Here’s a fabulous way to cook chicken legs in the oven – turn them into satay drumsticks with a peanut dipping sauce for dunking! Drumsticks are such good value, I don’t know why we don’t use them more often.
Cost estimate: $2.05 per serving, using current prices at Woolworths (Australian grocery store).
Satay Chicken Legs with Peanut Sauce
I feel like chicken legs is a cut that is often overlooked, and I don’t know why. You get the juicy meat of thighs, the fun of drumsticks, and they’re good value.
So here’s a recipe to try to get you excited about using drumsticks! I’m giving them a satay makeover – marinated in Thai flavours, roasted until golden, then served with a creamy peanut dipping sauce that you can dunk the entire drumstick into.
Big flavour, little spend!
Ingredients in Satay Chicken Legs with Peanut Sauce
This has the same ingredients as Thai Chicken Satay Skewers, but the cooking method and quantities for the marinade and sauce have been adapted to suit chicken legs. Also, I intentionally made the sauce thinner so it’s suitable for dunking the entire drumstick in!
1. Chicken and satay marinade
Marinating is optional. You will still get plenty of tasty flavour in the chicken even without marinating time.
Drumsticks – You’ll need 10 large drumsticks, totally around 1.5kg / 3lb. If yours are smaller, use more, or larger, use less. Just make sure they will all fit on the tray with a little space between them.
Small can coconut milk – Here in Australia, some brands of coconut milk come in a handy small 270ml/90oz can which turns out to be just the right amount to make the satay marinade for the chicken plus a good amount of sauce (enough for chicken dunking and rice dousing). If you can only get standard 400ml/14oz cans, that’s totally fine, just measure out what you need. You’ll have 1/2 cup left over – use it to make the peanut sauce for Gado Gado!
Thai red curry paste – The secret ingredient in Thai satay, for both the marinade and peanut sauce! Maesri is my preferred brand (photo here). Authentic flavour, cheap and even carried at regular shops here in Australia (Coles, Woolies, Harris Farms). But any will do here as we only use a little. Tip: If using Maesri cans which can’t be resealed, freeze leftovers flattened in a ziplock bag so you can easily break off what you need.
Curry powder – This is a key ingredient for a proper satay flavour. Just use regular curry powder form grocery stores, like Clives or India or Keens. Mild, not hot (unless you want it spicy!).
Oil – This is loosen the marinade a bit and also to help it brown, avoiding the need to spray the chicken with oil before baking. Use liquid coconut oil if you have it, else any plain flavoured oil.
Salt and white sugar – For seasoning.
2. peanut sauce
And here’s what you need for the peanut sauce. As mentioned above, it’s the same ingredients as the peanut sauce for everybody’s favourite Thai Chicken Skewers, except thinner so it’s more suitable for dunking.
Coconut milk – The rest of the 270ml / 9oz can, else measure out 3/4 cup.
Natural peanut butter – The type with no added oil or sugar. Best for stronger peanut flavour and a thinner sauce for dipping. Peanut butter spreads like Bega or Skippy also work, but the sauce will be thicker and milder.
Thai red curry paste – See notes in the marinade ingredients section above. We only need 1 tablespoon for the peanut sauce. Don’t skip it! It’s a key flavouring.
Milk – This is what I use to thin the sauce. Chicken stock can also be used. Water can be a fall-back, though I’d start with 1/2 cup (concerned about flavour dilution).
Apple cider vinegar – This is for a touch of tang, to balance out the richness. It doesn’t make it sour (we only use 1 tablespoon).
Dark soy sauce – Just 1 teaspoon gives the sauce the right satay-brown colour. It doesn’t add flavour though, so substitute light/all-purpose soy sauce or 1/4 teaspoon extra salt, though expect the sauce to be paler in colour.
Salt – To season the sauce.
How to make Satay Chicken Legs with Peanut Sauce
No skewering, no chopping – just some quick slashes to get that tasty satay paste right into the flesh!
Slash – Make 3 slashes into the flesh of each drumstick. Do this on the meaty side, not the side that the bone runs closer to. Make the slashes about 5 mm / 1/5″ deep, in the position pictured in the photo above, taking care not to cut all the way through to the bone (that’s a bit deep and will open up too much).
This will help the satay marinade flavour penetrate into the flesh. It’s especially important not to skip it if you don’t have time to marinate.
Satay marinade – Mix the ingredients together using a rubber spatula in a bowl large enough to toss the drumsticks.
Toss the drumsticks in the marinade using the rubber spatula until they are all coated. Rub the marinade into the slashes to get the flavour right into the meat!
Marinate (if you can) – Leave the legs to marinade for 3 hours to overnight if you can. 3 hours is enough to get the flavour infusing into the flesh.
But even if you don’t marinate, this is still worth making (I don’t always say that about recipes!) because of the slashes, the flavour in the marinade is quite strong and, of course, because you will be dunking the drumsticks into the tasty peanut sauce.
Bake on a rack set on a tray for 35 minutes, then flick to the grill/broiler on high for a few minutes to get some nice charry bits on the chicken. Don’t turn (this is why we use the rack), leaving it undisturbed allows the surface to colour better.
