Chicken Satay Skewers with Peanut Sauce and Cucumber Salad

Satay works best with chicken thighs, which stay juicy on the grill where breast dries out. The peanut sauce takes five minutes and needs nothing but a pan. The sharp cucumber salad is not optional: it cuts through the richness of the sauce.

Dinner

Serves 4

Grilled chicken satay skewers with peanut sauce, a cucumber and red onion salad and lime wedges

Ingredients

For the chicken
600g skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into 3cm strips
1 tbsp tamari (or soy sauce if gluten is not a concern)
2 cloves garlic, crushed
A thumb of ginger, grated (about 15g)
1 tsp ground turmeric and 1 tsp ground coriander
1 tbsp lime juice and 1 tsp honey
For the peanut sauce
80g smooth peanut butter (100% peanuts)
100ml light coconut milk
1 tbsp tamari, 1 tbsp lime juice and 2 tsp honey
A pinch of chilli flakes and 2 to 4 tbsp hot water
For the cucumber salad
1 cucumber, halved and thinly sliced
Half a small red onion, thinly sliced
1 tbsp rice vinegar and a pinch of salt
A handful of coriander
To serve: 200g brown rice (uncooked weight) and lime wedges
You will also need 8 skewers (soak wooden ones in water for 20 minutes)

Method

Start the rice: cook it in plenty of boiling water for about 25 minutes, until tender, then drain.
Mix the chicken with the tamari, garlic, ginger, spices, lime juice and honey. Leave for at least 15 minutes, or up to a day in the fridge.
Meanwhile, make the salad: toss the cucumber and onion with the rice vinegar and salt and set aside. The onion softens and turns pink as it sits.
For the sauce, warm the peanut butter, coconut milk, tamari, lime juice, honey and chilli in a small pan over a low heat, whisking until smooth. Add hot water a spoonful at a time until it pours like thick cream. It thickens as it cools.
Thread the chicken onto the skewers, concertina-style, leaving small gaps so it cooks evenly.
Heat a griddle pan or grill to high. Cook the skewers for 8 to 10 minutes, turning every 2 to 3 minutes, until charred at the edges and cooked through, with no pink meat and the juices running clear.
Stir the coriander into the cucumber salad. Serve the skewers on the rice with the salad, a bowl of warm peanut sauce and lime wedges.

Why it works

A serving has about 40g of protein, most of it from the chicken, with a little more from the peanuts. That makes it one of the highest-protein dinners on the site, which is why it is tagged for testosterone: eating enough protein matters for keeping muscle, especially if you are training or losing weight.

Why thighs, not breast. Thighs carry a little more fat, which keeps them juicy on a hot grill. The difference in calories is small, and it is the reason satay made at home often tastes dry.

Peanut butter is a good fat, in a sensible amount. Most of its fat is unsaturated, and peanuts are a legume, so they bring protein and fibre as well. Choose one that is just peanuts, with no added sugar or palm oil. Shop-bought satay sauces are often much sweeter. The sauce here has about a teaspoon of honey per serving.

Brown rice and the vegetable side keep the carbohydrate slow to digest. Ginger, garlic and turmeric give it real flavour without relying on salt.

Peanuts are a common allergen: if you are cooking for others, check first, or make the sauce with tahini instead. For another quick chicken dinner, try the chicken and broccoli stir-fry with ginger. For how protein and body fat affect testosterone, see the best diet for testosterone.

chocolate-avocado-mousse

Chocolate Avocado Mousse (Dairy-Free)

Snack

avocado, cocoa, banana, maple syrup, soy milk, raspberries

Glasses of chocolate avocado mousse topped with fresh raspberries and a sprinkle of cocoa

pork-tenderloin-apples-red-cabbage

Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Red Cabbage

Dinner

pork, apple, red cabbage, onion, cider vinegar, honey, wholegrain mustard, thyme, potatoes, olive oil

Sliced roast pork tenderloin on braised red cabbage with roasted apple wedges and new potatoes

courgette-feta-fritters

Courgette and Feta Fritters

Lunch

courgette, feta, eggs, wholemeal flour, spring onions, dill, mint, olive oil, greek yogurt, lemon, garlic

Golden courgette and feta fritters on a plate with a bowl of lemon and garlic yogurt dip and fresh herbs

chicken-satay-peanut-sauce

Chicken Satay Skewers with Peanut Sauce and Cucumber Salad

Dinner

chicken, peanut butter, coconut milk, tamari, garlic, ginger, turmeric, lime, honey, cucumber, red onion, rice vinegar, brown rice, coriander

minestrone-soup-cannellini-beans

Minestrone Soup with Cannellini Beans

Lunch

cannellini beans, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, courgette, tomatoes, tomato puree, wholewheat pasta, kale, parmesan, olive oil, stock

