Juicy Thai BBQ Chicken Recipe (Gai Yang)

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This Thai BBQ Chicken Recipe is an easy way to make Thailand’s famous barbecue chicken, or gai yang, at home. Chicken thighs absorbed with a lemongrass and garlic rich marinade, then grilled to perfection. The result is juicy, aromatic, smoky pieces of chicken that are loaded with flavor.

Thai BBQ Chicken on a white plate with lime wedges and a side of rice.

Table of Contents

Traditional Thai chicken involves a whole chicken, some pounding of pastes, a charcoal fire, and usually a lively location with street vendors. These are typically difficult to replicate, at least where I am. This Thai BBQ Chicken recipe recreates that amazing flavour, makes it home-cook friendly, and way more convenient.

The Thai marinade is where all the magic happens. Lemongrass gives it that authentic Thai brightness, while maple syrup creates the most gorgeous caramelization on the grill. The best part? It’s ridiculously easy – just marinade, grill, and prepare yourself for compliments.

Start your grill, because this Thai BBQ Chicken will become your new favourite way to cook chicken. It’s quick enough for a Tuesday but impressive enough for company. Keep in mind, you can also turn this recipe into oven baked chicken if you don’t have a barbecue.

For another delicious recipe to try, our Thai Pumpkin and Coconut Soup is a fan-favorite.

If you’re on the hunt for another marinade to try, Our Grilled Greek Chicken has the best greek marinade ever.

Marinated and cooked Thai BBQ Chicken on a round white plate with lime slices.

Why You’ll Love This Thai BBQ Chicken Recipe

Flavorful Marinade – The lemongrass and lime combo is bright and citrusy without being overpowering.
Minimal prep time – Aside from bruising the lemongrass and mincing garlic, this comes together in about 10 minutes. The marinade does all the heavy lifting while you go about your day.
Works on the grill or in the oven – Flexibility is key when you have a recipe you want to make year-round.
Great for meal prep – These thighs hold up beautifully in the fridge for 4-5 days. I’ve eaten them cold straight from the container over the sink more times than I’d like to admit

Total Time: 1½ Hour

Serves: 4

Ingredients and Notes

As always, the full ingredients and recipe is on the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Ingredients on a table to make Thai BBQ Chicken.

Chicken Thighs – Bone-in thighs (even drumsticks and wings) are more forgiving, cheaper, and are juicier than chicken breasts. They don’t dry out even if you accidentally overcook them a bit. Yet, you can most certainly use chicken breast if you’d like, or skinless or skin-on.
Lemongrass Stalk – If you cannot find fresh lemongrass, you can use lemongrass paste or lemongrass powder as a substitute. Start with a smaller amount and adjust according to your taste preference.
Marinade Ingredients – With the lemongrass, it also consist of fresh minced garlic, lime juice, lime zest, Sriracha sauce, low sodium soy sauce (or you can use fish sauce), rice vinegar, sesame oil, cilantro and maple syrup. You can use honey or brown sugar as a substitute for the maple syrup.
Seasoning – salt and black pepper to taste.

Thai Marinade Uses

This delicious Thai marinade works well with other proteins other than chicken. You can use it to cook shrimp, salmon tofu, or even pork.

Simply adjust the marinating and cooking time accordingly, as different proteins have different cooking requirements (ex. shrimp marinates for 30 minutes, and salmon for 1 hour max).

Recipe Variations

Adjust Spice – The amount of sriracha sauce in the recipe provides a mild to medium heat. If you prefer a spicier kick, you can increase the amount or add some crushed red pepper flakes.
Make Baked Thai Chicken – If you don’t have access to a grill or prefer to bake the chicken, you can preheat your oven to 400°F and bake the marinated chicken thighs on a lined baking sheet for approximately 20-25 minutes or until cooked through.
Thai BBQ Chicken Skewers: Instead of grilling the chicken thighs as whole pieces, you can cut them into smaller, bite-sized pieces and thread them onto skewers.
Thai BBQ Chicken Lettuce Wraps: Take your Thai BBQ Chicken to a fresh and light level by serving it in lettuce wraps. Grill the chicken thighs as directed, then slice them into thin strips. Serve the strips in lettuce leaves and top with sliced cucumbers, shredded carrots, chopped peanuts, and a drizzle of sweet chili sauce.

Thai BBQ Chicken on a white plate with lime wedges, fresh cilantro and a side of cooked rice.

Tips for Success

Don’t skip bruising the lemongrass. Those oils locked inside the stalk are essential.
The sauce is liquid gold – Sometimes I make extra marinade to brush on while cooking. That sticky, caramelized coating is what makes this chicken irresistible.
While a minimum of 1 hour is recommended for marinating, if you have the time, consider marinating the chicken overnight. This extended period allows the flavors to penetrate the meat more deeply, resulting in a more flavorful end result.
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat for optimal cooking. This ensures a nice sear on the chicken while allowing it to cook through evenly without drying out.
Allow cooked chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute, resulting in a juicier and more flavorful final dish.