Peanut sauce – Make the sauce while the legs are baking. Just put everything in a medium saucepan, whisk to combine, then let it simmer on medium low for 5 minutes. Don’t let it bubble wildly, it should just simmer. Whisk regularly so the base doesn’t catch. The sauce should be on the runny side, like maple syrup consistency. Not so thick that you feel like you’re dunking the leg into a tub of peanut butter. It should be thin enough so it drips off, but thick enough that it clings generously.
Serve – Pile the legs onto a platter with the sauce on the side. Use a vessel deep enough that you can dunk the whole drumstick in. Sprinkle everything with peanuts, coriander and chilli, if you want a splash of colour. Then dig in!
Matters of serving
Serve these drumsticks with steamed jasmine rice on the side – there’s plenty of peanut sauce to drizzle over.
And I’ve just added plain tomato and cucumber chunks to get greens into this meal. No dressing, nothing. Very typical of how many dishes are served in Thailand – simple and fresh, to balance out strong flavoured mains. Though if you want something more substantial, Asian Slaw or Smashed Cucumbers are two that I always reach for. Else any leafy greens or steamed broccoli with Asian Sesame Dressing (literally takes 90 seconds to make this, and very handy to keep in the fridge as it lasts for weeks and weeks).
And there you go. Dinner sorted! – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
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Satay Chicken Legs with Peanut Sauce
Ingredients
- 1.5 kg / 3lb chicken legs / drumsticks (10 pieces)
SATAY MARINADE:
- 1/3 cup coconut milk , full fat (I use a 270ml/9oz small can, the rest goes in the sauce)
- 1 1/2 tbsp curry powder (eg Clives, Keens, Note 1)
- 1 tbsp Thai red curry paste (I recommend Maesri brand but any will do, Note 2)
- 1 tbsp liquid coconut oil or any plain oil (vegetable, canola, peanut)
- 1 tsp white sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
PEANUT SAUCE:
- 3/4 cup coconut milk , full fat (the rest of the 270ml/9oz can)
- 3/4 cup milk , full fat
- 1/4 cup natural peanut butter , it’s runny, not the spread kind like Bega, Skippy etc (Note 3)
- 2 tbsp white sugar
- 1 tbsp Thai red curry paste (Note 2)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar , or regular white vinegar
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce (Note 4)
- 1/2 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
For serving
- Jasmine rice
- Coriander / cilantro leaves, red chilli finely chopped, finely chopped peanuts (all optional)
Instructions
ABBREVIATED RECIPE:
- Slash legs, coat with marinade. Marinate 3 hrs – overnight. Bake 35 min at 200°C/390°F (180° fan) on rack, then grill/broil 3 – 5 min to char. Simmer Peanut Sauce ingredients 5 min, serve with legs!
FULL RECIPE:
- Slash – Make 3 slashes into the flesh of the meatier side of the drumsticks taking care not to slash all the way through to the bone,
- Satay Marinade – Mix the Satay Marinade ingredients in a large bowl using a rubber spatula. Add drumsticks, toss to coat, then use your hands to rub the marinade into the slashes.
- Marinate (if you can) for 3 hours to overnight. It's ok if you don't – see Note 5.
- Preheat oven to 200°C/390°F (180° fan-forced).
- Arrange legs – Line a tray with foil and place a rack on the tray. Arrange legs on the rack. Scrape up any residual marinade in the bowl and dab onto the legs.
- Bake for 35 minutes. Flick the oven grill / broiler on high and grill for 3 to 5 minutes with the chicken 20cm/8" from the heat source, to get some nice charry bits. Remove from the oven.
- Peanut sauce – While the chicken is baking, put all the sauce ingredients in a medium saucepan and whisk to combine. Simmer for 5 minutes on medium-low, whisking every now and then to stop the base from catching, It should be fairly runny but thick enough to coat the chicken generously (Note 6). Keep warm until required.
- Serve – Pile chicken on a large plate. Sprinkle with peanuts, chilli and coriander if using. Place sauce in a deep sauce bowl on the side, deep enough to dunk the entire head of the leg in! Serve with jasmine rice on the side (plenty of sauce for dousing) and plain chunks of tomato and cucumber (classic Thai side).
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
More chicken drumstick recipes
I’ve always had a soft spot for drumsticks! Here are some of my favourite recipes – or have a browse through the Chicken Drumstick recipe collection.
Life of Jaffle
Look at my little shoot assistant, gazing up at me adoringly! (Or more likely, he’s worked out I’m the shortest route to the chicken).
I have the same question as Judith! Nagi and JB, my family adore ALL of your recipes (I’ve made so many from your site over the years!) but I always must substitute the onions and garlic. Sad, I know, but my gut is extremely intolerant; alliums make me very ill. That said, I enjoy every other flavor so much more! We love curries and wish there were allium-free preparations available!
Soooo grateful for your site, Nagi! I look forward to every new offering. Many thanks to you and your team! And to the Great Dozer and Charming Jaffle! ♥️♥️
Love curry but can’t eat onions or garlic, which are both in all the curry paste I’ve seen. Any suggestions? I would love to make this recipe!
