Authentic Thai Grilled Chicken Recipe (Gai Yang – ไก่ย่าง)

🥗 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• ✅ Juicy and tender chicken – marinated with Thai herbs and spices

• ✅ Authentic Thai flavor – tastes like Bangkok street food

• ✅ Perfect for outdoor BBQs – easy to grill or roast at home

• ✅ Customizable – works with whole chicken, chicken legs, or wings

🧂 Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the Marinade:

• 1 whole chicken (about 1.2–1.5 kg), split or halved

• 4 cloves garlic

• 3 shallots

• 1 stalk lemongrass, white part only, chopped

• 2 tsp coriander root (or 1 tsp ground coriander)

• 2 tbsp fish sauce

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp oyster sauce

• 1 tsp sugar

• ½ tsp white pepper

Optional Dipping Sauce (Nam Jim Jaew):

• 2 tbsp fish sauce

• 2 tbsp lime juice

• 1–2 tsp chili flakes

• 1 tsp roasted rice powder

• 1 tsp sugar

🍳 How to Make Gai Yang

1. Prepare the chicken:
   Clean and pat dry the chicken. Make shallow cuts on both sides for better marinade absorption.

2. Make the marinade:
   Blend garlic, shallots, lemongrass, coriander root, fish sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and white pepper into a smooth paste.

3. Marinate the chicken:
   Rub the marinade all over the chicken, inside and out. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours, preferably overnight for maximum flavor.

4. Grill the chicken:
   Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill chicken for 15–20 minutes per side, basting occasionally with leftover marinade, until cooked through and skin is golden and slightly charred.

5. Prepare dipping sauce:
   Mix fish sauce, lime juice, chili flakes, roasted rice powder, and sugar in a small bowl. Adjust seasoning to taste.

6. Serve:
   Serve hot Gai Yang with sticky rice, cucumber slices, and Nam Jim Jaew dipping sauce.

🌶️ Tips for Perfect Thai Grilled Chicken

• Marinate overnight for deeper flavor and tender meat.

• Baste while grilling to keep chicken moist.

• Use medium heat to avoid burning the skin while ensuring meat cooks through.

• Serve immediately for the best texture and aroma.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

• Serve with sticky rice (Khao Niao) and papaya salad (Som Tam) for a classic Thai meal.

• Pair with grilled vegetables for a complete BBQ spread.

• Add Nam Jim Jaew sauce for an authentic Thai dipping experience.

💡 Fun Fact

Gai Yang originated in Isaan (Northeastern Thailand), where it’s often sold alongside sticky rice and spicy dipping sauces at street markets. Its signature flavor comes from lemongrass, coriander root, and garlic, giving it a distinct aroma loved across Thailand.