Bowl of minestrone soup with cannellini beans, small pasta, kale and vegetables, topped with grated Parmesan

baked-oats-apple-cinnamon

Baked Oats with Apple and Cinnamon

Breakfast

oats, apple, eggs, milk, walnuts, cinnamon, maple syrup, greek yogurt

Baked oats with sliced apple and walnuts in a ceramic baking dish, dusted with cinnamon and served with Greek yogurt

greek-yogurt-bark-berries-pistachios

Greek Yogurt Bark with Berries and Pistachios

Snack

greek yogurt, honey, blueberries, pistachios, dark chocolate

Pieces of frozen Greek yogurt bark topped with blueberries, raspberries, chopped pistachios and dark chocolate on a baking tray

sweet-potato-hash-eggs-kale

Sweet Potato Hash with Eggs and Kale

Breakfast

sweet potato, eggs, kale, onion, red pepper, garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, olive oil

Sweet potato hash in a cast iron skillet with crispy sweet potato cubes, red pepper, kale and four fried eggs with runny yolks

lentil-mushroom-burgers

Lentil and Mushroom Burgers (Vegan)

Lunch

lentils, mushrooms, onion, garlic, oats, walnuts, flaxseed, tomato puree, tamari, smoked paprika, olive oil, avocado, rocket, tomatoes

Homemade lentil and mushroom burger in a wholemeal bun with avocado, rocket and sliced tomato

trout-almonds-green-beans

Pan-Fried Trout with Almonds and Green Beans

Dinner

trout, almonds, green beans, potatoes, butter, olive oil, lemon, parsley

Pan-fried trout fillet with crispy skin topped with toasted flaked almonds, served with green beans, new potatoes and a lemon wedge

lamb-kofta-tzatziki-bulgur

Lamb Kofta with Tzatziki and Bulgur Salad

Dinner

lamb mince, onion, garlic, parsley, mint, cumin, greek yogurt, cucumber, lemon, bulgur wheat, tomatoes, spring onions, olive oil

Grilled lamb kofta on skewers with a bowl of tzatziki and a bulgur wheat salad with tomatoes, cucumber and parsley

baked-oysters-garlic-spinach

Baked Oysters with Garlic, Spinach and Parmesan

Dinner

oysters, spinach, garlic, shallots, parmesan, lemon, olive oil, chilli flakes

Baked oysters on the half shell topped with spinach and golden Parmesan crumbs, served on rock salt with lemon wedges

kale-walnut-pesto-pasta

Wholewheat Pasta with Kale and Walnut Pesto

Dinner

wholewheat pasta, kale, walnuts, garlic, parmesan, lemon, olive oil, tomatoes, chilli flakes

Wholewheat spaghetti tossed in green kale and walnut pesto with halved cherry tomatoes and grated cheese in a bowl

miso-cod-pak-choi

Miso Cod with Pak Choi and Brown Rice

Dinner

cod, miso, pak choi, ginger, garlic, honey, sesame oil, spring onions, sesame seeds, brown rice

Miso glazed cod fillet with caramelised top, garlic pak choi and brown rice, sprinkled with sesame seeds and spring onions

mushroom-barley-risotto

Mushroom and Pearl Barley Risotto with Spinach

Dinner

pearl barley, mushrooms, onion, garlic, thyme, stock, spinach, parmesan, lemon, olive oil

Creamy mushroom and pearl barley risotto with wilted spinach, thyme and grated cheese in a shallow bowl

butternut-squash-soup-ginger

Butternut Squash and Ginger Soup with White Beans

Lunch

butternut squash, onion, carrots, garlic, ginger, white beans, stock, cumin, pumpkin seeds, olive oil, lemon

Bowl of smooth orange butternut squash soup topped with toasted pumpkin seeds and a swirl of olive oil

seed-crackers-gluten-free

Seed Crackers (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

Snack

pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseed, chia seeds, sesame seeds, rosemary

Thin golden seed crackers with pumpkin, sunflower and sesame seeds broken into shards on a board

low-sugar-granola-nuts-seeds

Low-Sugar Granola with Nuts and Seeds

Breakfast

oats, almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseed, cinnamon

Homemade low-sugar granola clusters with almonds, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds on a baking tray

chilli-garlic-edamame

Chilli Garlic Edamame

Snack

edamame, garlic, chilli flakes, sesame oil, tamari, lime

Bowl of chilli garlic edamame beans in their pods with sesame and lime

moroccan-chickpea-lentil-stew

Moroccan Chickpea and Lentil Stew with Spinach

Lunch

chickpeas, lentils, carrots, onion, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, stock, cumin, cinnamon, smoked paprika, chilli flakes, lemon, olive oil, coriander

Moroccan chickpea and red lentil stew with spinach and carrots in a bowl, topped with coriander and lemon

chicken-burrito-bowl

Chicken Burrito Bowl with Black Beans and Avocado

Lunch

chicken, brown rice, black beans, red pepper, onion, tomatoes, avocado, lime, coriander, greek yogurt, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, olive oil

