If you’re looking for the flavours of chicken satay, without the hassle or the expensive takeaway bill, then using a slow cooker is the perfect solution. Without lifting a finger, you can cook up a delicious slow cooker chicken satay which combines the taste of creamy peanut butter, garlic, soy sauce, ginger and curry powder.
Traditionally, chicken satay is a popular South East Asian dish often grilled on skewers and served with a savoury peanut sauce – check out my chicken satay skewer recipe here. But with a busy schedule, finding the time to marinate, skewer, and grill chicken might not always be possible – particularly on busy weeknights. Bring on the slow cooker – a game-changer for creating a satay-inspired dish that’s just as tasty, and incredibly easy to prepare.
This slow cooker chicken satay recipe can be made with minimal effort. Perfect for family dinners or impressing dinner guests, this recipe is adaptable, delicious, and completely hassle-free.
Why use a slow cooker?
The slow cooker has a knack for transforming simple ingredients into delicious, tender meals without having to do any actual cooking. For this slow cooker satay chicken, the slow cooking process allows the sauce to infuse deeply into the meat, ensuring every bite is packed with tons of flavour. Plus, the slow cooker eliminates the need for skewers and grilling, making it a more practical option for weeknight meals. This complete meal is more like a peanut butter chicken curry which can be served with fluffy rice or noodles, as well as vegetables. It’s a great way to serve a tasty, filling homecooked meal to the whole family.
What ingredients you’ll need
For this slow cooker chicken satay, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- boneless, skinless chicken thighs or skinless chicken breasts (thighs are recommended for juicier results)
- smooth peanut butter (I prefer, but you can also use crunchy peanut butter)
- minced garlic
- ginger paste or grated fresh ginger
- rice wine vinegar
- light soy sauce
- curry powder (I use medium)
- honey
- chicken stock
- lime juice
For garnish:
- Finely sliced spring onion/green onions
- Chopped fresh coriander/cilantro (optional)
- Crushed peanuts
- Lime wedges
For serving:
- Steamed jasmine rice, white rice, brown rice, rice noodles, egg noodles or even inside lettuce wraps if you’re watching the calories.
- Steamed or stir-fried vegetables (like pak choi, mange tout, green beans, broccoli, carrots, or peppers/bell peppers).
How to make this slow cooker chicken satay
The amazing thing about this chicken satay is that the hardest part is throwing in all the ingredients and switching the slow cooker on, to let it do all the hard work.
Lay the skinless chicken thighs at the bottom of the slow cooker, then add the rest of the ingredients – the soy sauce, garlic mince, ginger, honey, curry powder, rice vinegar and chicken stock.
Then cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for around 3-4 hours. Around an hour before serving, if you think the sauce is too thick, you can add some more water to loosen it—around 2-3 tablespoons or more – and also squeeze in the lime juice. Give the chicken satay a good stir to make sure all the ingredients are well combined.
You can serve the chicken whole or shred it directly in the slow cooker for a more saucy, pulled-chicken style. Either way, ensure the chicken is coated in the yummy peanut sauce.
Garnish and serve
Serve the chicken satay over steamed jasmine rice or rice noodles, and garnish with fresh spring onions, crushed peanuts, and a squeeze of lime. Pair with some vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.
Tips for satay chicken in the slow cooker
Protein Alternatives. This recipe works with other proteins. You could swap the chicken for:
- Tofu: For a vegetarian version, use firm or extra-firm tofu. Press the tofu to remove excess water, then cube and cook as directed.
- Beef or Pork: Opt for cuts like pork shoulder or beef chuck for a melt-in-your-mouth result.
Vegetable additions: For a one-pot meal, add hearty vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or peppers halfway through the cooking time. They’ll soak up the satay sauce beautifully.
Spice levels: If you prefer milder flavours, choose a mild curry powder. For extra heat, use hot curry powder and add sliced red chillies or a dash of sriracha.
Storage and reheating
This dish stores exceptionally well, making it perfect for meal prep. Here’s how:
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
To reheat, microwave on full until piping hot (around 4 minutes) adding a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
Slow cooker chicken satay (peanut butter chicken)
Ingredients
- 1 kg skinless chicken thighs
- 3 large garlic cloves minced
- 2 teaspoons ginger paste
- 4 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 140 g smooth peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon medium curry powder
- 3 tbsp honey
- 200 ml chicken stock
- 2 limes juice only, extra for garnish
- chopped peanuts for garnish
- 1 spring onion chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Gather all your ingredients.
- Add the chicken thighs, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, curry powder, honey, peanut butter, rice wine vinegar and chicken stock to your slow cooker pot. No need for any pre-cooking of the chicken.
- Cook on low for 5-6 hours (or 3-4 hours on high), giving it a good stir half way through cooking, as well as adding the juice of two limes. If you think the sauce is too thick, add a few tablespoons of water, too, until the sauce loosens and you have your desired consistency.
- Serve with rice and vegetables of your choice, and sprinkle over some chopped peanuts and spring onions.
So easy, and so simple. I chucked in some mushrooms and peppers near the end too.
Hi Ting
In the instructions you had honey listed as one of the ingredients but it wasn’t in the list of ingredients. How much honey do you use please ? This looks so delicious, & am going to give it a try. Thank You..
My bad! I’ve now added it in – hope you enjoy
So so good and it was really easy. Going to be a favourite at home