Slow Cooker Satay Chicken

Whether you’re meal prepping for the week, looking for a dinner that the kids will love, or just want a delicious, diabetes-friendly option, this slow cooker satay chicken recipe fits the bill.

A bowl with satay chicken curry, grains, and vegetables garnished with cilantro and peanuts. A slow cooker dish and ladel is in the background.

Some recipes are a game-changer, especially when they save you time, taste amazing, and even the kids enjoy them. My Slow Cooker Chicken Satay ticks all those boxes and more. Whether you’re juggling work, school, and meal prep or managing a household where healthy, diabetes-friendly meals are a must, this dish will become your new favourite.

It’s so simple yet full of flavour that even picky eaters will happily ask for seconds. Both my children love this curry sauce and think it’s super similar to the sauce you get with a chicken katsu. The fact that it’s a healthier, homemade alternative makes it even better.

This slow cooker chicken satay curry recipe (just like my Slow Cooker Indian Chicken Curry ) uses minimal ingredients and just a bit of prep time before the slow cooker takes over, making it perfect for a busy family life. Plus, the leftovers are ideal for meal prep.

A closeup of a bowl with slow cooked satay chicken, grains, and vegetables garnished with cilantro and peanuts.

Why Slow Cooker Satay Chicken is a Must-Try for Busy Families

If you’re like me, time-saving recipes are essential. Between managing diabetes, cooking for the family, and trying to keep things healthy, the slow cooker has become one of my go-to kitchen tools. I love how I can throw everything into the slow cooker in the morning and have dinner ready with little effort by the evening.

If you’re wondering what slow cooker to use, I can’t recommend the Sizzle and Stew Crockpot enough. This is the slow cooker I use for all of my recipes, and it has quickly become a reliable part of my kitchen routine. The large capacity and consistent heating make it a great choice for busy families, and its versatility is perfect for meal prepping. I’ve linked my full review of the product below, where you can see why it’s worth adding one to your kitchen.

a sizzle &stew 6.5l crockpot with the box in the background

Crokpot Sizzle and Stew Review

A Practical, Time-Saving Solution for Busy Kitchens

A Diabetes-Friendly, Balanced Meal

This Satay Chicken recipe is an excellent example of how you can create a wholesome, balanced meal with little hands-on time. The rich, savoury peanut sauce combined with tender chicken is so flavourful. It’s not just about saving time, though—it’s about making a meal that fits into a diabetes-friendly diet and appeals to everyone at the table.

For those of us who need to keep an eye on carb counts and blood sugar management, this recipe hits all the right notes. The ingredients are simple and clean, with nothing artificial or overly processed. Peanut butter provides healthy fats, which are key for slowing the digestion of carbohydrates, helping to maintain steady blood sugar levels after eating.

A closeup of a bowl with sloww coooked satay chicken, grains, and vegetables garnished with cilantro and peanuts.

Soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and medium curry powder combine to create a flavour base that’s bold but not overpowering. You can easily control the salt content by using low-sodium soy sauce, and the natural sweetness of the peanut butter adds richness without the need for added sugars.

Edamame beans are another fantastic addition. They’re packed with protein and fibre, making them an excellent choice for people managing their blood sugar. I prefer to add them an hour before serving so they retain their texture. Alternatively, if you’re pressed for time, you can heat them in the microwave and stir them in just before serving. This flexibility is a lifesaver when you’re trying to keep meal prep quick and easy.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Satay

satay chicken curry ingredients laid out on a white background

Chicken breasts, boneless and skinless

  • A lean source of protein and are low in fat

Soy sauce

  • Use low sodium if preferred or Tamari for gluten free diets
  • Adds umami flavour
  • less sodium, makes it a better option for heart and blood pressure health.

