Easy Better Than Takeout Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
Easy, better than takeout lemongrass chicken skewers with a creamy peanut sauce are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. After making this recipe dozens of times, I discovered the trick to tender, flavorful chicken is marinating it in lemongrass, garlic, and fish sauce. The result is a fresh, aromatic dish that’s perfect for a quick dinner or cookout. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy High Protein Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad for Summer and Crispy Baked Chickpea Patties with Fresh Herbs Recipe.
Why This Easy Better Than Takeout Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy edges with juicy, tender chicken inside
- Flavorful, aromatic lemongrass marinade
- Creamy, peanutty sauce that's better than takeout
- Easy to make and perfect for a quick dinner or cookout
What You'll Need for Easy Better Than Takeout Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Lemongrass paste
- Garlic cloves
- Fish sauce
- Brown sugar
- Peanut butter
- Soy sauce
- Lime juice
- Red bell pepper
- Green onions
- Lemongrass paste
- Garlic
- Fish sauce
- Brown sugar
- Peanut butter
- Soy sauce
- Lime juice
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Chopped peanuts
- Optional: Fresh cilantro
- Optional: Lime wedges
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Chicken thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work best for this recipe. They stay moist and tender even when cooked on high heat.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Immersion blender — Makes smooth, creamy peanut sauce in seconds → See on Amazon
- Bamboo skewers — Perfect for grilling chicken skewers without burning → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Better Than Takeout Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
- Marinate the chicken: Combine chicken, lemongrass paste, garlic, fish sauce, and sugar. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Prepare the skewers: Thread chicken onto skewers and discard marinade.
- Grill the skewers: Grill for 5-7 minutes per side or until cooked through.
- Make the peanut sauce: Blend peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, and water until smooth.
- Serve: Serve chicken skewers with peanut sauce and garnish with green onions, peanuts, and lime wedges.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Better Than Takeout Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken. It can become dry. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Pro tip: For a smokier flavor, grill the skewers on a charcoal grill or add a few wood chips to your gas grill.
- Pro tip: Make the peanut sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge. It will keep for up to a week.
Storing & Reheating Easy Better Than Takeout Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours ahead. Assemble skewers just before grilling.
Freezing Easy Better Than Takeout Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
Freeze cooked chicken skewers for up to 2 months. Thaw before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Chicken may become slightly dry.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: To make your own lemongrass paste, blend lemongrass stalks, garlic, and fish sauce until smooth.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts, but be careful not to overcook them.
- Make-ahead: Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours ahead. Assemble skewers just before grilling.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your peanut sauce is too thick, add a bit more water and blend until smooth.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality lemongrass paste — Makes authentic lemongrass flavor easy to achieve → Check price on Amazon
Easy Better Than Takeout Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Lemongrass paste
- Garlic cloves
- Fish sauce
- Brown sugar
- Peanut butter
- Soy sauce
- Lime juice
- Red bell pepper
- Green onions
Seasonings
- Lemongrass paste
- Garlic
- Fish sauce
- Brown sugar
- Peanut butter
- Soy sauce
- Lime juice
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Chopped peanuts
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: Combine chicken, lemongrass paste, garlic, fish sauce, and sugar. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Prepare the skewers: Thread chicken onto skewers and discard marinade.
- Grill the skewers: Grill for 5-7 minutes per side or until cooked through.
- Make the peanut sauce: Blend peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, and water until smooth.
- Serve: Serve chicken skewers with peanut sauce and garnish with green onions, peanuts, and lime wedges.
Notes
- Chef tip: To make your own lemongrass paste, blend lemongrass stalks, garlic, and fish sauce until smooth.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts, but be careful not to overcook them.
- Make-ahead: Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours ahead. Assemble skewers just before grilling.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your peanut sauce is too thick, add a bit more water and blend until smooth.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken skewers for up to 2 months. Thaw before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Chicken may become slightly dry.
- Make ahead: Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours ahead. Assemble skewers just before grilling.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 380
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbs: 17g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 105mg
- Sat. Fat: 5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Better Than Takeout Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce FAQs
Yes, thread the chicken onto skewers and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry chicken. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C) but no more.
Yes, marinate the chicken up to 24 hours ahead. Assemble skewers just before grilling.
Serve with jasmine rice, noodles, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Yes, freeze cooked chicken skewers for up to 2 months. Thaw before reheating.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Better Than Takeout Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