Chicken burrito bowl with brown rice, black beans, sliced chicken, peppers, tomatoes, avocado and lime

smoked-mackerel-kedgeree

Smoked Mackerel Kedgeree with Eggs and Spinach

Dinner

mackerel, brown rice, eggs, onion, peas, spinach, curry powder, turmeric, lemon, coriander, greek yogurt, olive oil

Smoked mackerel kedgeree with yellow spiced rice, halved soft-boiled eggs, spinach and lemon wedges in a pan

chicken-broccoli-stir-fry

15-Minute Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry with Ginger

Dinner

chicken, broccoli, red pepper, spring onions, garlic, ginger, egg noodles, tamari, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sesame seeds

Chicken and tenderstem broccoli stir-fry with red pepper and noodles in a wok, topped with sesame seeds

protein-pancakes-cottage-cheese

Banana Oat Protein Pancakes with Cottage Cheese

Breakfast

oats, banana, eggs, cottage cheese, greek yogurt, blueberries, cinnamon

Stack of banana oat protein pancakes topped with Greek yogurt and blueberries on a plate

thai-green-prawn-curry

Thai Green Prawn Curry with Broccoli

Dinner

prawns, coconut milk, broccoli, red pepper, lime, coriander, brown rice

Thai green prawn curry with broccoli and red pepper in a bowl, with brown rice and lime

salmon-traybake-potatoes-broccoli

Salmon Traybake with New Potatoes, Broccoli and Dill Yogurt

Dinner

salmon, potatoes, broccoli, lemon, dill, olive oil, greek yogurt

Baked salmon fillets with new potatoes, tenderstem broccoli and lemon on a baking tray

greek-lemon-chicken-traybake

Greek Lemon Chicken Traybake with Potatoes and Olives

Dinner

chicken, potatoes, onion, red pepper, olives, garlic, lemon, olive oil, oregano, greek yogurt, cucumber, dill

Roast chicken thighs with lemon halves, potatoes, red onion, peppers and black olives on a baking tray

tuna-white-bean-salad

Tuna, White Bean and Red Onion Salad

Lunch

tuna, white beans, onion, tomatoes, cucumber, rocket, capers, parsley, lemon, olive oil

Tuna and white bean salad with red onion, cherry tomatoes, rocket and capers in a bowl

spinach-feta-egg-muffins

Spinach, Feta and Red Pepper Egg Muffins

Breakfast

eggs, spinach, feta, red pepper, spring onions, milk, chilli flakes, olive oil

Twelve golden egg muffins with spinach, feta and red pepper in a muffin tin

chia-pudding-mango-lime

Chia Pudding with Mango, Lime and Pumpkin Seeds

Breakfast

chia seeds, soy milk, mango, lime, pumpkin seeds

Chia seed pudding in a glass topped with diced mango, lime zest and pumpkin seeds

beetroot-walnut-hummus

Beetroot and Walnut Hummus

Snack

beetroot, chickpeas, walnuts, tahini, lemon, garlic, cumin, olive oil, carrots, cucumber, red pepper

Bright pink beetroot hummus topped with walnuts and olive oil, with vegetable sticks

turkish-eggs-garlic-yogurt

Turkish Eggs with Garlic Yogurt and Chilli Butter

Breakfast

eggs, greek yogurt, garlic, butter, chilli flakes, dill, parsley, sourdough, olive oil

Two poached eggs on garlic yogurt, drizzled with red chilli butter and dill

smoky-roasted-chickpeas

Smoky Roasted Chickpeas

Snack

chickpeas, olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin

Bowl of crispy roasted chickpeas with smoked paprika

chicken-ginger-congee

Chicken and Ginger Congee

Dinner

chicken, brown rice, ginger, garlic, spring onions, stock, sesame oil, tamari

Bowl of chicken congee with ginger and spring onions

red-lentil-dal-spinach

Red Lentil Dal with Spinach and Ginger

Dinner

lentils, spinach, onion, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, turmeric, cumin, coconut milk, brown rice

Bowl of golden red lentil dal with spinach and rice

steak-rocket-parmesan-salad

Steak, Rocket and Parmesan Salad

Lunch

steak, rocket, parmesan, tomatoes, olive oil, lemon

Sliced steak on rocket with parmesan shavings and tomatoes

quinoa-edamame-pumpkin-salad

Quinoa, Edamame and Pumpkin Seed Salad

Lunch

quinoa, edamame, pumpkin seeds, cucumber, lemon, olive oil, spring onions, parsley

Quinoa salad with green edamame and toasted pumpkin seeds

tofu-scramble-turmeric-spinach

Tofu Scramble with Turmeric, Spinach and Tomatoes

Breakfast

tofu, spinach, tomatoes, turmeric, onion, garlic, olive oil, sourdough, nutritional yeast