Rice wine vinegar

  • A tangy, low-calorie ingredient that aids in digestion

Garlic and ginger

  • I cheat and use a convenient paste for both these ingredients

Peanut butter (smooth or crunchy, your choice)

  • Rich in healthy fats and protein, it helps keep you fuller for longer

Medium curry powder

  • Contains a wonderful mix of spices to add that depth of flavour

White onion

  • Packed with antioxidants and just wonderful in curries

Bamboo shoots

  • High in fibre, low in calories, and a great source of vitamins and minerals like potassium.

Edamame beans

A protein- and fibre-rich plant-based food that helps with blood sugar control and provides essential amino acids.

Step-by-Step Instructions

sliced onions in the crockpot bowl with a green silicone spoon

To start, add a little sesame oil to the sizzle and stew crockpot bowl or a frying pan and gently fry the sliced onions for a couple of minutes

lightly sauteed chicken and onion strips in the sizzle and stew crockpot bowl

Once the onions are golden brown add the strips of chicken breast. Stir occasionally to brown the meat.

chopped onion, chicken strip, bamboos shoots, peanut butter, curry powder, minced garlic & ginger all in a crockpot bowl

Add the onions and chicken to the slow cooker bowl if you haven’t already browned them in it. Then mix the soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, garlic, ginger, peanut butter, curry powder, drained bamboo shoots and chicken stock until the peanut butter sauce is smooth and coating all the ingredients.

Set your slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 hours. The chicken will become incredibly tender, soaking up all the peanutty, savoury flavours of the sauce.

Satay curry chicken in the crockpot with the unmixed frozen edamame on top

About an hour before serving, stir in the edamame beans so they can soften in the sauce. If you forget or need to save time, you can microwave the beans and stir them in just before serving.

slow cooked satay chicken in the crockpot bowl with bamboo shoots and edamame

Serve the stay chicken curry with some wholegrain rice for a more filling meal, or see below for some lower-carb options.

A sprinkle of fresh coriander, lime juice and chopped peanuts adds a nice finishing touch.

Serving suggestions

This chicken satay curry is delicious served with some high-fibre brown rice or my favourite Glorious Grains by Merchant Gourmet but I would also recommend adding some extra veg on the side to help get that 5-A DAY in. Here are soem ideas for you:

Stir-Fried Mixed Vegetables – grab a bag of pre-cut stir-fried veggies, quickly sauté them, and serve alongside for a balanced, nutrient-rich side.

Cauliflower Rice – This low-carb alternative to traditional rice is great for those managing their carb intake. It pairs well with the rich sauce from the satay chicken and adds a lighter base to the dish.

Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles) – A fun, low-carb substitute for noodles, these spiralized zucchini noodles soak up the satay sauce beautifully while keeping the meal light and veggie-rich.

Roasted Veggie Medley – A mix of roasted carrots, peppers, and broccoli from your weekly meal prep can add vibrant colour and texture to the dish, making it more nutritious.

Carb-Counting Quinoa – For a higher protein grain option, serve the satay chicken with a side of quinoa. It’s a nutritious, fibre-rich base that’s also ideal for blood sugar control.

A bowl with satay chicken curry, grains, and vegetables garnished with cilantro and peanuts. A slow cooker dish and bag of merchant gourmet glorious grains in the background.

Meal Prep and Leftovers for Satay Chicken

One of the best things about this recipe is how well it works for meal prep. The flavours actually develop even more when stored overnight, so don’t be afraid to make a large batch and portion it out for the week ahead.

For meal prep:

  • After cooking, divide the chicken and vegetables into meal prep containers. Add rice or extra stir-fried veggies to each container depending on your preference.
  • When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat in the microwave, and your healthy, flavorful meal is ready to go.

This dish stays fresh for up to 4 days in the fridge, so it’s perfect for batch cooking on the weekend.

Freezing Instructions:

  1. Allow the satay chicken to cool completely to room temperature before freezing to prevent excess moisture buildup and freezer burn.
  2. Divide the chicken and sauce into individual portion sizes. This makes reheating easier and helps with meal planning. Use freezer-safe airtight containers or resealable freezer bags.
  3. Satay chicken can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Reheating Instructions:

  1. Thaw in the Fridge -Move the frozen chicken to the fridge the night before to thaw slowly.
  2. Reheat– Once thawed, reheat in the microwave, on the hob, or back in the slow cooker on low until heated through. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.

