Thai Grilled Chicken (Gai Yang) Recipe
Thai Grilled Chicken, or Gai Yang, is a flavorful and juicy grilled chicken dish marinated with aromatic garlic, fresh cilantro, savory fish sauce, and a hint of sweetness from sugar. This authentic street food favorite from Thailand offers a perfect balance of smoky, salty, and slightly sweet flavors, making it an irresistible grilled delight.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Thai
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (about 3–4 lbs), butterflied or split
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine minced garlic, chopped cilantro, fish sauce, and sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely, creating a fragrant marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the butterflied chicken in a large dish or resealable bag and pour the marinade over it. Massage the marinade thoroughly into the chicken skin and meat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight for deeper flavor penetration.
- Preheat the Grill: Get your charcoal or gas grill hot, aiming for a medium-high temperature that will sear the chicken while cooking it through evenly.
- Grill the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken skin side down on the grill. Grill for about 10-15 minutes per side, turning occasionally until the skin is charred and crispy, and the meat is juicy and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 75°C).
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This helps retain juiciness. Serve with sticky rice and a spicy dipping sauce for an authentic Thai meal experience.
Notes
- Marinating overnight enhances the depth of flavor significantly.
- You can adjust the sugar level depending on your preferred sweetness.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can also broil the chicken in the oven, but grilling gives the best smoky flavor.
- Use fresh fish sauce for the most authentic taste.
- Serve with fresh vegetables like cucumber and a side of sticky rice for a complete meal.
Keywords: Thai grilled chicken, Gai Yang, grilled chicken recipe, Thai street food, marinated chicken, garlic cilantro chicken
