Jacques tucking into his ‘chicken lollipops’ with zeal
I’ve been meaning to make satay sticks for the kids for so long now, and it’s taken me to host the Four Seasons Food barbecue event to actually get around to it. And predictably they were a huge hit. With both the littlies and myself, plus some friends I also trialled them out on with an additional chilli kick. It’s funny how food on sticks is always so appealing? And now, predictably also, I’m wondering why oh why it took me so long! Prepped in minutes, left to marinade for a few hours then barbied or grilled in a flash.
Having travelled extensively in SE Asia in my twenties I must have gobbled my way through an inordinate amount of pork and chicken satay sticks through Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, each with their national and regional twists. Always an exceptionally tasty, cheap and highly addictive street food snack on the hoof.
Pig A Chic @ FBC5
I was recently reminded and inspired of the wonders of satay by the highly authentic Pig A Chic who were dishing out Thai satay sticks and papaya salad (plus a range of hot sauces) a plenty to hungry delegates all weekend at Food Blogger Connect. If you get a chance to sample their food then you really MUST, please do check out their site at www.pigachic.com or follow them on Twitter @Pigachic.
Even Little Miss F LOVED them, devouring three!
Now on to my own considerably less authentic but nevertheless pretty tasty Satay Sticks. I made them first minus any chilli with the kids in mind and the ‘chicken lollipops’ proved very popular. I think Jacques managed five and Little Miss F three. And served with barbecued Halloumi & Roasted Veggie Kebabs and a Child-Friendly Salad that was an impressive eat. Yes, salad….I’ve FINALLY found a salad they’ll eat, but more on that in a later post. Whilst the chilli-less ones were fragrantly tasty I have to admit to personally preferring my grown-up version with a couple of finely minced hot chillies thrown into the marinade mix.
Naturally I shall be entering my post to this month’s Four Seasons 
Food, hosted by myself and with the seasonal theme of Barbecues and Barbecue Side Dishes. And if you have your own barbecue dish then please do join in, there’s even a prize this month of the Pitt Cue Co Cookbook.
Chicken Satay Sticks
Great for: Toddlers & Pre-schoolers, Bigger Kids, Grown Ups, Appetisers, Starters, Mains, Barbecues (or Grilling)
Special Equipment: Pre-soaked bamboo skewers or metal skewers
Notes: How about substituting the chicken for pork or tofu?
3 free range chicken breasts
2 heaped tablespoons crunchy peanut butter
2 tablespoons thick coconut milk
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 dessertspoon Thai fish sauce
1 dessertspoon fresh ginger, finely minced
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 heaped teaspoon soft brown sugar
1 – 2 hot chillies, finely minced (optional)
1. Flatten the chicken breasts a little. I usually bash mine with a rolling pin on a chopping board. Pretty therapeutic actually. Cut the flattened chicken into narrow long strips, about six per breast.
2. Combine all the other ingredients in a medium sized bowl to make the marinade.
3. Stir the chicken strips into the marinade. Cover and leave to marinate in the fridge for at least an hour or two. Or even over night.
4. Cut in half and soak your bamboo skewers (if using) in water for 30 minutes before you’re ready to cook.
5. Thread the chicken pieces onto the skewers.
6. Heat up your barbecue or grill. When very hot cook the chicken on each side for 5 minutes until a little charred and cooked through. Serve immediately.
My grown-up chillied version served up as part of a Tapas night with the gals. Inclusive of sangria.
You might also like:
Greek Stylie Pork & Veggie Kebabs
Blue Cheese Barbecue Burgers
Chez Foti 
July 21st, 2013 at 7:05 pm
One of my all-time favourites foods too – thanks to my Far Eastern upbringing. Had some really good satay (+ Singapore noodles) in Antwerp the other day. Satay here in UK is often disappointing.
July 21st, 2013 at 7:14 pm
Whereabouts were you brought up Mark? You’re right that Satay can be disappointing, but Pig a Chic’s at FBC was AMAZING! Singapore Noodles are also on my must-make soon list 🙂
July 21st, 2013 at 9:35 pm
Sounds delicious. I love satay but had kind of forgotten about it. Thanks for the reminder!
July 25th, 2013 at 8:24 am
Satay rock, totally forgotten how good they are too!
July 21st, 2013 at 9:43 pm
I’m going to have my littlies for three weeks so I’m looking forward to making these 🙂
I made you green curry two days ago – even better than I remembered.
July 25th, 2013 at 8:25 am
Glad you like the Thai Curry! Oh please do try the Satay sticks too, sure to be a winner with kids 🙂
July 21st, 2013 at 9:45 pm
Sorry, that should be ‘your green curry’.
July 22nd, 2013 at 12:16 am
The mix of flavours in the marinade sounds delicious – I’ll need to find a veggie alternative to the chicken though! You’re right about food on sticks, it has magical properties that make it attractive to even the most fussy eaters.
July 25th, 2013 at 8:26 am
I’m sure it would work wonderfully with tofu, perhaps combined with mushrooms and aubergine which would soak up the marinade?
July 22nd, 2013 at 12:21 am
Your Satay looks amazing, I love it and that peanut sauce is the best. Looks like Jacques et al are enjoying their chicken lolly’s. Fun food!! You reminded me about FSF, totally forgot. Have to enter something quick!!
July 25th, 2013 at 8:30 am
Ah thanks, so worth the effort of making fun food for kids, they always so appreciate it!
July 22nd, 2013 at 9:30 am
Gorgeous – I’m trying this next weekend!
July 25th, 2013 at 8:34 am
Oh please do, if you could get yours hands on some lemon grass too (nigh on impossible round here) would probably be even tastier 🙂
July 25th, 2013 at 10:05 am
I wonder if it’s possible to grow this? I’ll check it out
July 25th, 2013 at 8:27 pm
Could be a fun project?! Reckon it must be possible in this heat?
July 29th, 2013 at 11:13 pm
These were absolutely gorgeous. Tried them on Sunday and partner is begging for more. Brilliant recipe!
August 3rd, 2013 at 9:50 am
So glad you liked them. Pretty morish though eh? No matter how many you make they all seem to vanish inordinately quickly!
August 3rd, 2013 at 10:00 pm
Yes. I should have made at least twice as many as I did! So yummy:-)
July 22nd, 2013 at 9:11 pm
Yummy! Plus your kids are ridiculously cute! xoxo
July 22nd, 2013 at 10:55 pm
Looks so delicious, and such cute ‘food models’! I LOVED the PIg a Chic samples – so moist and flavour-packed. It was my favourite stand of the weekend (Although I loved the peppercorns and the cold tea too!). Your satay is very similar to mine but we aren’t nearly as photogenic with it x
July 25th, 2013 at 8:37 am
Thanks Kellie, Pic a Chic were definitely in my Top 3 of FBC! Though the quality all w’end was inordinately high…still haven’t used my long peppercorns yet, but they were fabulous!
July 23rd, 2013 at 10:47 am
Your kids look like they are having such fun eating these. They make me hungry. I do love satay stick.
July 25th, 2013 at 8:38 am
Thanks Bintu! I’m thinking food of sticks from now onwards, seems to work so well with my two!
July 26th, 2013 at 11:56 am
Ooh I think I might try the kiddie version for The Mister (bit of a picky eater)! They look very tasty!
August 3rd, 2013 at 9:45 am
Oh please do try! Food on a stick is always more appealing!
August 24th, 2013 at 10:12 am
[…] lovely Louisa at Chez Foti posted up a recipe for chicken satay sticks a few weeks ago, and I decided to try […]