Slow Cooker Chicken Satay

This Slow Cooker Chicken Satay is the perfect family meal. Chunks of chicken thigh are slow cooked in a mild but tasty peanut and coconut curry sauce. This Satay Chicken is great for batch cooking and freezing. It’s a great ‘dump and go’ crock pot recipe – plus it’s naturally gluten and dairy free!

Slow Cooker Chicken Satay is always a favourite in our house, much like anything which involves peanut butter.

I love how this Chicken Satay Curry recipe has a fusion of both spice and Asian flavours. It’s full of taste without being overbearingly fiery.

Plus if you make this easy gluten and dairy free curry in the slow cooker you hardly need to spend any time in the kitchen. Just dump and go!

I always make a big batch of this curry and freeze extra portions as I find it’s a great meal to grab from the freezer and throw in the microwave on a busy evening.

Generally I’m a big fan of gluten free slow cooker recipes as they save so much time.

Especially ‘dump and go’ ones like my Slow Cooker Pulled Pork, my Slow Cooker Spanish Chicken Stew or my BBQ Slow Cooker Chicken recipes.

Serve this satay chicken curry with some basmati rice and my fluffy gluten free naan breads for a simple and tasty family dinner.

Ingredients

There’s a full printable recipe card for this slow cooker satay chicken below. But for the shopping list here’s an idea of the main ingredients and substitutions.

• Chicken Thighs: I use skinless, boneless chicken thighs. You can use chicken breast but it will dry out more easily in the slow cooker.
• Coconut Milk: A tin of either full fat or light coconut milk will work.
• Garlic and Ginger: I tend to either use chopped frozen garlic and ginger, or pastes. You can also use fresh minced garlic and ginger instead.
• Crunchy Peanut Butter: I prefer crunchy peanut butter in satay curry for texture, but you can use a smooth peanut butter if you prefer or that’s all you have.
• Mild Curry Powder: Always double check for ‘may contain’ warnings on spice mixes. Use a medium or hot curry powder if you prefer.
• Honey: This adds a slight sweetness.
• Tamari: This is my go-to gluten free soy sauce equivalent. Find it in the free from aisle, and you’ll use it over and over again.
• Frozen Peas: You could add chopped peppers, sweetcorn or spinach instead.

How to make slow cooker chicken satay

There’s a printable recipe card below with the method. But here are some step-by-step photos to show you how easy this slow cooker satay chicken curry is to make.

Add the chicken thigh fillets to the slow cooker then add the rest of the ingredients (minus the frozen peas and any toppings).

Stir everything really well so the sauce is thoroughly mixed. Place the lid on and cook on high for 3-4 hours, or low for 6-8 hours.

Around 15 minutes before serving the satay chicken, add the peas, stir well and cover again for the remaining cooking time.

To serve, top the satay curry with chopped red chilli, chopped fresh coriander and chopped peanuts and serve with some basmati rice.

Storing and Freezing

I love this slow cooker satay chicken curry because it’s so perfect for batch cooking! Make a double batch and keep the leftovers for when you need a meal in a hurry.

Any leftover satay chicken can be cooled completely then portioned into tubs and kept in the fridge for 1-2 days. Reheat thoroughly before eating.

You can also portion it into tubs or bags, label them and freeze for up to 6 months. Reheat from frozen to use in your favourite recipes when time is short!

I also like to portion it into single-servings along with cooked basmati rice and then freeze. That way I have my own, homemade ready meals ready for very hectic evenings!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some FAQs about this easy slow cooker satay chicken recipe. If you can’t find the answer to your question here or in the post above, please comment and I’ll try answer!

If you make this recipe and love it, please do let me know by tagging me on my Instagram or using #theglutenfreeblogger. You can also share your creations in my Facebook group! And please do leave a 5* review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ to let others know you loved it too! It would mean the world to me and really helps support my website.