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Authentic Thai grilled chicken with herbs and spices

Authentic Thai Grilled Chicken (Gai Yang)

Experience the authentic flavors of Thailand with this traditional Gai Yang recipe, featuring succulent grilled chicken marinated in a rich, aromatic blend of herbs and spices. Perfect for a flavorful meal any day of the week.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Mortar and pestle or food processor
  • Medium bowl
  • Grill
  • Paper towels

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken

  • 4-6 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on

For the Marinade

  • 4-5 cloves garlic
  • 2-3 cilantro roots or 1/4 cup chopped cilantro stems
  • 1 tablespoon white peppercorns freshly ground if possible
  • 1/4 cup fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon palm sugar or brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 inch fresh ginger, grated optional

Instructions
 

Prepare the Marinade Paste

  • Combine garlic, cilantro roots or stems, and white peppercorns in a mortar and pestle or food processor. Pound or pulse until a fine, aromatic paste forms.

Mix the Marinade

  • Transfer the paste to a bowl, then add fish sauce, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, palm sugar, sesame oil, turmeric powder, and grated ginger. Whisk until the sugar dissolves and the marinade is smooth.

Marinate the Chicken

  • Pat the chicken thighs dry and add them to the marinade, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight up to 24 hours.

Preheat the Grill

  • When ready to cook, preheat your grill to medium-high heat (375-400°F or 190-200°C). Ensure the grill grates are clean and lightly oiled.

Grill the Chicken

  • Place the marinated chicken thighs skin-side down on the hot grill. Close the lid and cook for 5-7 minutes until the skin is golden brown and slightly crispy.

Flip and Continue Grilling

  • Flip the chicken, reduce the heat to medium-low or move to a cooler part of the grill. Close the lid and continue grilling for 15-20 minutes, flipping occasionally, until an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is reached.

Rest and Serve

  • Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5-10 minutes.

Notes

For best results, marinate the chicken overnight to allow the flavors to deeply penetrate. Adjust grilling time based on the thickness of your chicken thighs and the heat of your grill. Serving with sticky rice and a fresh dipping sauce is highly recommended to complete the authentic Thai experience.