Follow these detailed instructions to create perfectly marinated and cooked Thai Peanut Chicken Skewers. Each step is designed to ensure maximum flavor and tenderness.

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken and Marinade

1. Cut the Chicken: Begin by preparing your chicken breasts. Pat them dry with paper towels. This helps the marinade adhere better. Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. Uniformly sized pieces will cook evenly on the skewers.
2. Combine Marinade Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together all the marinade ingredients: soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using). Ensure all ingredients are well combined to create a homogenous marinade.
3. Marinate the Chicken: Add the cubed chicken to the bowl with the marinade. Toss to coat the chicken pieces thoroughly, making sure every piece is covered in the flavorful mixture.
4. Marinate Time: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the chicken and marinade to a resealable bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or ideally for 2-4 hours. Longer marinating time allows the flavors to penetrate deeper into the chicken and tenderize it further. Do not marinate for longer than 8 hours, as the acidity of the marinade can start to break down the chicken texture too much.

Step 2: Prepare the Peanut Sauce

1. Combine Sauce Ingredients: While the chicken is marinating, prepare the peanut sauce. In a separate medium bowl, combine all the peanut sauce ingredients: creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, water, sesame oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, and sriracha (if using).
2. Whisk Until Smooth: Whisk all the ingredients together until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Start with 2 tablespoons of water and add more, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the chicken but still easily drizzle-able.
3. Taste and Adjust: Taste the peanut sauce and adjust seasonings as needed. You might want to add a pinch more salt, a squeeze more lime juice, or a touch more honey depending on your preference.

Step 3: Assemble the Skewers

1. Soak Skewers (if using wooden): If using wooden skewers, make sure they have been soaking in water for at least 30 minutes. This prevents them from burning on the grill or in the oven.
2. Thread the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the prepared skewers. Aim to place about 4-5 pieces of chicken per skewer, leaving a little space between each piece for even cooking. Don’t overcrowd the skewers.
3. Discard Marinade: Discard the remaining marinade after removing the chicken. Do not reuse marinade that has been in contact with raw chicken.

Step 4: Cook the Chicken Skewers

You can cook these Thai Peanut Chicken Skewers using several methods: grilling, baking, or pan-frying. Grilling provides a smoky flavor, baking is convenient, and pan-frying is a quick indoor option.

Grilling:

1. Preheat Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 375-450°F or 190-230°C). Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
2. Grill Skewers: Place the chicken skewers directly on the preheated grill. Grill for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has nice grill marks. Turn the skewers occasionally to ensure even cooking and prevent burning. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
3. Baste with Peanut Sauce (Optional): During the last minute or two of grilling, you can lightly brush the skewers with some of the prepared peanut sauce for extra flavor and a beautiful glaze. Be careful not to baste too early as the sugars in the sauce can burn easily.

Baking:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup. Place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet if you have one, as this allows for better air circulation and even cooking.
2. Bake Skewers: Arrange the chicken skewers on the prepared baking sheet or wire rack. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Flip the skewers halfway through baking to ensure even cooking.
3. Baste with Peanut Sauce (Optional): Similar to grilling, you can brush the skewers with peanut sauce during the last 5 minutes of baking for added flavor and glaze.

Pan-Frying (Stovetop):

1. Heat Oil in Skillet: Heat about 1 tablespoon of cooking oil (like vegetable or canola oil) in a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat.
2. Cook Skewers: Place the chicken skewers in the hot skillet, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. You may need to cook in batches. Cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and nicely browned.
3. Baste with Peanut Sauce (Optional): As with the other methods, you can brush with peanut sauce in the last minute of cooking for extra flavor.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

1. Rest Briefly: Once cooked, let the chicken skewers rest for a minute or two before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender chicken.
2. Serve with Peanut Sauce: Serve the Thai Peanut Chicken Skewers immediately, drizzled generously with the remaining peanut sauce. You can also serve extra peanut sauce on the side for dipping.
3. Garnish (Optional): Garnish with chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges for an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal. These garnishes add freshness and complement the richness of the peanut sauce.