The Thai Barbecue Chicken Recipe Every Family Needs

Thai barbecue chicken brings together a symphony of bold, vibrant flavors that dance across your palate with electrifying intensity.

Marinating revamps ordinary poultry into an extraordinary culinary experience, infusing each tender morsel with complex spices and aromatic herbs.

Zesty ingredients create a harmonious blend that captures the essence of southeast asian street food culture.

Sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy notes intermingle, promising a mouthwatering sensation that transcends typical grilled dishes.

Succulent meat absorbs rich marinades, developing deep layers of taste that spark immediate hunger and anticipation.

Fragrant spices and carefully balanced seasonings elevate this dish from simple protein to a remarkable gastronomic journey.

You’ll find yourself craving these incredible flavor combinations that transport your senses to bustling bangkok street markets.

Thai Barbecue Chicken That Brings the Heat

• Burst with Exotic Flavors: Dive into a mouthwatering fusion of coconut milk, red curry paste, and zesty lime that transforms ordinary chicken into a Thai street food sensation.
• Quick and Easy Grilling Magic: Marinate, skewer, and grill in under 30 minutes, making this recipe perfect for busy weeknight dinners or spontaneous backyard cookouts.
• Texture Party on Your Plate: Enjoy tender, juicy chicken with a crispy grilled exterior, topped with crunchy peanuts and complemented by a silky-smooth peanut sauce that adds layers of excitement to every bite.
• Customize Your Culinary Adventure: Flexible marinade time lets you plan ahead or whip up a delicious meal on the spot, while the versatile recipe welcomes personal tweaks and ingredient swaps.

What You’ll Need for Thai Barbecue Chicken

• Coconut Milk: Rich, creamy base that tenderizes and adds tropical flavor to the chicken.
• Brown Sugar: Provides sweet caramelization and balances the spicy curry paste.
• Red Curry Paste: Authentic Thai seasoning that brings heat and complex spice profile.
• Ginger: Fresh root that adds zesty, warming kick to the marinade.
• Lime Zest: Bright citrus notes that enhance overall freshness of the dish.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for balanced flavor enhancement.

• Chicken: Protein base of the recipe, preferably boneless and skinless for easy marinating and grilling.

• Cilantro, Peanuts: Fresh herb and crunchy texture to top the grilled chicken.
• Peanut Butter: Creamy base for the dipping sauce with rich nutty flavor.
• Soy Sauce: Adds umami depth and saltiness to the sauce.
• Lime Juice: Bright acidity to balance the rich peanut sauce.
• Sesame Oil: Aromatic oil that provides nutty undertone.
• Garlic: Pungent flavor enhancer for the sauce.
• Warm Water: Helps to thin and blend the sauce ingredients smoothly.

Thai Barbecue Chicken Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Marinade

• Coconut milk
• Brown sugar
• Red curry paste
• Fresh ginger
• Lime zest
• Salt
• Black pepper

Seal the bag and shake vigorously until all ingredients blend smoothly.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

Add chicken pieces to the marinade bag. Seal and gently massage to coat the chicken evenly. Refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour or up to 8 hours for deeper flavor infusion.

Step 3: Prepare Skewers

Remove chicken from the marinade. Thread chicken pieces onto wooden or metal skewers, ensuring even distribution.

Step 4: Heat the Cooking Surface

Preheat grill or grill pan to medium heat. Ensure the cooking surface is clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.

Step 5: Grill the Chicken

Place chicken skewers on the heated grill. Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, rotating carefully. Chicken is done when internal temperature reaches 165°F and exterior shows beautiful golden-brown char marks.

Step 6: Create Peanut Sauce

• Creamy peanut butter
• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Fresh lime juice
• Sesame oil
• Minced garlic
• Warm water

Whisk ingredients until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro and crushed peanuts over the grilled chicken. Serve hot with the prepared peanut sauce on the side for dipping.

