Easy chicken satay with zucchini noodles, mushrooms and an addictive peanut sauce is a crave-worthy one-pot 30-minute healthy dinner!
Happy Friday, friends!
I’m especially happy about this one because I’ve got my annual boat day with my girl friends this weekend.
We all bring food and drinks, we load up the boat and go cruise around, stopping to take a dip when it gets hot. We usually pull up to a restaurant for a drink at some point and head back to make dinner together and stay up late watching movies and chatting.
We always boat to breakfast at a diner on the lake the next morning before heading home.
It’s glorious!
And has nothing to do with today’s recipe.
This delicious dinner was prompted by my love for zoodles.
I got a spiralizer last year and have loved experimenting with it!
Mostly I make the standard zucchini noodles to stand in for pasta.
It's an easy heathy substitute that makes most meals, like this one, gluten free and low carb as well.
I’ve also tried out carrots and cucumber (like with my spicy pork fried rice) and next I want to make sweet potato fries with spiralized sweet potatoes. Such a fun tool!
And this easy chicken satay with zoodles is a great way to get started if you’re new to spiralizing.
The zucchini is spiralized, mixed into the skillet with the chicken and coated with a creamy peanut sauce that is utterly addictive.
You’ll want to make more of the sauce so you can put it on oh, everything!
Plus, this a healthy but hearty one-pot dinner that’s ready in 30 minutes. My kind of meal.
Notes on easy chicken satay:
- You can do half regular noodles (cooked separately) and half zucchini noodles if your crowd is slow to convert to zoodles as a substitute.
- You can skip the mushrooms if you’re not a fan. I just love the earthy flavor and meatiness they bring to the dish.
- I simply shake the peanut dressing up in a mason jar. It’s super easy and allows me to re-shake right before adding.
- If your peanut sauce gets too thick after mixing it initially, just add another tablespoon or two of hot water and shake it up again before adding it. It should be pretty thick though because it’ll loosen up with all the liquid from the zucchini in the skillet.
- You can substitute a spicy green chili (or even a jalapeño) if you can’t find a red chili.
- You also can substitute 1 teaspoon ground ginger instead of using fresh ginger, if that’s all you have.
- Don’t skip the fresh peanuts on top - they add a great crunch factor to contrast the soft, creamy chicken and zoodles.
Also, because I get this question a lot... what if I don't have a spiralizer? No problem!
Options for a spiralizer substitute:
- You can use the shredder blade on your food processor. However, this makes small pieces so don’t add them to your pan - just put them straight on the plate and mix with the chicken satay there so they don’t turn to complete mush.
- Or you can use a vegetable peeler. A julienne peeler is the closest bet but a regular one will work. You just won’t have a noodle-like shape.
- Also, you can just cut long, thin strips of zucchini with a knife. Just cut in half lengthwise, cut in half again and then cut thin strips. Check and adjust your time so that they get tender in the pan when you sauté them.
OK, that was more than a few notes. I just want to make sure you've got all the info so you can try this easy chicken satay.
What are your favorite fun fruit and veggie shapes? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!
Enjoy!
XO,
Kathryn
Easy chicken satay with zoodles and mushrooms
A one-pot, 30-minute easy chicken satay dinner with zoodles and an addictive peanut sauce!
Ingredients
For the satay chicken:
- 1 tablespoon canola oil, divided
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into short thin slices (about bite size, see picture)
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 1 (8 oz.) package cremini mushrooms, halved (or quartered, if large)
- 4 medium zucchini, spiralized
For the peanut dressing:
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (from about a 1-inch piece, or substitute 1 teaspoon ground ginger)
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 small spicy red chili, finely chopped (leave seeds and membranes in for some heat, remove to reduce heat)
- ¼ - ⅓ cup hot water (as needed, see notes)
For serving:
- 4-5 green onions, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced on the diagonal
- ⅓ cup peanuts, chopped
Instructions
- Heat 2 teaspoons of canola oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
- Add sliced chicken and season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
- Cook 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through. Remove to a bowl.
- Wipe out the skillet (or just dump out any extra liquid that has accumulated) and add remaining teaspoon of canola oil.
- Add mushrooms and cook 5-6 minutes, until browned and liquid has been released and evaporated.
- While the mushrooms are cooking, make the peanut dressing. Add all ingredients to a small jar, starting with ¼ cup hot water. Cover and shake to combine. If the mixture is too thick, add another splash of hot water, as needed. (See notes below.)
- Add zucchini noodles to the panand stir fry for 2-3 minutes. Add remaining ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper.
- Return the chicken to the pan. Add the peanut dressing and stir to combine and incorporate. (Tongs may be more helpful than a spoon now.)
- Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve sprinkled with green onions and chopped peanuts.
Notes
Add hot water to your peanut mixture to get it mixed to a thick but pour-able consistency. If it gets too thick after mixing it initially, just add another tablespoon or two of hot water and shake it up again before adding it to the pan. It will loosen up with all the liquid from the zoodles in the pan.
You can do half regular noodles (cooked separately) and half zucchini noodles if you or your family is slow to convert to zoodles as a substitute.
You can substitute a spicy green chili (or even a jalapeño) if you can’t find a red chili.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 573Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 145mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 6gSugar: 9gProtein: 61g
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
O I love chicken satay!!! This is such a great all in one skillet meal...so peanutty and creamy!
Kathryn
Thanks Rebecca! I'm obsessed with this peanut sauce!
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food
Sounds like you have quite the fun weekend planned and so much to look forward to!!
Chicken Satay is delicious! I totally have to get a spiralizer. It's been on my list to get, but haven't gotten one yet. I better get on that 'cause I would love to try this recipe! That dressing sounds divine!
Have a fun weekend with your friends, Kathryn! xo
Kathryn
Thanks so much Dawn! Can't wait to get on that boat!!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus
This sounds amazing! I wonder if it would be as good with an almond or cashew sauce vs. peanut.
Kathryn
Thanks Nicole! It would be a slightly different flavor, but I think you could absolutely make that work!
Farrah
I love chicken satay! 😀 This looks + sounds super tasty (+ I love that it's done in 30 minutes--those are the best kinds of recipes)!
Kathryn
Agree -- 30 minute meals are my lifesaver on busy days!! This chicken satay is quick and definitely doesn't disappoint - hope you give it a try!
Nancy | Plus Ate Six
Hope you had an amazing weekend it sounds so idyllic. I really do have to get ONE of my spiralizers out of the cupboards - geez I have two and never use them there really is no excuse is there?
Kathryn
You have two spiralizers?! Girl, bust those babies out and get your veggie on! 😉
karrie@TastyEverAfter
Hope you have a great day boating with the girls! I would totally crash that party if I lived close to you. hahaha! You had me at one pot and peanut sauce with this recipe. I love satay and can't wait to try this recipe. Perfect weeknight (or weekend when I don't feel like cooking) dinner 🙂
Kathryn
You would have fit in great Karrie! I love satay too and this is an easy way to get my fix!
Scott Groth
What a great looking recipe. Healthy, delicious and fast are always a winning combination. Thanks for sharing!
Kathryn
Thanks so much Scott!