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Grilled peanut-free chicken satay in a terracotta bowl with almond sauce, cilantro, and lime wedges

Peanut-Free Chicken Satay (Grilled, Paleo, Whole30)

40aprons.com/peanut-free-chicken-satay-paleo-whole30/
Grilled bone-in chicken marinated in a rich almond butter and coconut milk sauce with sesame oil, coconut aminos, and lime. Peanut-free, Whole30 compliant, and packed with all the bold, savory flavor of classic Thai satay!
Prep 1 hour 5 minutes
Cook 20 minutes
Total 1 hour 25 minutes
Recipe Makes (Approximate): 4 people

Equipment

  • grill
  • instant read thermometer
  • Large baking dish or zip-top bag
  • medium mixing bowl
  • whisk
  • Tongs
  • Airtight container
  • Cutting board

Ingredients

  • 3 ½ pounds pounds bone-in chicken pieces
  • ½ cup creamy almond butter
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 1 cup full-fat coconut milk (stirred well)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (juice of about 2 limes)
  • ¼ cup coconut aminos
  • 1 ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • 3 garlic cloves (minced)
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 tbsp fresh chopped cilantro (for garnish, if desired)
  • 1 tbsp chopped almonds (for garnish, if desired)

Instructions

Make the Marinade and Marinate the Chicken

  • In a medium bowl, combine ½ cup creamy almond butter, 2 teaspoons sesame oil, 1 cup full-fat coconut milk (stirred well), 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, ¼ cup coconut aminos, 1½ teaspoons ground ginger, 3 garlic cloves (minced), and ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes. Whisk until smooth and fully combined.
  • Measure out 1 cup of the marinade and transfer it to an airtight container. Refrigerate until ready to serve — this is your dipping sauce.
  • Place 3½ pounds bone-in chicken pieces in a large baking dish or zip-top bag. Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken, turning to coat all sides evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight, turning at least once.

Grill the Chicken

  • Lightly oil the grill grates and preheat the grill to medium-high heat, about 400–450°F.
  • Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard any marinade that touched the raw chicken. Place chicken pieces skin-side down on the grill. Cook for 5–7 minutes, or until the skin is browned and releases cleanly from the grates, then flip.
  • Continue grilling based on the cut: boneless, skinless chicken breasts need another 2–5 minutes until an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F at the thickest part. Legs need another 5–7 minutes until they reach 165°F. Thighs need another 10–12 minutes, flipping as needed, until they reach 175–180°F for the best texture.
  • Remove chicken from the grill and let rest 5 minutes before serving. Serve with the reserved dipping sauce and garnish with 1 tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro and 1 tablespoon chopped almonds, if desired.

Recipe Notes

Coconut Milk: Use full-fat canned coconut milk only, stirred well before measuring. Light coconut milk is too thin and will result in a watery sauce that won't cling to the chicken properly.
Almond Butter: Use a plain, unsweetened creamy almond butter with no added sugar or oils. Many store-bought brands contain additives that aren't Whole30 compliant — check the label.
Coconut Aminos: This is your soy sauce substitute, and it's essential for that savory, umami backbone. Tamari or soy sauce are not Whole30 compliant; coconut aminos are the right call here.
Storage: Leftover chicken keeps in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven covered with foil for about 15 minutes, or microwave individual pieces with a splash of water or leftover sauce to keep things moist. The dipping sauce keeps separately in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Make it Nut-Free: Swap almond butter for sunflower seed butter (unsweetened, no added oils) to make this recipe safe for tree nut allergies as well. Keep all other ingredients the same.

Nutrition Information (Approximate)

Serving Size: 4gCalories: 372calProtein: 9gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 353mgPotassium: 410mgTotal Carbs: 14gFiber: 4gSugar: 2gNet Carbs: 10gVitamin A: 104IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 136mgIron: 3mg
Recipe By: Cheryl Malik
https://40aprons.com/peanut-free-chicken-satay-paleo-whole30/