Tips for Bold and Juicy Barbecue Chicken

• Marinate Smartly: Let chicken soak in the flavorful mixture for at least one hour to ensure deep, rich Thai-inspired taste.
• Control Grill Temperature: Maintain medium heat to prevent burning and ensure even cooking of the delicate chicken.
• Check Chicken Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe, juicy results.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast peanuts briefly before sprinkling to release their nutty aroma and add extra crunch.
• Sauce Consistency Matters: Adjust peanut sauce thickness by adding warm water if too thick, ensuring smooth, drizzle-friendly texture.

Storage Tips for Thai BBQ Chicken Leftovers

• Refrigeration: Store leftover Thai barbecue chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing: Wrap chicken skewers tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months for best quality.
• Reheating: Warm chicken in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent drying out. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F before serving to ensure food safety.

What Goes Well with Thai Barbecue Chicken

• Pair with Crisp Thai Singha Beer: The light, refreshing beer cuts through the rich, spicy marinade and complements the grilled chicken's smoky flavor perfectly.
• Serve with Jasmine Rice Pilaf: The delicate, fragrant rice balances the bold curry and peanut sauce, creating a harmonious and satisfying meal experience.
• Match with Cucumber Mint Cooler: This cool, bright drink offsets the chicken's heat, providing a refreshing contrast that cleanses the palate between bites.
• Complement with Green Papaya Salad: The tangy, crunchy salad adds a zesty freshness that enhances the grilled chicken's complex Thai-inspired flavors.

Twist Ideas for Thai Barbecue Chicken

• Island Fusion Grill: Replace chicken with firm tofu or shrimp, adding fresh mango chunks for tropical sweetness and replacing peanuts with toasted coconut flakes.
• Spicy Southern Remix: Incorporate habanero peppers into the marinade, swap brown sugar for honey, and serve with a zesty jalapeño-lime dipping sauce for extra heat.
• Korean-Thai Crossover: Add gochujang paste to the marinade, garnish with green onions, and serve with kimchi for a bold fusion flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Garden Skewers: Use mixed vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant instead of chicken, keeping the original marinade for a plant-based alternative that maintains the authentic Thai seasoning.

Thai Barbecue Chicken Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Spicy Thai barbecue chicken brings zesty Southeast Asian flavors to your grill. Marinated in a lemongrass and chili blend, this dish delivers tantalizing heat and complex aromatics you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 1 chicken

Sauce Ingredients:

• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• ½ teaspoon minced garlic

Liquid Base:

• ¼ cup warm water

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Create a vibrant marinade by blending coconut milk, brown sugar, red curry paste, ginger, lime zest, salt, and pepper in a sealed freezer bag, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
2. Immerse chicken pieces into the fragrant marinade, allowing them to absorb the complex flavors by refrigerating for a minimum of one hour or up to eight hours.
3. Carefully remove chicken from the marinade and thread evenly onto skewers, ensuring uniform spacing for consistent cooking.
4. Heat a grill or grill pan to medium temperature, preparing a cooking surface that will caramelize the marinade and create appetizing grill marks.
5. Position skewered chicken onto the heated grill, cooking approximately 4-5 minutes per side until the meat reaches a perfect golden-brown exterior and is fully cooked through.
6. Craft a complementary peanut sauce by whisking together peanut butter, soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, sesame oil, minced garlic, and warm water until achieving a smooth, glossy consistency.
7. Garnish the grilled chicken with freshly chopped cilantro and crushed peanuts, adding texture and aromatic complexity to the dish.
8. Serve the Thai barbecue chicken alongside the prepared peanut sauce, allowing diners to drizzle or dip as desired.

Notes

• Marinate the chicken for maximum flavor infusion, allowing the coconut milk and spices to tenderize and enhance the meat’s taste.
• Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
• Check chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to guarantee safe and juicy results.
• Prepare peanut sauce ahead of time, letting flavors meld together for a more robust dipping experience.
• Allow grilled chicken to rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking to help retain moisture and redistribute juices.
• Garnish with fresh cilantro and crushed peanuts just before serving to add texture and vibrant presentation.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 401
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 409 mg
• Fat: 31 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg