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Thai Grilled Chicken (Gai Yang) Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 123 reviews

Thai Grilled Chicken, or Gai Yang, is a flavorful and aromatic dish featuring marinated chicken infused with garlic, fish sauce, lime, and sugar, then grilled to perfection for a smoky and juicy result. This easy-to-make recipe highlights the balance of savory, tangy, and sweet flavors characteristic of Thai cuisine.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 2 pounds whole chicken, cut into halves or quarters

Marinade

  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon sugar (preferably palm sugar)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine minced garlic, fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely to create a balanced marinade that is savory, tangy, and slightly sweet.
  2. Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken pieces into a large resealable bag or container. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Seal and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to infuse the flavors deeply into the meat.
  3. Preheat the Grill: Heat a charcoal or gas grill to medium-high heat, around 375°F to 400°F (190°C to 205°C). If using a charcoal grill, ensure coals are white-hot for even cooking and smoke flavor.
  4. Grill the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Grill the chicken pieces skin-side down first for about 6-8 minutes per side, turning occasionally, until the skin is crispy and charred in spots and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  5. Rest and Serve: Transfer the grilled chicken to a plate and let it rest for 5 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute, resulting in moist and flavorful chicken. Serve with sticky rice, fresh vegetables, or a dipping sauce as desired.

Notes

  • For added smoky flavor, use charcoal grilling and add wood chips if desired.
  • Adjust the amount of sugar based on your preferred level of sweetness.
  • If you don’t have fish sauce, substitute with soy sauce for a milder taste, keeping in mind the flavor difference.
  • Ensure the chicken is cooked through to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  • Marinating overnight yields the best flavor, but at least 2 hours is sufficient.

Keywords: Thai grilled chicken, gai yang, grilled chicken recipe, Thai marinade, fish sauce chicken, lime chicken, garlic chicken

Find it online: https://cookedbycleo.com/thai-grilled-chicken-gai-yang-recipe/