Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Grilled Thai Chicken Recipe

1. Irresistible Sweet-Heat Balance: The sticky sweet chili glaze provides the perfect harmony of sweet, savory, and spicy notes. Each bite of juicy chicken is coated in this irresistible flavor combination.
2. Restaurant-Quality, Effortless to Make: Experience the bold flavors of Thailand without the restaurant price tag. This recipe utilizes simple ingredients and requires minimal prep. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have a delicious and impressive meal ready to enjoy, perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining guests.
3. Incredibly Versatile for Any Meal: This Thai chicken recipe easily adapts to your culinary preferences. Serve it with a side of fluffy rice, create flavorful bowls, add protein to your salads, enjoy it in refreshing lettuce wraps, or simply savor it straight off the grill. The possibilities are endless!

Ingredients for the Best Grilled Thai Chicken

This recipe relies on a handful of carefully selected ingredients that contribute to its incredible flavor. Below, I’ll explain the purpose of each ingredient and provide some helpful substitution options to ensure you can still enjoy this recipe even if you’re missing a few items.

For precise measurements, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

• Thai Seasoning: This is the foundation of our Thai-inspired flavor. For a convenient option, check out my homemade Thai seasoning blend recipe. It takes only 5 minutes to mix up and can be stored in your pantry for future use. If you don’t have all the ingredients for the seasoning, you can use a combination of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and red pepper flakes (for a touch of heat) to season the chicken.
• Chicken Thighs: I prefer using boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this recipe because they are naturally juicy and tender. However, if you prefer a leaner option, you can also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure the chicken is cooked through but not dry.
• Olive Oil (or Vegetable Oil): A simple yet crucial ingredient for preventing the chicken from sticking to the grill and helping the seasoning adhere evenly.
• Sweet Chili Sauce: This is a key ingredient for creating the signature sweet and spicy glaze. Look for it in the Asian section of your grocery store. The sauce provides a delightful stickiness and a vibrant flavor profile.
• Soy Sauce: Adds a savory depth and umami richness to the glaze. For a gluten-free option, use tamari.
• Lime Juice: The bright and zesty lime juice balances the sweetness of the chili sauce and adds a refreshing tang to the glaze.
• Sriracha: This fiery chili sauce allows you to customize the level of heat in your glaze. Add more or less depending on your spice preference.
• Cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds a vibrant, herbaceous note to the glaze and complements the other Thai flavors. If you are not a fan of cilantro, you can omit it or substitute it with other fresh herbs such as Thai basil.

How to Make Grilled Thai Chicken: Step-by-Step Instructions

To make this recipe super easy to follow at home, I’ve included step-by-step photos below. For the full, detailed recipe instructions, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

1. Season the Chicken: Lightly coat each chicken thigh with olive oil. Then, generously sprinkle Thai seasoning evenly over all sides of the chicken. Ensure each piece is well-coated for maximum flavor.
2. Prepare the Glaze: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, sriracha, and chopped fresh cilantro. Mix well until all ingredients are fully combined. Set the glaze aside for later use.
3. Grill the Chicken: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F). Place the seasoned chicken thighs on the preheated grill. Grill for approximately 5-6 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has a beautiful sear. During the last 2 minutes of grilling, brush half of the prepared glaze generously over the chicken thighs, allowing the glaze to caramelize and create a sticky, flavorful coating.
4. Rest and Glaze: Remove the chicken thighs from the grill when the internal temperature reaches 160°F, using an instant-read thermometer. Remember that the temperature will continue to rise by about 5 degrees as the chicken rests. Place the chicken on a cutting board and let it rest for about 5 minutes. During this resting period, brush the remaining glaze over the chicken thighs, ensuring they are fully coated in the delicious glaze. Finally, slice or dice the chicken before serving.

Delicious Ways to Serve Your Grilled Thai Chicken

This Grilled Thai Chicken is incredibly versatile, allowing you to create a variety of delicious meals. Here are a few serving suggestions to get you started:

• Lettuce Wraps: Dice the grilled chicken and serve it in crisp butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce leaves for a tasty appetizer or light meal. Add some shredded carrots, cucumbers, and a drizzle of extra glaze for added flavor and texture.
• Build a Flavorful Bowl: Create a satisfying and healthy bowl by pairing the grilled chicken with cooked white rice, brown rice, or fragrant coconut rice. Then, add your favorite veggies such as pickled onions, sliced cucumbers, shredded carrots, or steamed broccoli. Garnish with chopped fresh herbs, like cilantro or green onions, for a burst of freshness.
• Top a Vibrant Salad: Elevate your Asian-style salad by adding this flavorful grilled chicken as a protein source. Combine mixed greens with shredded cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, and a sesame ginger dressing for a complete and satisfying meal.
• Noodle Perfection: Transform these Thai Peanut Noodles into a hearty and flavorful dinner by topping them with the Grilled Thai Chicken. The combination of the creamy peanut sauce and the sweet and spicy chicken is simply irresistible!

Alternative Cooking Methods: No Grill, No Problem!

Don’t have a grill? No worries! You can still enjoy this delicious Grilled Thai Chicken using other cooking methods. Here are a couple of options:

Stovetop: Place a cast-iron skillet (or the heaviest skillet you have) on the stovetop and heat it over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the seasoned chicken thighs and cook for approximately 6 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Brush half of the glaze on the chicken during the last 2 minutes of cooking time.

Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the seasoned chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Air fry for 6 minutes, then flip and cook for another 4 minutes. Brush half of the glaze on the chicken and air fry for another 2 minutes, or until the thickest part of the thigh reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.

More Delicious Asian-Inspired Chicken Recipes to Try

If you love this Grilled Thai Chicken recipe, then you’ll definitely want to check out these other popular Asian-inspired chicken dishes!

Grilled Thai Chicken Recipe

Find the detailed ingredients list, instructions, and nutritional information below.

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Grilled Thai Chicken

This Grilled Thai Chicken recipe is juicy, smoky, and packed with Thai-inspired flavor! Finished with a sweet chili glaze, this recipe is delicious, versatile, and easy to make.

Servings:

4
servings

Prep Time:

10
minutes

mins

Cook Time:

10
minutes

mins

Resting Time:

5
minutes

mins

Total Time:

25
minutes

mins

Author:

Whitney Bond

Course:
Main Course

Cuisine:
Thai

Ingredients

• 2
  pounds
  boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1
  tablespoon
  
  olive oil
  ,
  or vegetable oil
• 3
  tablespoons
  
  Thai seasoning
  ,
  see notes below
• ¼
  cup
  
  sweet chili sauce
  
• 2
  tablespoons
  
  soy sauce
  
• 1
  tablespoon
  
  lime juice
  
• 1
  tablespoon
  
  sriracha
  
• 1
  tablespoon
  
  fresh cilantro
  ,
  chopped

Instructions

• Preheat a grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F.
• Rub the chicken thighs with the olive oil then sprinkle the Thai seasoning evenly over the chicken.
• In a small bowl, whisk the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, sriracha, and fresh cilantro together. Set it aside.