These Asian chicken skewers with a creamy peanut dipping sauce are a crowd-pleasing appetizer or light main. Tender strips of chicken soak up a fragrant, Asian-inspired marinade and are served with a tangy, slightly sweet peanut sauce. They travel well, can be made ahead, and are perfect for parties, potlucks, or casual family meals.
Asian Chicken Skewers with Peanut Dipping Sauce – Perfect for Sharing
If you want an impressive, make-ahead appetizer that’s easy to serve and fun to eat, these skewers are an excellent choice. They look beautiful on a platter and require no utensils, making them ideal for mingling at gatherings. They’re also great as a main course—serve two or three skewers with a simple green salad and seasoned rice for a satisfying dinner.
I recently brought a platter to a neighborhood gathering and the skewers were among the first plates to clear. They travel well, hold up at room temperature, and consistently disappear fast—no leftovers to worry about.
How to Make Asian Chicken Skewers
These skewers are straightforward to prepare and can be made ahead. The ingredient list may look long, but most items combine into a simple marinade. Mix the marinade, add the chicken tenderloins, and let them marinate. For best flavor, marinate overnight, though a minimum of four hours works if you’re short on time.
After marinating, thread the chicken onto skewers and grill until cooked through. If you use bamboo skewers, soak them in water for at least an hour before grilling to prevent burning. No grill? Broil the skewers in the oven, turning once halfway through cooking. Serve the skewers hot or chilled—the flavors tend to brighten slightly if the chicken is brought closer to room temperature before serving.
Asian Chicken Skewers with Peanut Dipping Sauce
- Author: Marie Bostwick
Yield: Serves 12 as an appetizer, 4 to 6 as an entree 1x
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken tenderloins (or chicken thighs cut into strips)
- 12 skewers (bamboo or metal)
For the marinade:
- ¼ cup mirin
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tsp lemongrass paste
- 2 tsp ginger paste or grated fresh ginger
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 shallot, chopped
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the peanut dipping sauce:
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup hoisin sauce
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
Instructions
- Combine all marinade ingredients in a medium bowl. Add the chicken and stir to coat, pressing the pieces into the marinade so they’re well submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Alternatively, place chicken and marinade in a sealed zipper bag.
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least one hour before grilling to prevent burning.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high. Remove chicken from the marinade and thread the pieces onto skewers.
- Grill the skewers for about 10–12 minutes, turning once halfway through so each side cooks 5–6 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
- Whisk the peanut sauce ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth. Serve the skewers hot or chilled with the peanut dipping sauce on the side.