Your little shoot assistant is not so little anymore!
I have a peanut allergy – will this still taste good without the sauce? (Or any ideas for a peanut free sauce?( 😀
Use sunflower butter if you have a peanut allergy! Try to get unsweetened/natural. If sweetened don’t add sweetener until you taste test!
Cashew butter is really good in satays
OMG! I can’t believe how quickly Jaffle has grown.
My family loves satay chicken and when I found your recipe Nagi, my family told me keep making and using this recipe. Your satay sauce’s are amazing.
Thanks so much for sharing
Nagi, your recipe is so enticing, and I’m just wondering, what is your suggestion when making this for the first time, I have never tasted satay chicken legs with peanut dipping sauce and I am widowed and live alone. I don’t fancy eating the same thing four days in a row yet I would love to try it. Thank you.😊
Hi Nancy! You can halve the recipe – any less and it gets tricky with the sauce as if you make a small quantity, it will burn too easily. You can then cook half the legs for just one serving for yourself, and freeze the others in the marinade, uncooked. The sauce will freeze perfectly cooked. Then when you feel like this again, thaw the legs and sauce, cook legs per recipe! – N x
The Thai Red Curry lentil soup was bangin’ good. I substituted some ground pork for the pumpkin and added some fresh diced jalapenos…so good! I used the leftovers over a bed of white rice and just as good 3 days later. Can’t wait to try the chicken satay now.
Love the ground pork addition, Les!! So glad you enjoyed the lentil soup – hope the satay chicken is another winner! – N x
Looks absolutely delicious. Definitely going on this week’s menu, but me thinks will cook on the bbq. And thanks for the link to the Asian sesame dressing. Looks like another winner.
BBQ will be terrific for this, Elspeth – extra smoky char is never a bad thing! Just be sure to cook on low so it cooks through without burning the outside 🙂 And yes, that sesame dressing is such a handy one. – N x
Has anyone tried this with firm tofu? I’m thinking it would work as long as I also cut into the a tofu pieces a little. Let me know if anyone has 🙂
I haven’t tried this exact recipe with tofu, but I think firm tofu would be delicious with the marinade and peanut sauce! I’d cut it into chunky pieces so it’s easier to handle. – N x
Little shoot assistant? Little?? Nagi, hello…!
HA! Fair point. 😂 He is rapidly outgrowing the “little” part of that job description!! – N x
I can’t believe how quickly Jaffle has grown. And you look so happy again. I am so glad for you .
He is growing at an alarming rate!! 😂 And thank you, that means a lot. – N x
All I can say is Yum, yum, and yum! A must try and looks easy too! That Jaffle gets cuter every day!
Yum yum yum is exactly what I was going for, Janet!! 😂 And Jaffle certainly knows how to work the camera! – N x
Perfect recipe for a Monday night – looks so yum 🙂
Yes!! Easy, tasty Monday night dinner – exactly what I was aiming for! Hope you try it Leanne 🙂 – N x
I loved the lentil soup but I do enjoy more spice than some.
These look great, can’t wait to try them!
So glad you enjoyed the lentil soup, Mel! And you can definitely dial up the spice on this one too 😈 – N x
PSA: drumsticks are $7.99 for 2kg at Aldi. Looking forward to trying this one. Thanks Nagi x
Now THAT is a useful PSA!! 😂 Thanks Louise – perfect timing for this recipe! – N x
Nagi can I use chicken thighs? Those are my favorite pieces lol
Yes! Cook for 20 minutes per recipe temp then finish under the grill/broiler like the recipe says, for some colour 🙂 – N x
Can’t wait to make this! Just wondering could you cook these on the BBQ instead of in the oven?
You could Suzie, just go on medium low heat and rotate so it cooks through without burning the outside 🙂 – N x
Nagi – chicken drumsticks have always been my favourite part of the bird . . . make a pile whichever way, and whenever you feel hungry, open the fridge door and walk around the house nibbling! :)! Yours are luvverly and fast to make and interesting using both Indian and Thai ingredients tho’ I have a habit of beginning with the base spices and making my own mixes! When you have had a lifetime of curry-mad husbands they are ‘fussy’!!! Hate to think the size your baby is going to be and isn’t he getting good at posing 🙂 ! Methinks Dozer appears in his dreams to give lessons!
Ha! I love the image of you wandering around the house nibbling on a drumstick, Eha 😂 And yes, I suspect Jaffle is going to be ENORMOUS! – N x
Looks like Jaffle only has eyes for you ! – this would be a great recipe for the type of air fryer I have – cooking lamb rack in it tonight I rarely turn my oven on. ….actually it’s clean from moving in 2 years prior the appliance I use is just so good .😅😉
Two years and the oven is still clean!! 😂 I am seriously impressed, Tiff. And yes, I think these would be terrific in the air fryer! – N x
Hi Nagi!! Jaffle is getting so big!! Can this be made with boneless chicken thighs?
Absolutely Chelcy! Boneless thighs will be terrific – they’ll just cook much faster than the drumsticks. Do 20 minutes in the oven then finish under the gill/broiler per the recipe. And YES, Jaffle is growing like a weed!! – N x