Yellow turmeric tofu scramble with spinach and tomatoes in a pan

date-cacao-protein-balls

Date and Cacao Protein Balls

Snack

dates, peanut butter, almond butter, protein powder, cacao, hemp seeds, chia seeds, cinnamon

Date and cacao protein balls on a board, some cut in half

mussels-tomato-garlic-broth

Mussels in Tomato and Garlic Broth

Dinner

mussels, tomatoes, garlic, onion, parsley, chilli flakes, sourdough, olive oil, lemon

Open mussels in a red tomato broth with sourdough

cottage-cheese-pomegranate-walnuts

Cottage Cheese with Pomegranate, Walnuts and Honey

Snack

cottage cheese, pomegranate, walnuts, honey, cinnamon, greek yogurt

Bowl of cottage cheese topped with pomegranate seeds and walnuts

chicken-butter-bean-kale-pot

Chicken, Butter Bean and Kale One-Pot

Dinner

chicken, white beans, kale, onion, garlic, lemon, olive oil, stock, parsley, tomatoes

One-pot chicken with butter beans and dark green kale

mackerel-egg-watercress-toast

Smoked Mackerel, Poached Egg and Watercress on Sourdough

Breakfast

mackerel, eggs, watercress, sourdough, lemon, olive oil, tomatoes

Smoked mackerel and poached egg on sourdough with watercress

turmeric-tempeh-cauliflower-bowl

Turmeric Tempeh and Cauliflower Bowl with Tahini

Lunch

tempeh, cauliflower, tahini, chickpeas, turmeric, lemon, olive oil, spinach, cumin, garlic

Bowl of roast cauliflower and tempeh with tahini dressing

miso-tofu-edamame-noodle-soup

Miso, Tofu and Edamame Soup with Buckwheat Noodles

Lunch

miso, tofu, edamame, buckwheat, spring onions, garlic, ginger, seaweed, sesame oil, spinach

Bowl of miso noodle soup with tofu cubes and green edamame

kiwi-kefir-night-bowl

Kiwi and Kefir Night Bowl with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

Snack

kiwi, kefir, pumpkin seeds, honey, cinnamon, greek yogurt, walnuts

Bowl of kefir with sliced kiwi and toasted pumpkin seeds

turkey-sweet-potato-cherry

Turkey, Sweet Potato and Tart Cherry Traybake

Dinner

turkey, sweet potato, cherries, olive oil, garlic, onion, rosemary, spinach

Turkey breast traybake with sweet potato and dark cherries

sardine-white-bean-smash

Sardine and White Bean Smash on Sourdough

Dinner

sardines, white beans, garlic, lemon, olive oil, sourdough, parsley, tomatoes, onion, chilli flakes

Sardine and white bean smash on toasted sourdough with lemon

garlic-prawn-spinach-stirfry

Garlic Prawn and Spinach Stir-Fry

Dinner

prawns, spinach, garlic, brown rice, lemon, olive oil, chilli flakes, spring onions

Garlic prawns with spinach in a pan with lemon

chickpea-egg-avocado-bowl

Chickpea, Egg and Avocado Lunch Bowl

Lunch

chickpeas, eggs, avocado, tomatoes, rocket, lemon, olive oil, pumpkin seeds, onion, cumin

Chickpea bowl with halved boiled eggs, avocado and rocket

spinach-feta-pumpkin-omelette

Spinach, Feta and Pumpkin Seed Omelette

Breakfast

eggs, spinach, feta, pumpkin seeds, olive oil, tomatoes

Folded spinach and feta omelette with pumpkin seeds on a plate

pumpkin-seed-oat-bites

Pumpkin Seed and Oat Bites

Snack

oats, pumpkin seeds, almond butter, dates, honey, flaxseed, dark chocolate, cinnamon

No-bake oat and pumpkin seed bites on a wooden board

kimchi-fried-rice-eggs

Kimchi Fried Rice with Eggs

Lunch

brown rice, kimchi, eggs, spinach, garlic, spring onions, sesame oil, olive oil, sesame seeds, tamari, gochujang, rice vinegar

Kimchi fried rice topped with a fried egg, sesame seeds and spring onion

kefir-berry-brazil-smoothie

Kefir Smoothie with Berries and Brazil Nuts

Breakfast

kefir, greek yogurt, blueberries, brazil nuts, flaxseed, chia seeds, cinnamon, lemon, banana

Kefir and berry smoothie in a glass with Brazil nuts and flaxseed

beef-black-bean-chilli

Beef and Black Bean Chilli

Dinner

beef mince, black beans, tomatoes, onion, red pepper, garlic, brown rice, greek yogurt, dark chocolate, olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, chilli flakes, tomato puree, stock, coriander