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Thai Chicken Thighs

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๐Ÿ— Experience authentic Thai street food flavors with tender, juicy chicken marinated in aromatic lemongrass and grilled to perfection
๐ŸŒฟ Transport your taste buds to Thailand with this traditional Gai Yang recipe that delivers restaurant-quality results at home

  • Total Time: 3 hours 27 minutes (minimum)
  • Yield: 4-6 servings

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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Notes

๐ŸŒก๏ธ Monitor cooking heat carefully and flip chicken frequently to prevent burning from the sugar in the marinade
๐Ÿ• Marinate for at least 3 hours, but 24 hours provides the deepest, most authentic flavor
๐Ÿ”ฅ For oven cooking, broil on high for 15 minutes turning once, or bake at 375ยฐF for 20-25 minutes with marinade basting

  • Author: Brandi Oshea
  • 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