A classic Thai street food, this Thai grilled chicken is delicious and mostly vegetarian. true story.
For inspiration, try this Thai Chicken with Coconut Rice or Coconut Lime Rice, Thai Salad Wrap for an appetizer, Thai Red Curry or Green Curry.
Traditional Thai Chicken
This chicken marinade is insane. It really is. It tastes good, and I honestly think I’ll regret it if I don’t double the amount. Because you promise to eat more than your fair share.
I call this “real” Thai rotisserie chicken. As with traditional dishes from all countries and regions of the world, there is no “one” recipe. Countless variations, from family recipes handed down through generations to modern high-end interpretations by top chefs around the world, such as fried rice, chili con carne, paella, bolognese and beef his bourguignon. .
But… there is a line. A fine line between recipes that are true to their roots and those that are completely westernized. There is nothing wrong with westernizing something. In fact, some of the most popular (and delicious!) Asian dishes in the West don’t even exist in Asia, like Singapore noodles.
This Thai-style grilled chicken is a classic example of keeping the traditional flavors alive. Even across Thailand, there are so many variations of gai yang. Varies by region, from restaurants to street vendors to home versions
In addition to lemongrass and fish sauce, this chicken marinade is packed with other classic Thai ingredients: garlic, a hint of sweetness and a nice dash of chili pepper. Served with dips. I like to make it with chicken thighs because it’s a juicy cut. And thickly glazed, juicy chicken doesn’t need a dip. So I add the flavor of the sauce to the marinade instead.
All over Thailand you’ll find a variety of chicken and gai yang, a whole chicken and butterfly (my favourite, but you can’t swallow your own throat whole!!). You can use your favorite chicken, but adjust the cooking time accordingly. It is traditionally cooked over hot coals, giving it a nice smoky flavor. But whether you cook it on the grill or on the stovetop, this is the best Thai grill you’ve ever had. I promise to become a chicken. It is no exaggeration to say that this almost turned a vegetarian into a carnivore.