How to Make Thai BBQ Chicken

fresh lemongrass, cilantro and garlic on a cutting board.

1. Prepare the lemongrass. Remove the tough outer layers of the stalk lemongrass until you get to stalk that is yellow or white. Bruise the lemongrass by hitting it a few times with the back of a knife or rolling pin, then cut into large pieces so you can remove it before cooking.

2. Make the marinade. In a mixing bowl, combine lemongrass, minced garlic, lime juice, lime zest, sriracha sauce, dark soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, cilantro and maple syrup. Whisk vigorously until all the ingredients are combine.

chicken thighs in a thai sauce marinating in a glass bowl.

3. Marinade the chicken. Place the chicken thighs in the bowl and mix them gently with the marinade, ensuring each piece is well-coated Allow the chicken to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or for maximum flavors, let it rest overnight.

Thai BBQ Chicken being cooked on a grill.

4. Grill the chicken. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates to prevent any stickiness. Take the marinated chicken thighs out of the marinade and place the chicken pieces on the preheated grill. Grill each side for about 8-10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

Thai BBQ Chicken on a plate with lime wedges and cilantro.

5. Rest and serve. Once the chicken is cooked , transfer it to a serving platter, letting it rest for a few moments. Generously sprinkle more fresh cilantro or chopped green onion, if desired.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the Thai BBQ Chicken as the star of the meal. Place the grilled chicken thighs on a platter and garnish with fresh cilantro. You can even top with our Tomato Mango Salsa.

You can serve it alongside a sticky rice like steamed jasmine rice or coconut rice. They will absorb the flavorful juices. Also great over rice noodles, or even alongside Vietnamese Shrimp Salad Rolls.

Add some grilled vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or zucchini for a colorful and nutritious balanced meal. You can also serve with a cucumber salad, an Asian slaw, or green papaya salad.

Thai BBQ Chicken on a plate with rice and broccoli.

Storage

If you have leftover cooked Thai BBQ Chicken, let it cool down before refrigerating. Place the chicken in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

If you want to store the Thai BBQ Chicken for a longer period, freezing is a great option. After grilling and cooling the chicken, place it in a freezer-safe container. The chicken can be frozen for up to 3 months.

How to Use Thai BBQ Chicken Leftovers

One of the beautiful things about this grilled chicken recipe, is that there are sop many ways to use up the leftovers. You can enjoy cold or reheated as is.

Or, chop them up and use for the protein in our BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe. Use the leftovers in a wrap for lunch or dinner the next day.

Recipe FAQ

Can I make Thai chicken without a grill?

Absolutely. I’ve made this in the oven, under the broiler, in a grill pan, and even in my air fryer. For the oven, bake at 425 degrees F for 20-25 minutes. For the air fryer, cook at 400 degrees F for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway. The broiler works too but watch it like a hawk because that maple syrup will burn quickly.

How long do I marinate thai chicken?

Minimum 1 hour, but 4-6 hours is ideal. Overnight is great too. I wouldn’t go much longer than 24 hours because the acid from the lime juice can start to break down the texture of the meat and make it mushy.

More Grilled Chicken Recipes

If you’ve tried this Grilled Thai Chicken let me know how it went in the comments below. Finally, consider leaving a 🌟 star rating while you’re here. Thanks!

Thai BBQ Chicken

Delicious Thai BBQ Chicken is an easy recipe that brings authentic street food flavor to your kitchen.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin

Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 20

Marinade Time: 1

Total Time: 1 40

Servings:

Course: Main Dishes

Cuisine: Thai

Author: Tammi

Ingredients

8 skinless boneless chicken thighs
1 lemongrass stalk
3 tablespoons olive oil
5 cloves garlic (minced)
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp lime zest
1 tsp sriracha sauce
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tsp sesame oil
2 tablespoons maple syrup
¼ cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions

With the back of a spoon, smash the lemongrass, cut into large pieces so you can remove it before cooking.
In a mixing bowl, combine lemongrass, minced garlic, lime juice, lime zest, sriracha sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, cilantro and maple syrup. Whisk vigorously until all the ingredients are combine.
Place the chicken thighs in the bowl and mix them gently with the marinade, ensuring each piece is well-coated Allow the chicken to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or for maximum flavors, let it rest overnight.
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates to prevent any stickiness.
Take the marinated chicken thighs out of the marinade and place them on the preheated grill. Grill each side for about 8-10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
Once the chicken is cooked , transfer it to a serving platter, letting the chicken rest for a few moments.
Generously sprinkle more fresh cilantro, if desired.