Gluten-Free Asian Fried Chicken with Chili-Lime Dipping Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-05 · Updated 2026-05-05

Crisp fried chicken coated with a flavorful gluten-free batter served alongside a zesty chili-lime dipping sauce for a perfect balance of heat and tang. This Thai recipe (gluten free), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, rice flour, cornstarch for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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, cut into 2-inch pieces chicken thighs
• 1 cup rice flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup cold sparkling water
• for deep frying, about 4 cups vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp chili flakes
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp soy sauce (gluten-free)
• 1 tsp minced garlic

The chef’s knife we’d prep this with → Best Chef's Knives for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup rice flour, 1/2 cup cornstarch, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Gradually add 1 cup cold sparkling water, stirring until a smooth batter forms.
2. Step 2: Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep pot to 350°F (175°C). Pat dry 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 2-inch pieces.
3. Step 3: Dip each chicken piece into the batter, allowing excess to drip off, then carefully lower into the hot oil. Fry in batches for 6-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
4. Step 4: For the dipping sauce, whisk together 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp chili flakes, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp gluten-free soy sauce, and 1 tsp minced garlic until well combined.
5. Step 5: Serve the fried chicken hot with the chili-lime dipping sauce on the side for dipping.