Bold, Nutty, and Packed with Veggies – A Vibrant Asian-Inspired Wok Dish
Craving something hearty yet healthy, vibrant yet comforting? This Peanut Satay Chicken Stir Fry hits every note. It’s a rich and colorful vegetable and chicken wok dish where tender strips of chicken meet crispy veggies in a creamy, spiced peanut sauce. Inspired by the ever-popular chicken satay skewers of Southeast Asia, this stir fry version delivers all the flavor without the grill.
Whether you’re looking for a fast weeknight meal or prepping for a weekend family dinner, this dish brings together the best of Asian dishes with western ease.
🧡 Why You’ll Love This Chicken Satay Stir Fry
- ✅ Full of Flavor: Peanutty, savory, tangy, and just a little spicy — the satay sauce is a total crowd-pleaser.
- ✅ Quick & Easy: It’s ready in 30 minutes and cooked entirely in one wok.
- ✅ Healthy & Satisfying: Loaded with colorful veggies, lean protein, and healthy fats.
- ✅ Versatile: Swap in your favorite vegetables or protein.
- ✅ Meal Prep Approved: Stores well for easy lunchboxes or dinners.
Think of this as your go-to wok-cooked chicken dish that delivers restaurant-level flavor but is made entirely at home.
📝 Ingredients
🍗 For the Chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (for crispiness)
🥦 For the Veggies (customizable!)
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 zucchini, halved and thinly sliced
- 1 large carrot, julienned
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup sugar snap peas or green beans
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for stir frying)
🥜 For the Satay Peanut Sauce
- 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter (unsweetened)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce (optional but adds umami depth)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp chili flakes or 1 tbsp Sriracha (adjust to heat preference)
- 1/4 cup warm water to thin
🌿 Garnishes
- Crushed roasted peanuts
- Fresh cilantro or Thai basil
- Lime wedges
- Thinly sliced green onions
🍚 Optional for Serving
- Jasmine rice, brown rice, rice noodles, or cauliflower rice
- Stuffed sweet peppers (for a fun twist — details below!)
🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
In a medium bowl, toss together:
- Sliced chicken breast
- Soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Cornstarch
Let the chicken sit while you prep the veggies and sauce — even 10 minutes of marinating gives better flavor and helps the chicken crisp in the pan.
This simple marinade also mimics the flavors of traditional chicken satay skewers and gives a light coating that helps lock in moisture.
Step 2: Make the Peanut Satay Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together all ingredients for the sauce:
- Peanut butter
- Soy sauce
- Fish sauce (optional but highly recommended)
- Rice vinegar
- Honey or maple syrup
- Lime juice
- Chili flakes or Sriracha
- Warm water
Whisk until smooth and creamy. Adjust thickness with extra water and heat with more chili flakes if desired. The sauce should be pourable — rich but not too thick.
This satay sauce is the heart of the dish. It’s creamy, slightly sweet, salty, tangy, and spicy all at once — and it clings beautifully to stir-fried ingredients.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the marinated chicken in a single layer. Let it sear for 1–2 minutes before stirring — this helps develop color and flavor.
Stir fry until the chicken is golden and cooked through, about 6–7 minutes total. Remove and set aside.
Step 4: Stir Fry the Vegetables
In the same wok, add:
- Garlic and ginger
- Sliced onion
- Carrots and zucchini
- Bell peppers
- Snap peas
Stir fry for 4–5 minutes, keeping the heat high and the vegetables moving. You want them cooked but still crisp for that classic veggie stir fry texture.
The secret to perfect stir fry? High heat, fast movement, and not overcrowding the pan.
Step 5: Combine and Sauce
Return the chicken to the wok. Pour in the peanut satay sauce. Toss everything together until evenly coated.
Let it cook for another 1–2 minutes until heated through and the sauce thickens slightly.
Taste and adjust — maybe a splash more lime, a pinch of chili, or a dash of soy.
Step 6: Serve and Garnish
Serve the stir fry hot over rice, noodles, or inside halved stuffed sweet peppers for a unique twist. Garnish generously with:
- Crushed peanuts
- Fresh cilantro
- Green onions
- Lime wedges
This final layer of freshness and texture makes each bite pop!
🌈 Creative Serving Ideas
1. Stuffed Sweet Peppers
Slice mini sweet peppers in half, remove seeds, and stuff them with the finished stir fry. Broil for 3–5 minutes for a party-ready stuffed sweet peppers dish.
2. Lettuce Cups
Use romaine or butter lettuce leaves as cups for a low-carb option.
3. Noodle Bowl
Swap rice for vermicelli or soba noodles to turn this into a hearty Asian noodle bowl.
🥄 Make It Your Own
This chicken stir fry is endlessly flexible. Try these variations:
✅ Make It Vegetarian
Use tofu or tempeh instead of chicken. Press tofu, cube it, and pan-fry until crispy before adding to the stir fry.
✅ Add More Heat
Love spice? Add chili oil, chopped Thai chilies, or double up the Sriracha.
✅ Nut-Free Version
Use sunflower seed butter or tahini if you’re avoiding peanuts.
✅ Use Different Veggies
Try mushrooms, broccoli, bok choy, baby corn, or edamame — whatever’s in season or in your fridge.
🕒 Meal Prep & Storage Tips
This dish makes excellent leftovers!
- Fridge: Store in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
- Reheat Tip: Stir gently over low heat so the sauce doesn’t separate.
Pro tip: Double the recipe and divide into containers with rice or noodles for easy grab-and-go lunches all week.
🌍 What is Satay?
Satay is a Southeast Asian dish of skewered, grilled meat served with a rich peanut sauce. Originating in Indonesia, it’s a beloved street food across Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. The sauce typically blends roasted peanuts, coconut milk, soy, and spices — the ultimate comfort food in many Asian cuisines.
In this stir fry adaptation, we bring all the flavor of chicken satay — nutty, spicy, sweet — and toss it into a fresh and fast wok-cooked chicken dish.
📸 Food Styling Tips (For Pinterest or Instagram)
- Color contrast: Serve in a matte black or dark blue bowl to make the veggies pop.
- Garnish generously: Add bright green cilantro, lime wedges, chopped peanuts.
- Texture matters: Drizzle extra satay sauce over the top for that creamy finish.
- Bonus aesthetic: Arrange spoonfuls of stir fry into halved stuffed sweet peppers for a beautiful, colorful party platter.
Include a subtle white text banner with the recipe title:
“Peanut Satay Chicken Stir Fry” across the top for recipe images or Pinterest graphics.
📖 Nutrition Info (Per Serving, approx.)
- Calories: 430
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 6g
Note: May vary depending on exact ingredients and serving size.
🏁 Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a bold, satisfying, and wholesome meal, this Peanut Satay Chicken Stir Fry delivers every time. Whether you’re chasing the richness of satay sauce, the satisfying crispness of a great veggie stir fry, or the quick comfort of a chicken stir fry — this recipe packs it all in.
It’s easy, fast, and endlessly adaptable. Add it to your rotation of healthy Asian dishes, experiment with different veggies or proteins, or get fancy and stuff it into sweet peppers for a beautiful presentation.
One pan, one sauce, a mountain of flavor. This is your new favorite stir fry.
