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These Thai Chicken Skewers are slathered in a sweet and subtly spicy peanut sauce for a delicious, intense flavor. All you will need is a few minutes and these step-by-step instructions to prepare this flavor rich yet healthy recipe.
This Thai chicken recipe checks all the boxes for a busy, weeknight meal. It does require an hour of marination time, but you can start marinating the chicken before leaving for work in the morning. Then you can have this recipe ready in only 10 minutes that evening!
The descriptions “quick and easy” and “healthy” don’t often go together when discussing meals but for once this is true with this recipe. The chicken skewers are packed with lean protein. Meanwhile, the sweet and slightly spicy peanut sauce can easily be made low carb with the provided instructions to create a high protein, keto-friendly dish.
You will love that there is minimal clean up for this recipe. A couple bowls for making the sauce and marination along with the air fryer basket if you’re cooking in the air fryer. This also works as a meal prep recipe. The chicken freezes and reheats well or save time by making the peanut sauce ahead which can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Minimal clean up. This recipe requires minimal cookware. By the time the skewers are ready, you can have a clean kitchen if grilling or have only the air fryer basket left if air frying.
- Kid-Friendly. These chicken skewers have a delicious flavor that is both sweet and savory. Everyone in your family can enjoy this recipe.
- Healthy. This recipe is packed with lean protein and can even be made low carb.
Ingredients
Below are the ingredients you will need to make this Thai Chicken at home. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page to see the exact amounts for each ingredient.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast: chicken thighs will also work if you prefer dark meat
- Coconut milk: this ingredient is a necessity. There isn’t a great substitution option.
- Pantry Staples: creamy peanut butter, honey (or sugar-free maple syrup if keto), soy sauce, sesame oil, chili garlic sauce, and rice vinegar
- Produce: lime juice, lime zest, ginger, and minced garlic
How to Make Thai Chicken Skewers
Below are step-by-step instructions and photos so you can easily make these chicken skewers at home. You will also need mixing bowls and skewers.
Marinate
Combine the canned coconut milk (stir first), lime zest, lime juice, soy sauce, sesame oil, chili garlic sauce, and ginger. When the marinade is fully combined add the cubed chicken and toss to coat. Marinate at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours. While the chicken is marinating combine the peanut sauce ingredients and set aside.
Air Fry
Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F for 3 minutes. When ready to cook, thread the chicken on 6 inch metal skewers and discard the marinade. Then cook the skewers 5 minutes, flip and brush with the peanut sauce. Cook an additional 2-3 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Serve with the peanut sauce, peanuts and lime wedges.
Serve
This recipe works great as an appetizer or main dish. You can serve it alongside other appetizers at a party. If serving as a main dish, add a couple veggie skewers for a side or choose from some of our favorite side dish and appetizer options below.
- Air Fryer Asian Meatballs
- Simple Sesame Noodles
- Brussels Sprout Fried Rice
- Glazed Carrots
- Sweet and Spicy Green Beans
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Reheating Instructions– Reheat the chicken in the air fryer at a moderate temperature (around 350°F or 177°C) for 2-3 minutes. This method helps maintain crispiness. Check for doneness, as overcooking can dry out the chicken. You could also reheat in the microwave at 50% in 45-second intervals until heated to your desired level.
Storage Instructions– After allowing to cool completely, you can store the Thai chicken in the fridge for up to 3 days. This recipe also stores well in the freezer. It will store for up to 3 months in a freeze safe container. If you have leftover peanut sauce, you can store this in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Recipe FAQ
Yes, this recipe is gluten free when prepared as described. Ensure your choice of bottled/packaged ingredients (i.e., soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce, etc.) are labeled gluten free.
Absolutely! This recipe freezes well. You can freeze this recipe for up to 3 months in a freezer safe container.
You can store the peanut sauce in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Other Asian-Inspired Recipes
- Crunchy Thai Chicken Salad– Features fresh cabbage, carrots and bell pepper, all topped with a creamy peanut dressing!
- Sesame Chicken Lo Mein- Covered in a sweet sesame ginger and garlic sauce, easy to meal prep, and ready in under 30 minutes!
- Slow Cooker Ginger Garlic Pork Tenderloin– An effortless Asian-inspired dish that is the perfect combination of sweet and savory!
- Asian Pork Tenderloin with Air Fryer Vegetables– A simple 15 minute meal! This weeknight dinner recipe is healthy, low carb and gluten free!
Thai Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
Skewer Ingredients
- 1/2 cup full fat canned coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce
- 2 teaspoons ginger
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or chicken thighs , cut into 1 inch pieces
Peanut Sauce
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- 2 tbsp honey, or sugar-free maple syrup if keto
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 tsp lime juice
- 2 tsp chili garlic sauce
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tsp fresh ginger minced
Instructions
- Combine the canned coconut milk (stir first), lime zest, lime juice, soy sauce, sesame oil, chili garlic sauce, and ginger.
- When the marinade is fully combined add the cubed chicken and toss to coat. Marinate at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.
- While the chicken is marinating combine the peanut sauce ingredients and set aside.
Air Fryer Instructions
- When ready to cook thread the chicken on 6 inch metal skewers and discard the marinade.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F for 3 minutes.
- Cook the skewers 5 minutes, flip and brush with the peanut sauce. Cook an additional 2-3 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Serve with the peanut sauce, peanuts and lime wedges.
Grill Directions:
- When ready to cook thread the chicken on 6 inch metal skewers and discard the marinade.
- Preheat the grill 375 degrees F.
- Place the skewers on the hot grill grates and cook 4 minutes, flip and brush with the peanut sauce. Cook an additional 2-3 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Serve with the peanut sauce, peanuts and lime wedges.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
