Satay Chicken Stir Fry

This Satay Chicken Stir Fry, served over golden sautéed cabbage and drizzled with our creamy Low-Carb Peanut Sauce, is a meal that's both satiating and delicious. This recipe, as well as all our other recipes, is great for anyone with insulin resistance, prediabetes, or diabetes.

Photo of Satay Chicken Stir Fry served over golden sauteed cabbage strips and drizzled with low-carb peanut sauce.

Why Satay Chicken Stir Fry Is Good for Insulin Resistance

This recipe is designed to support steady blood sugar and insulin levels by pairing high‑quality protein with fiber‑rich vegetables and healthy fats. Using cabbage instead of grains (like rice or wheat noodles) helps lower the overall carbohydrate load, while chicken thighs provide protein and fat that promote satiety and slower digestion.

Topping the whole thing with low‑carb peanut sauce adds a big flavor punch without added sugars. Fiber, protein, and steady blood sugar levels help reduce insulin resistance.

Key Ingredients and Why They Matter

Photo of ingredients for Satay Chicken Stir Fry, including strips of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, sliced cabbage, sliced onion,low carb peanut sauce, curry powder, avocado oil, salt, pepper, and cilantro (optional).

Cabbage – a low-carb vegetable rich in fiber and antioxidants. When stir‑fried, it becomes lightly caramelized and sweet while still supporting digestion and metabolic health.
Yellow Onion for natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
Chicken Thighs – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs provide high‑quality protein along with a bit more fat than chicken breast, which can help support fullness and blood sugar stability. Use chicken breast if you prefer less fat.
Curry Powder provides warm, savory flavor and often contains spices such as turmeric, which are known to help reduce inflammation.
Avocado Oil – a neutral, high‑heat oil rich in monounsaturated fats, making it ideal for stir‑frying.
We use our Low‑Carb Peanut Sauce, which replaces traditional sugar‑sweetened satay sauces.

Ingredient Swaps and Substitutions

Chicken thighs may be swapped for chicken breast if preferred, though thighs will be more tender and juicy.
Napa cabbage can replace regular green cabbage.
If you don't have curry powder, you can make a homemade blend of ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, ginger, and pepper.
Avocado oil can be replaced with exra light or refined olive oil. It has a high smoke point (at ~465°F) and is still rich in monounsaturated fats, which are good for heart health.

Why Cabbage Works Well As a Base For Stir Fries

Cabbage is a complex carb and a nutrient‑dense base for this dish. The tender strips absorb flavor while keeping the meal light and balanced. Unlike rice or wheat noodles (which are higher in carbs), cabbage provides fiber and volume, making it an excellent base for blood sugar‑friendly stir‑fries.

Close up photo of sliced cabbage, which replaces rice or traditional wheat noodles and serves as a base for Satay Chicken Stir fry.

Using cabbage instead of rice or noodles helps keep the protein-to-carb ratio balanced. Be sure to read our guide on Making Smart Carb Choices for Insulin Resistance and our article on a good Protein To Carb Ratio For Insulin Resistance.

How to Make Satay Chicken Stir Fry

This recipe comes together in two simple stages: first, cooking the cabbage and onion base, then cooking the spiced chicken, and assembling everything with the Low-Carb Peanut Sauce. We prefer using a cast-iron skillet (affiliate link) for this recipe as it retains heat and is great for caramelizing the cabbage, onions, and chicken.

Photo showing the cabbage strips cooking in the skillet separately from the chicken.

Photo showing the chicken thigh strips cooking in the skillet separate from the cabbage. The photo also shows the peanut sauce that has been added to coat the chicken in the skillet.

Serving Suggestions

This dish is a balanced meal all on its own. You can add brightness and freshness with a garnish of fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice.

Close-up photo of Satay Chicken Stir Fry served over golden sauteed cabbage strips and drizzled with low-carb peanut sauce.

Nutrition Highlights for Satay Chicken Stir Fry

Good protein to carb ratio.
Rich in fiber from cabbage and onions.
Lower in carbohydrates than traditional stir‑fry dishes.
Includes healthy fats to support steady energy and blood sugar balance.
No added sugars that can spike glucose levels and cause unnecessary inflammation.

Common Questions

Is this recipe good for insulin resistance?

Yes. This recipe focuses on protein, fiber, and healthy fats while minimizing refined carbohydrates, which can help support more stable blood sugar and insulin levels.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes. Be sure to store the cabbage, chicken, and sauce in separate containers. Reserve the sauce to add once the chicken and cabbage are heated through.

What is the best way to reheat Satay Chicken Stir Fry

Place a single serving of the cabbage and chicken on a microwave-safe plate. Heat in one-minute bursts until heated through. Heat the peanut sauce separately in the microwave, and drizzle it over the heated chicken and cabbage. (Water may need to be added to the peanut sauce to thin it out).

Recipe

This Satay Chicken Stir Fry, served over golden sautéed cabbage and drizzled with our creamy Low-Carb Peanut Sauce, is a balanced, blood sugar-friendly meal that's both satiating and delicious.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: asian

Keyword: boneless skinless chicken thighs, gluten-free, high-protein

Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 12

Servings:

Calories: 233kcal

Equipment

1 Cast Iron Skillet optional

Ingredients

For the Cabbage Base

½ head cabbage sliced into ½ inch strips
½ yellow onion sliced thin
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
black pepper to taste

For the Chicken

1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, sliced into thin strips
1 tablespoon avocado oil
½ tablespoon curry powder
1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
Black pepper to taste

For Serving

Low Carb Peanut Sauce see notes for link to recipe
cilantro fresh; optional garnish
lime juice fresh; optional

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Cook the Cabbage and Onion Base

Heat 1 tablespoon avocado oil in a large skillet over medium‑high heat.
1 tablespoon avocado oil
Add the sliced onion and sauté for 3 minutes until softened.
½ yellow onion
Add the cabbage and toss to coat in oil. Cook undisturbed for 2 minutes.
½ head cabbage
Toss again and cook 1 additional minute until lightly golden.
Season with salt and pepper and remove to a plate.
1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt, black pepper

Cook the Chicken

Add the remaining tablespoon of avocado oil to the skillet.
1 tablespoon avocado oil
Add the chicken in an even layer (cooking in batches with the spices if needed).
1 lb boneless
Season with curry powder, salt, and pepper and toss to coat.
½ tablespoon curry powder, 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt, black pepper
Sauté the chicken, moving it around the skillet every few minutes to avoid burning. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes or until chicken is golden and cooked through.
Stir in 1 tablespoon Low‑Carb Peanut Sauce, toss to coat, and remove from heat.
Low Carb Peanut Sauce

Assemble and Serve

Place a layer of the cooked cabbage on a serving plate and top with the satay chicken. Drizzle up to a tablespoon of the peanut sauce over each serving. Garnish with cilantro and a squeeze of lime if desired.

Notes

In this recipe, we use our own, home-made Low Carb Peanut Sauce. You may choose to add extra water to the sauce to achieve a more runny consistency, which works better for this recipe. We used a total of 5 tablespoons of water instead of the 2 that the recipe calls for.

Nutrition

If you make this recipe, we’d love for you to leave a rating and share a comment below. Your feedback helps our community and supports others looking nourishing recipes that help improve insulin resistance.