Ingredients
– 2 lb (1 kg) boneless, skinless chicken thigh fillets
– 1 large lemongrass stalk (white part only), sliced 5mm thick, or 1 tablespoon tube paste as substitute
– 4 whole garlic cloves, peeled
– 2 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce
– 1 tablespoon light soy sauce (or all-purpose soy or tamari)
– 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce
– 3 tablespoons brown sugar or palm sugar (packed)
– 2 tablespoons neutral-flavored oil (vegetable, canola, etc.)
– Lime wedges
– Finely sliced red chili
– Cilantro or coriander leaves
– Jasmine or coconut rice
– Fresh cucumber and tomato slices
– Asian slaw or fresh herb salads such as Thai herb salad or Vietnamese coriander salad
Instructions
1-Getting ready for this Thai chicken thighs adventure starts with gathering your tools and ingredients think of it as setting the stage for a tasty show. First, blend the lemongrass, garlic, fish sauce, light and dark soy sauces, and sugar using a stick blender until the lemongrass is finely pulverized. If you don’t have a blender, grating the lemongrass and garlic finely and mixing by hand works just as well.
2-Next, transfer the marinade to a bowl, add the oil, and stir it all together until it’s nicely combined. Then, toss in the chicken thighs to coat them thoroughly, cover, and let them marinate for at least 3 hours overnight is even better for that deeper flavor. For more info on similar chicken dishes, check out our easy chicken spaghetti recipe for another quick idea.
3-Once marinated, preheat your grill or nonstick pan on high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard it if you’re grilling or pan-cooking; reserve it for basting if you’re baking. Place the chicken on the grill or pan, then reduce the heat to medium to avoid burning from the sugar in the mix.
4-Cook the chicken for about 5 to 6 minutes on each side until it’s golden brown with those lovely caramelized edges, flipping it a few times to keep things even. Let the chicken rest for 3 to 5 minutes before serving to lock in the juices it’s a simple step that makes a big difference. Serve it up with your favorite sauces, rice, and garnishes for a complete meal that feels like a vacation in a bite.
5-For dietary adaptations, use tofu instead of chicken and adjust cooking time accordingly. Maintain medium-high heat around 350ยฐF to achieve caramelization without burning, and remember that marinating enhances both flavor and tenderness.
Last Step:
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๐ก๏ธ Monitor cooking heat carefully and flip chicken frequently to prevent burning from the sugar in the marinade
๐ Marinate for at least 3 hours, but 24 hours provides the deepest, most authentic flavor
๐ฅ For oven cooking, broil on high for 15 minutes turning once, or bake at 375ยฐF for 20-25 minutes with marinade basting
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Marinating time: 3 hours minimum, preferably overnight
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilled
- Cuisine: Thai
- Diet: Gluten-Free (use tamari instead of soy sauce)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1-2 chicken thighs
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 596
- Fat: 11
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Fiber: 0.1
- Protein: 39
- Cholesterol: 190
