Thai Gai Yang Chicken Recipe
This Thai Gai Yang Chicken recipe offers a flavorful and tender grilled chicken dish infused with aromatic lemongrass, garlic, and a balanced blend of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. Perfectly marinated and grilled to juicy perfection, it is garnished with fresh herbs and served with lime wedges for an authentic Thai street food experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (including minimum marinating)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp lemongrass paste
- 6 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tsp red chili flakes
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp Chinese cooking wine (sherry or sake)
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
Garnish
- Lime wedges
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- Red Fresno or Jalapeño chile, finely sliced
- Cilantro leaves
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: Whisk together lemongrass paste, garlic, lime juice, red chili flakes, fish sauce, Chinese cooking wine, sesame oil, brown sugar, honey, and white pepper until well combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a Ziploc bag and pour in the prepared marinade. Seal the bag and massage it to ensure the marinade coats all pieces evenly. Refrigerate for at least 45 minutes, preferably up to 24 hours, to allow the flavors to deeply infuse and tenderize the meat.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat, around 350°F (175°C), ensuring it’s well-oiled to prevent sticking.
- Grill the Chicken: Remove chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off, and place on the grill. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, basting occasionally with the reserved marinade to maintain moisture and enhance flavor. Adjust cooking time depending on chicken thickness to ensure fully cooked (internal temperature 165°F/74°C).
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the grilled chicken from heat and let it rest for a few minutes. This helps retain juiciness. Garnish with sesame seeds, finely sliced fresh chiles, and cilantro leaves. Serve with lime wedges on the side and steamed rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Marinating for 24 hours will result in the most tender and flavorful chicken, but a minimum of 45 minutes works if short on time.
- Grill time may vary depending on the thickness of chicken thighs; ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F for safety.
- Basting the chicken with marinade during grilling adds moisture and depth of flavor but avoid using marinade that has been in contact with raw chicken unless boiled first.
- For an indoor option, grill chicken on a grill pan over medium-high heat or broil in the oven.
Keywords: Thai chicken recipe, Gai Yang, grilled chicken, Thai barbecue, lemongrass chicken, spicy grilled chicken
Find it online: https://jedentaglecker.com/thai-gai-yang-chicken-recipe/
