Have you ever made a delicious batch of chicken satay only to wonder, “what should I serve with this?” Well, you’re not alone! This is one of the most common questions I get from readers who love this popular Southeast Asian dish but aren’t sure what sides complement it best
As a food blogger who’s experimented with countless side dishes for chicken satay I’m excited to share my favorite pairings that will turn your skewers into a complete satisfying meal. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just making a weeknight dinner, these side dishes will elevate your chicken satay experience!
What Is Chicken Satay?
Before diving into side dishes, let’s quickly talk about what makes chicken satay so special. Chicken satay consists of marinated chicken pieces skewered and grilled to perfection, typically served with a rich peanut dipping sauce The dish originates from Indonesia but has become popular throughout Southeast Asia and beyond
The combination of tender chicken, aromatic spices, and creamy peanut sauce creates a flavor profile that’s simultaneously savory, sweet, slightly spicy, and utterly irresistible!
Best Rice Dishes to Serve with Chicken Satay
Rice is the perfect base for soaking up that delicious peanut sauce. Here are my top rice-based sides:
1. Coconut Rice
Coconut rice is probably THE most popular side dish for chicken satay. The subtle sweetness and coconut aroma complement the savory chicken beautifully.
Quick Recipe: Combine 1 cup rice with 1 can (15 oz) light coconut milk and 1¼ cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 45 minutes until all liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork before serving.
2. Jasmine Rice
Simple steamed jasmine rice lets the flavors of the satay shine while providing a neutral base that soaks up all that yummy peanut sauce.
3. Fried Rice
For something with a bit more flavor and texture, fried rice makes an excellent side. The savory notes work well with the chicken satay’s marinade.
4. Mango Sticky Rice
If you want something a bit more special, mango sticky rice offers a sweet contrast to the savory satay. It’s traditionally a dessert but works wonderfully as a side dish too!
Fresh and Crunchy Salads
A fresh, crisp salad provides the perfect contrast to rich satay. Here are some options that work particularly well:
5. Thai Cucumber Salad
This refreshing side is incredibly simple to make and offers a cool contrast to the warm, grilled chicken.
Quick Recipe: Thinly slice cucumber, carrots, and combine with 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, cilantro, and a pinch of salt. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
6. Asian Slaw
Crunchy cabbage, carrots, and other veggies tossed in a sweet-sour dressing make for a wonderful textural contrast.
7. Thai Mango Salad
Sweet, juicy mangoes combined with savory elements create a beautiful balance with the chicken satay.
8. Papaya Salad
This tangy, slightly spicy salad cuts through the richness of the peanut sauce and cleanses the palate between bites.
9. Gado Gado
This Indonesian salad with boiled vegetables, eggs, potatoes, tofu, and peanut sauce is practically made to go with satay!
Noodle Dishes as Sides
Noodles offer a different texture and are great for soaking up sauce:
10. Spicy Peanut Noodles
These noodles use the same peanut sauce flavors that typically accompany satay, making them a natural pairing.
11. Zucchini Noodles
For a lighter, low-carb option, zucchini noodles (zoodles) tossed in a light sauce work beautifully.
Vegetable Sides for Chicken Satay
Vegetables add nutrition and balance to your meal:
12. Stir-Fried Vegetables
A colorful mix of stir-fried veggies with Asian seasonings complements the satay perfectly.
13. Lemon Garlic Broccolini
The bright flavors of lemon and garlic make this a refreshing side that won’t overpower your main dish.
14. Bok Choy
Sautéed with garlic and a hint of soy sauce, bok choy adds a fresh and slightly sweet flavor to your plate.
15. Grilled Pineapple
The natural sweetness of grilled pineapple helps balance the savory and sometimes spicy flavors of chicken satay.
16. Edamame
These simple steamed soybeans make a protein-rich side that’s easy to prepare and adds a nice textural element to your meal.
Bread and Wrap Options
Sometimes you want something to scoop up that delicious peanut sauce:
17. Roti Bread
This flaky flatbread is perfect for scooping up chicken and sauce, creating an interactive dining experience.
18. Bao Buns
These soft, pillowy buns can be stuffed with additional chicken satay or used to soak up the peanut sauce.
Fun and Creative Sides
Looking for something a bit different? Try these:
19. Spring Rolls
Fresh spring rolls with rice paper wrappers filled with vegetables offer a light and refreshing contrast.
20. Shrimp Crackers
These crispy, airy crackers (known as krupuk in Indonesia) are traditionally served alongside satay and are great for scooping up extra peanut sauce.
