Satay Chicken Curry (Malaysian)
Forget skewers - THIS is how you get a satay fix! This Malaysian Chicken Satay Curry features chicken marinated in a homemade satay seasoning, simmered in a heady peanut satay sauce that's coconuty...
Ingredients
Satay Seasoning
- 1 1/2 tsp coriander
- 1 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- 1 1/2 tsp tumeric
- 1 1/2 tsp paprika (sweet or normal, not smoked or spicy)
- 1 1/4 tsp chilli powder, adjust to taste (not US "Chili Powder", Note 1)
- 3 1/2 tsp curry powder, not HOT (any, Malaysian, generic, Clives of India, Keens)
- 1 1/4 tsp salt, cooking / kosher (or 1 tsp table salt)
- 2 tsp white sugar
Chicken
- 750g / 1.5 lb chicken thigh fillets, cut into bite size pieces (Note 2)
- 1/2 onion (brown, white or yellow), grated
Satay Sauce
- 2 tbsp oil, separated
- 3 – 6 birds eye chillies or other small hot red chillies, finely chopped (Note 3)
- 1/4 cup onion (brown, white or yellow), finely diced (~ 1/4 onion)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth / stock
- 3/4 cup peanuts, roasted unsalted,, chopped, separated
- 2 tsp kecap manis (Note 4)
- 3 tsp dark soy sauce (Note 5)
- 400g / 14oz coconut milk (preferably full fat but light will be ok)
- 2 tbsp peanut butter, pure best but spread ok too, crunchy or smooth
- 2 tbsp lime juice, to taste
Flavour Infusion – choose ONE
- 3 makrut lime leaves (formerly kaffir lime leaves) (Note 6)
- 1 lemongrass stalk, white part only, smashed to burst open (Note 7)
Garnish (choices)
- Peanuts, chopped
- Cilantro / coriander leaves
- Fresh chilli, finely chopped
Instructions
1
Combine Satay Seasoning ingredients in a small bowl.
2
Marinate - Combine chicken with 3 1/2 TABLESPOONS Satay Seasoning and onion in a bowl. Marinate for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight, minimum 20 minutes (Note 6)
3
Cook - Heat 1 tbsp oil in a non stick skillet over high heat (Note 7). Cook chicken in 2 batches until browned all over but still raw inside. Transfer to bowl, cover and keep warm.
4
Saute aromatics - Using the same skillet, turn heat down to medium and heat 1 tbsp oil. Add chill, onion and garlic cloves. Sauté until onion is translucent - around 2 minutes.
5
Satay Seasoning - Add remaining Satay Seasoning and cook for 1 minute.
6
Blitz - Transfer to a blender or small food processor (I use a Nutribullet). Add chicken stock and 1/2 cup of the peanuts (rest gets added later). Puree until pretty smooth - some peanut chunks can remain. Pour mixture back into the skillet.
7
Add remaining ingredients into sauce - Add remaining 1/4 cup peanuts, kecap manis, dark soy sauce, coconut milk and peanut butter. Stir to combine.
8
Add lime leaf or lemongrass - Crush makrut lime leaf in hand a bit (to break leaf to release the flavour). Add lime leaf OR lemongrass and chicken to sauce.
9
Simmer - Bring to simmer, turn heat down to medium low and simmer for 15 minutes until thickened.
10
Serve - Add lime juice to taste. Serve with rice (jasmine, white rice or brown rice). Garnish with peanuts, cilantro/coriander leaves and more chilli if desired. See Note 9 for suggested sides.
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