How to Make Thai-Style Grilled Chicken with Tamarind Sauce
Thai-style grilled chicken is a delicious dish that fuses the rich flavors of Thailand with the smoky taste of grilled meat. The star of this recipe is the tamarind sauce, which adds a tangy and slightly sweet flavor, elevating the entire dish. Below is a simple yet authentic way to make Thai-style grilled chicken with tamarind sauce.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 4 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
For the Tamarind Sauce:
- 1/2 cup tamarind paste
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste)
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
In a mixing bowl, combine the fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, ground black pepper, and vegetable oil. Mix well to create a marinade.
Add the chicken thighs to the marinade, ensuring they are well-coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or ideally overnight for the best flavor.
Step 2: Prepare the Tamarind Sauce
While the chicken is marinating, prepare the tamarind sauce. In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the tamarind paste and water. Stir until the tamarind dissolves.
Next, add sugar, fish sauce, lime juice, and chili flakes. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 3: Grill the Chicken
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. While the grill is heating, remove the chicken from the marinade and let excess marinade drip off.
Place the chicken on the grill, skin-side down. Cook for about 7-8 minutes on one side, then flip and continue grilling for an additional 7-8 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and has nice grill marks.
For that perfect smoky flavor, you can brush a little tamarind sauce on the chicken during the last couple of minutes of grilling.
Step 4: Serve
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring that the chicken remains moist and tender.
Serve the grilled chicken hot, drizzled with the tamarind sauce, alongside jasmine rice and a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Tips for the Perfect Thai-Style Grilled Chicken
- Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for juiciness and flavor.
- Let the chicken marinate for a longer time to absorb the flavors deeply.
- Monitor the grill temperature to avoid burning the chicken skin while ensuring it cooks through.
Enjoy your homemade Thai-style grilled chicken with tamarind sauce! This dish brings an authentic taste of Thailand to your dining table and is sure to impress your family and friends.