This gluten free chicken satay recipe with Thai almond sauce is a perfect healthy grilled Summer appetizer that everyone will love.
I know I’m about to make myself sound like a super white girl (I am pretty pale, to be fair), but chicken satay was the first non-chicken-ball Asian food I ever had. And I was 16. I know- I had a steep learning curve about food ahead of me to get where I am today. To my defense though, I was raised by two non-foodies and was living in Peterborough at the time. One day, my boyfriend’s parents ordered in from a Thai restaurant and I nervously tried my first order of chicken satay with peanut sauce. Honestly, I’m not sure what I was scared of, but it just goes to show how sheltered I apparently was.
Making Gluten Free Chicken Satay with Thai Almond Sauce at Home
Being a home chef with an arsenal of Asian ingredients in the house at any given time, I thought I would do chicken satay up my way. I wanted to make gluten free chicken satay for my GF sister (which means tamari, instead of soy), and whip up a delicious Thai almond sauce for a unique twist.
This is a perfect pool party or cottage snack because it’s hand-held, dippable and super lean. The chicken is marinated in lite coconut oil to yield a super moist, yet lean source of protein. I then use almond butter in place of the traditional peanut butter to make a nutrient-rich Thai almond sauce.
I love that almonds have a combination of fibre, protein and healthy fats to keep you feeling fuller longer. They’re also packed with vitamin E, B2, magnesium, phosphorus and iron! These gluten free chicken satay with Thai almond sauce dish I would personally try to fill up on at the Summer BBQ, cottage or pool party, leaving me a little guilt-free wiggle room for dessert or a cocktail.
Looking for more great Summer tapas and appetizers? Check out #TheRecipeRedux group below for more healthy inspiration from fellow RDs!
What are some of your favourite grilled appetizers for Summer?
Have you tried making gluten free chicken satay and a Thai almond sauce?
Leave me a comment below with some of the crowd favourites in your circles- I would love to try them out!
Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce & Sweet Potatoes (Easy Gluten Free Recipe)
Ingredients
Marinade
- 1/2 cup lite coconut milk
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1 Tbsp coconut sugar
- 3/4 tsp curry powder
- 1 Tbsp ginger finely grated
- 2 tsp gluten free reduced sodium tamari
- 2 tsp fish sauce
- 1 lb skinless boneless chicken breasts cut into 1/2 inch strips
Sauce
- 1/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp. natural almond or peanut butter
- 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. lite coconut milk
- 1 tsp gluten free reduced sodium tamari
- 1 tsp fish sauce
- 1 Tbsp coconut sugar
- 1 Tbsp lime juice
- Sriracha to taste
Garnish
- Toasted sliced almonds
- Green onion thinly sliced
Instructions
- Combine the marinade ingredients and transfer to a resealable bag with the chicken. Refrigerate and marinate for 2 hours.
- Meanwhile, mix together the almond sauce ingredients and set aside.
- Preheat your grill to medium high heat. Thread the chicken pieces onto long skewers (being sure to soak them first if they are wooden) and grill for about 4-5 minutes per side, until cooked through.
- Serve with the almond sauce, garnished with toasted almonds and green onions.
Nutrition
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Updated on October 4th, 2021
Abbey Sharp is a Registered Dietitian (RD), regulated by the Ontario College of Dietitians. She is a mom, YouTuber, Blogger, award winning cookbook author, media coach specializing in food and nutrition influencers, and a frequent contributor to national publications like Healthline and on national broadcast TV shows.
OMAR SARA says
Thanks for sharing this recipe!!. Look delicious
Abbey Sharp says
Thank you!
dixya @food, pleasure, and health says
this is definitely a great grilling recipe and everyone usually loves satay with peanut sauce.
Abbey Sharp says
Totally! But this one I made an almond sauce instead and it’s just as good as peanut sauce!
Emily @Sinful Nutrition says
Love chicken satay! I think mainly because I love dipping it in the sauce!
Abbey Sharp says
Right! Everything is much more fun when there’s dipping sauces.
surati Ivey says
Hey There ! I’ve made a LOT of dipping sauces for satay. But THIS one is absolutely wonderful. I don’t miss the peanut butter and the flavors are spot on. This is now to be my go to satay sauce.
Have not tried the chicken yet – as it is presently bathing in the marinade.
Thank You !!!!
Abbey Sharp says
aw amazing! So glad you loved it 🙂
Rebby says
This sounds amazing and healthy as well! Bookmarking for the weekend!
Abbey Sharp says
Enjoy it !!
Farrah says
I love chicken satay! :D! I’ve never tried making it on my own though…I’m definitely going to need to–that sauce sounds amazing!
Abbey Sharp says
Thanks so much- enjoy Farrah! its a great easy recipe.