, including egg noodles, rice noodles, rice, my Egg Fried Rice, chilli sauce and prawn crackers.
Peppers:
I like to add the peppers right at the end of the cooking time so they are still fairly crunchy. If you prefer them softer, you can add them for the slow cook.
Limes:
Add the juice of one lime and then taste to see if you need another. This depends on your taste and also the juiciness of the limes!
Sauce:
The level of ‘sauciness’ here will depend on how much liquid your chicken gives off as it cooks. If you want the sauce to be a little more runny at the end of the cooking time, just add a splash of boiling water.
FAQ
I use: Morphy Richards Sear & Stew Slow Cooker (it’s light and you can use it for browning on the hob too).
For induction hob users: Lakeland Digital 6.5l Slow Cooker.
Let me know how you got on and what you thought of these recipes. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐️ below.
Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).
Slow Cooker Chicken Satay {Slow Cooker Fakeaway}
Ingredients
For the slow cook:
- 1 kg Chicken thighs Boneless and skinless
- 3 tsp Garlic
- 2 tsp Ginger
- 150 g Crunchy peanut butter
- 2 tsp Mild curry powder
- 3 tbsp Honey
- 4 tbsp Soy sauce Low sodium
To serve:
- 2 Red peppers Cut into small chunks
- 1-2 Limes Juice only
Instructions
- Put all of the slow cook ingredients in the slow cooker, mix well, put the lid on and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for at least 6 hours.
- 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time, add in the peppers and stir through.
- Squeeze over the juice of 1 – 2 limes (to taste) before serving.
Notes
I like to add the peppers right at the end of the cooking time so they are still fairly crunchy. If you prefer them softer, you can add them for the slow cook. Totally up to you. Limes:
Add the juice of one lime and then taste to see if you need another. This depends on your taste and also the juiciness of the limes! Sauce:
The level of ‘sauciness’ here will depend on how much liquid your chicken gives off as it cooks. If you want the sauce to be a little more runny at the end of the cooking time, just add a splash of boiling water.
Verity says
Your recipes have been such a massive massive timely help to me with third baby. I can’t wait to make this tomorrow. The slow cooker series have really brought new life to my slow cooker.
Sarah Rossi says
So happy to hear that Verity!
Abby says
Can I substitute the honey for something else as I really don’t like it?
Julie says
The honey mustard chicken one pan is brilliant, thank you for your inspiration. Really helped me out
Inma says
Could I use almond butter instead? It’s the only one I have in my cupboard!
LOVE all your recipes, my slow cooker gets used ever week thanks to you!!
Jen says
I made this on Friday and it went down an absolute treat! Better than any takeaway, everyone loved it! I added chillies for a wee kick and used pip & nut peanut butter – yum!
Paul says
We tried this tonight.
Followed the recipe to the letter and it was delicious!
Thank you 😁
Sarah says
Oh goodness, this was AMAZING! So happy to have come across your site and very excited to try more slow cooker recipes as I have only just recently bought one. For info in case helpful to anyone else, I didn’t have curry powder so substituted with garam masala and still worked well. Thanks! Sarah xx
Claire P says
So lovely! Made this today and it’s so tasty!! May add some chilli next time as someone suggested above. Thanks!
Sue says
Made this yesterday morning .came home to a super tasty meal. So simple ,but fantastic flavour.thankyou
Dawn Ingall says
Loved it!
I halved the recipe, bought frozen chicken thighs, used medium curry powder, lime juice from a bottle of lime juice, and added a tin of reduced fat coconut milk so it was more saucy . SO GOOD!!!!
Hannah says
I am not usually keen on chicken thighs but this was so tasty and easy to do and loved the additional serving suggestion as prawn crackers something I wouldn’t have thought to add.
Michelle H says
Big hit at our house! Delicious 😋 thank you
Emily says
I made this this evening and it was so good I had to comment.
I subbed in broccoli for peppers, which worked well, and there was plenty of sauce.
Delicious.
Jennifer Whitehouse says
Loved this, so easy to make and tastes amazing!
Diane says
I’ve made so many of the slow cooker recipes: all absolutely delicious, this satay was my absolute favourite! So goood!!
I love all the recipes, normal simple list of ingredients we already have in or cheap to buy. Honestly I’ve not had a bad meal from any of the recipes, winner with husband and 5year old!
This is the one I tell people they have to make, so so good!
Pre ordered the book, thank you, you absolute queen!
Sarah Rossi says
Wahhhhh thanks for your lovely comment Diane!
Nicky says
This was super tasty however I’m not sure if it was the peanut butter I used (whole earth) but it was quite claggy and the lack of moisture meant that it did catch and dry out in parts. Once I thinned it down with water it was ok. Has this ever happened to you before?? Otherwise it was delicious 😋
Anon says
We LOVE this! My kids say it’s their absolute favourite meal. It’s so easy to make and it’s super delicious. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Joze says
Fab recipe, followed it to the T. Will make again without the need to change a thing. Everyone enjoyed it.
AndiW99 says
Another great slow cooker recipe. Very tasty and filling. So simple to put together using ingredients which most of us have in our cupboards. No fuss cooking is always a winner with me. Thank you.
Mel says
Blutty Nora, that was a proper winner winner chicken satay dinner. I kind of reduced the receipe by a 3rd, a bit kaggy handed, not exactly perfectly measured but a round-about guesstimate. It was looking very dry on hot after 2 1/2 hours and I added hot water in then. A bit more hot water and stirring when the peppers were added,then I reduced the last hour to low. Such an easy to put together slow cooker meal. It was very delish.