Diabetes Note

This Slow Cooker Satay Chicken recipe is a great option for managing diabetes, especially for those with type 1. Most of the ingredients, like chicken, edamame, and vegetables, are naturally carb-free or very low in carbs, making it easier to manage blood sugar levels. With careful portion control of optional sides like rice, this meal fits well into a carb-counting plan, helping to prevent spikes in blood glucose.

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slow cooker satay chicken

slow cooker satay chicken

Recipe by Michelle

A time-saving, diabetes-friendly slow cooker satay chicken recipe that’s flavorful, easy to prep, and kid-approved!

Course: MainCuisine: AsianDifficulty: Easy
5.0 from 3 votes
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

4

hours 
Total time

4

hours 

15

minutes
Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp 1 tbsp sesame oil

  • 1 large 1 large white onion, halved and sliced

  • 4 large 4 large chicken breasts, cut into strips

  • 3 tbsp 3 tbsp soy sauce

  • 1 tbsp 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar

  • 1 tsp 1 tsp minced garlic

  • 1 tsp 1 tsp minced ginger

  • 100 g 2/5 cup peanut butter (crunchy or smooth)

  • 2 tbsp 2 tbsp medium curry powder

  • 1 tin 1 tin bamboo shoots, drained

  • 200 ml 6 6/7 fl oz chicken stock

  • 300 g 2 cup frozen shelled edamame beans

Directions

  • Add the sesame oil to the sizzle and stew crockpot bowl or a frying pan and gently fry the sliced onions for a couple of minutes
  • Once the onions are golden brown add the strips of chicken breast. Stir occasionally to brown the meat.
  • Add the onions and chicken to the slow cooker bowl if you haven’t already browned them in it. Then mix the soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, garlic, ginger, peanut butter, curry powder, drained bamboo shoots and chicken stock until the peanut butter sauce is smooth and coating all the ingredients.
  • Set your slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 hours. The chicken will become incredibly tender, soaking up all the peanutty, savoury flavours of the sauce.
  • About an hour before serving, stir in the edamame beans so they can soften in the sauce. If you forget or need to save time, you can microwave the beans and stir them in just before serving.
  • Serve with a sprinkle of fresh coriander, lime juice and chopped peanuts for the ultimate finishing touch.

Equipment

Tips and Notes

  • Adjust the amount of curry powder or add chilli flakes to make it as mild or spicy as you like.
  • This recipe freezes well! Store in portion-sized containers for a quick meal on busy days.
  • Diabetes Note – Most of the ingredients, like chicken, edamame, and vegetables, are naturally carb-free or very low in carbs, making it easier to manage blood sugar levels. This is a carb count free recipe for a person living with type 1 diabetes.
Michelle Rorke avatar

AUTHOR

3 responses to “Slow Cooker Satay Chicken”

  1. Musabbir Hossen Khalid avatar

    This slow cooker satay chicken recipe is fantastic! The detailed instructions and vibrant flavors make it easy to prepare a delicious meal. I appreciate the effort put into sharing such a wonderful dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Thank you for this delightful recipe!

    1. Michelle Rorke avatar

      Thank you Musabbir for your lovely comment. I hope you enjoy the recipe. Michelle

  2. Musabbir Hossen Khalid avatar

    This slow cooker satay chicken recipe sounds absolutely delicious! I love the idea of using a slow cooker to infuse all the flavors over time, and the combination of peanut sauce with tender chicken is always a winner. I can’t wait to try it for a family dinner – it looks like a perfect balance of convenience and flavor. Thanks for sharing this mouthwatering recipe!

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I’m on a mission to prove how tasty managing diabetes can be with plenty of healthy eating tips and delicious recipes. Enjoy effortless, flavorful meals that support your health.

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