Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Weeknight Food Made Fast

These chicken skewers are great as an appetizer or as a main dish. They can be prepared on the grill or indoors under the broiler. If you use wooden skewers, be sure to soak them in water for 30-60 minutes to avoid burning them. Also allow enough room away from the heat.

Ingredients:

2 limes – 1/4 tsp zest and 1/4 cup lime juice
1/3 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup chunky peanut butter 
Fresh cilantro ¼ cup minced
Ginger, 1 Tbsp minced
Garlic, 3 cloves minced
Lite soy sauce, 3 Tbsp
Light brown sugar, 3 Tbsp firmly packed
Asian sesame oil, 1 Tbsp
Skinless, boneless chickn breast halves, about 1 ½ pounds, cut lengthwise into thick strips
Romaine lettuce, 1 small head, cored and leaves shredded
Cucumber, 1 peeled and sliced

Directions:

1. Place 8 bamboo skewers in cold water to soak until ready to use.
2. In a glass or ceramic bowl, whisk lime zest, juice, vinegar, and peanut butter until smooth.
3. Stir in the cilantro, ginger, garlic, soy, brown sugar and sesame oil. Reserve about ½ cup in separate bowl for use as a sauce.
4. Add the chicken to the marinade and turn to coat. Let stand at room temperature for at least 10 minutes, or cover and refrigerate until ready to cook.
5. Cook the chicken: Meanwhle, prepare a gas or charcoal grill for direct-heat grilling over medium-high heat and oil the grill rack. Or, preheat a broiler. When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade. Divide the strips among the 8 skewers, threading the strips on lengthwise. Place the skewers on the grill rack, or put them on a baking sheet or in a broiler pan and place under the broiler. Cook, turning once, until seared on the outside and opaque throughout, about 6 – 12 minutes total.
6. Divide the lettuce, cucumber slices, and chicken skewers among 4 plates. Drizzle with some of the reserved sauce and serve, passing additional sauce at the table.
7. To use this recipe as a vegetable dip or a thicker dip for the chicken (my preference), add about 1/4 cup more peanut butter to the sauce to desired consistency.