A Complete Chicken Satay Meal
I’ve found that the best chicken satay meals typically include:
- A rice or noodle base
- A fresh veggie component or salad
- A sauce element (usually the peanut sauce that comes with the satay)
Here’s my go-to chicken satay meal that always impresses guests:
Chicken Satay with Coconut Rice and Cucumber Salad
This combination from Whole Foods Market is absolutely divine and has become my standard whenever I make chicken satay.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut lengthwise into strips
- 1 can (15-ounce) light coconut milk, divided
- 1/4 cup lime juice, divided
- 4 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium tamari or soy sauce
- 3 teaspoons light brown sugar, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon Sriracha hot sauce
- 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
- 1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded and thinly sliced
- 1 large carrot, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 cup brown jasmine rice
This combo offers the perfect balance of flavors and textures – the creamy coconut rice, tangy cucumber salad, and savory chicken satay with rich peanut sauce.
Tips for Serving Chicken Satay
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Presentation matters: Arrange your chicken satay skewers on a platter with a small bowl of peanut sauce for dipping.
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Temperature contrasts: Serve hot satay alongside cool sides like cucumber salad for a pleasant temperature contrast.
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Garnish everything: Fresh herbs like cilantro, mint, or Thai basil, plus some crushed peanuts add color and extra flavor.
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Offer extra sauce: That peanut sauce is liquid gold – always make extra!
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Consider dietary needs: Many of these sides can be adapted for various dietary restrictions, making chicken satay a versatile option for entertaining.
Why These Sides Work So Well
The best sides for chicken satay typically offer one or more of these elements:
- Cooling effect to balance the spices in the satay
- Absorbent quality to soak up the delicious peanut sauce
- Contrasting texture to the tender chicken
- Complementary flavors that enhance rather than compete
Final Thoughts
Chicken satay is such a versatile main dish that works with many different sides, but these 20 options are my tried-and-true favorites. My personal go-to combo is coconut rice with a crisp cucumber salad – the combination of creamy, tangy, and savory flavors just can’t be beat!
Remember, the best meal is one that you enjoy, so feel free to mix and match these suggestions based on your preferences and what ingredients you have available. And don’t forget the extra peanut sauce – you’ll want it for everything!
What’s your favorite side to serve with chicken satay? I’d love to hear about your combinations in the comments!
Happy cooking!
Note: This article was last updated on September 23, 2025, to include the latest side dish trends and reader favorites.
How to make Chicken Satay Curry
And here’s how to make it – very straightforward!
- Mix the Satay Seasoning ingredients together;
- Marinate the chicken in the Seasoning with some grated onion for extra flavour;
- Sear the chicken just to get some nice colour on it – no need to cook the chicken through;
- Saute aromatics – onion, garlic, chilli;
- Transfer to blender (or Nutribullet, in my case) with most of the peanuts and chicken broth;
- Blitz until smooth;
- Pour back into the skillet along with the coconut milk, and lemongrass or Kaffir Lime leave;
- Add chicken back in then simmer until it reduces and thickens, your mouth is watering and it looks like THIS ↓↓↓:
Food euphoria. Food so good it makes you want to cry. And to think this is made from scratch, no jar pastes…just incredible.
This peanut curry sauce is so good it’s nuts. Go on – groan at the terrible pun!!! That might distract you for a mere moment of lusting after this sauce!!! – Nagi x
Different types of satay
Real Satay Chicken is skewered chicken marinated with satay seasonings, seared over charcoal and served with a peanut sauce. Many South East Asian countries have their own version, with most well known being Thai, Indonesian (Bali) and Malaysian (this recipe).
All are slightly different, but have similar undertones. Thai Chicken Satay (pictured below, left) is sweeter, more coconut-y and has a mild red curry flavour (the secret ingredient). Indonesian Satay (below right) is the simplest and most peanutty.
Malaysian Satay is said to be the king of all Satays, with the most complex, deep flavours. Stronger satay seasoning, less peanutty and less coconutty than Thai and Indonesian.
How to Make Jet Tila’s Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce | Ready Jet Cook | Food Network
FAQ
What is satay served with?
Satay may be served with a spicy peanut sauce dip, or peanut gravy, served with slices of lontong or ketupat (rice cakes), garnished with a sprinkle of bawang goreng (crisp fried shallot), and accompanied by acar (pickles) consisting of slivers of onions, carrots, and cucumbers in vinegar, salt, and sugar solution.
What veggies go with satay chicken?
Think slices of chicken breast coated in a rich and creamy (yet mild) peanut sauce, with a generous serve of cauliflower, carrots and peas, topped with …
How do you eat chicken satay?
To eat chicken satay, dip a skewer of the grilled chicken into the peanut sauce, then hold the skewer and bite down, slowly pulling the skewer out of the meat with your teeth to remove the chicken from the stick. You can also spoon the sauce over the satay and eat it with coconut rice or a refreshing cucumber salad.
What sauce goes with satay chicken?
Recipe video above.
Thai Chicken Satay Skewers are tasty enough to eat plain but we’d never skip Thai Peanut Sauce for dipping! The essential ingredient for a really great peanut sauce is natural peanut butter with no added sugar or oil. But normal peanut butter will work fine too.