Gai Yang: Fragrant Thai Grilled Chicken
Tender chicken thighs marinated in lemongrass, garlic, and palm sugar, grilled to smoky perfection for authentic street-food flavor. This thai-inspired asian (high-protein) ready in about 37 minutes pairs boneless and skinless chicken thighs, fish sauce, palm sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs, boneless and skinless chicken thighs
- 4 tbsp fish sauce
- 3 tbsp palm sugar
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 stalks, outer layers removed and finely minced lemongrass
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Whisk 4 tbsp fish sauce, 3 tbsp palm sugar, 2 tbsp lime juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 minced lemongrass stalks, 1 tsp ground coriander, and 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a bowl until sugar dissolves.
- Step 2: Add 1.5 lbs chicken thighs (cut into 1-inch pieces) to the marinade, toss to coat evenly, and refrigerate for 2 hours (or overnight for deeper flavor).
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high. Grill chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, turning once, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and edges are slightly charred with golden spots.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Gai Yang: Fragrant Thai Grilled Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 37 minutes (25 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Gai Yang: Fragrant Thai Grilled Chicken?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep fish sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Gai Yang: Fragrant Thai Grilled Chicken?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Gai Yang: Fragrant Thai Grilled Chicken for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Gai Yang: Fragrant Thai Grilled Chicken high-protein?
Yes — this recipe is tagged high-protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
