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    Home » Main Dish » Chicken

    Thai Chicken Marinade

    By Jill Baird · Published October 19, 2022 · Updated December 22, 2022 · Leave a Comment

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    This Thai Chicken Marinade recipe makes the most tender, juicy chicken that is full of authentic sweet and spicy Thai flavor. We’ve included instructions on how to marinate and grill your chicken breasts, along with our recipe for a simple peanut sauce to serve alongside.

    Jump to:
    • Easy Thai Marinade Recipe
    • Ingredients in Marinade for Thai Chicken
    • How to Make This Thai Marinade Chicken Recipe
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Storing
    • Grilled Thai Chicken Marinade Recipe
    • More Asian-Inspired Chicken Recipes

    Easy Thai Marinade Recipe

    This simple Thai Marinade for chicken recipe is a great way to turn ordinary chicken breasts into a unique and flavorful meal. The sweet and spicy marinade is made up of fresh lime juice, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, green onions, and a touch of red pepper flakes. Just toss together with your chicken, place in the fridge overnight, and you’ll be ready to grill or bake your tender, juicy chicken the next day.

    I like to serve Thai chicken over fluffy coconut rice or quinoa with fresh lime wedges and the quick and easy peanut sauce included in this recipe. If you have any leftovers, serve sliced or diced over your favorite green salad. Pro tip: the peanut sauce can be thinned down and made into a delicious dressing.

    A large bowl full of dipping sauces, shredded carrots, bean sprouts, sliced green onions, and sliced Thai chicken covered in peanut sauce.

    Ingredients in Marinade for Thai Chicken

    • Chicken Breasts - this recipe calls for boneless, skinless chicken breasts but you could absolutely substitute bone-in or boneless chicken thighs, chicken tenders, or chicken wings.
    • Avocado Oil - you can also use olive oil or vegetable oil for the marinade ingredients.
    • Soy Sauce - any soy sauce will work, including regular, low salt, or even tamari.
    • Lime Juice - fresh lime juice tastes the best.
    • Garlic - it’s best to use fresh minced garlic, but the jarred minced garlic will work in a pinch.
    • Ginger Powder has a great ginger flavor and makes things easy, but you could also use 2 teaspoons of fresh minced ginger instead.
    • Water - this is to thin down the marinade a touch.
    • Green Onions - you’ll want these to be thinly sliced.
    • Red Pepper Flakes - these add just a touch of heat to the marinade. You could also substitute a dash or two of Thai sweet chili sauce.
    Side by side photos of a bowl full of thai marinade for chicken, the bowl with chicken breasts added, and a grill with chicken cooking.

    Peanut Sauce 

    • Peanut Butter - while I usually use creamy peanut butter, you can definitely use crunchy if you don’t mind a sauce that isn’t completely smooth.
    • Water - instead of water you could substitute coconut milk.
    • Sugar - this recipe calls for granulated sugar, but brown sugar would make a tasty substitute, as would palm sugar.
    • Soy Sauce - again, you can use regular soy sauce, low salt, or even tamari.
    • White Wine Vinegar - this helps round out the flavors. You could substitute a bit of rice wine vinegar.
    • Red Pepper Flakes - if you like things spicy, I recommend adding a pinch to this sauce.

    How to Make This Thai Marinade Chicken Recipe

    1. Marinate the chicken. In a medium bowl or other container, add the chicken and marinade ingredients. Stir until combined, cover with plastic wrap, and marinate overnight in the fridge, or for at least 20 minutes.
    2. Remove from the marinade and preheat the grill. Once you have marinated the chicken, remove the chicken from the marinade, discard the remaining marinade, and let the chicken come to room temperature while preheating the grill.
    3. Cook the chicken. Place the chicken on a preheated 350 degree grill and cook chicken on the grill for 4-7 minutes per side, or until golden on each side and the internal temperature reads 165 degrees F on a digital thermometer.
    4. Rest and serve. Remove chicken from the heat and place on a serving tray.  Cover with foil and let rest for 5-10 minutes.  Serve over rice with peanut sauce and fresh lime wedges. Enjoy!
    5. Optional: How to make the peanut sauce. In a small pan, add the peanut butter, water, sugar, soy sauce, white wine vinegar, and crushed red pepper flakes.  Heat over medium high heat while whisking and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature before stirring in the lime juice. Serve as a dipping sauce for the chicken or thin a little with water and use as a salad dressing. 
    Chicken breasts with grill marks cooking on a grill.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How long should you marinate chicken?

    If you are in a pinch, you can marinate the chicken for as little as 20 minutes. However, for the juiciest, most flavorful chicken, we recommend that you marinate chicken for at least 12 hours, or overnight. The longest that we recommend marinating would be 48 hours in the fridge.

    Can I make the Thai marinade for chicken ahead of time?

    If you want, you can mix together the Thai Chicken Marinade ingredients the day before and store in an airtight container in the fridge.

    Can you use this Thai Chicken Marinade recipe for baked chicken breasts?

    Absolutely! You can use this marinade recipe for any of your favorite grilled or baked chicken recipes.

    Storing

    • Refrigerator: store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make sure to discard any leftover marinade after you have used it.
    • To reheat: reheat chicken on a baking sheet in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.  You can also reheat a small portion in the microwave, for about 1-2 minutes on high, or until warmed through.
    • Peanut Sauce: you can store leftover peanut sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
    Print

    Grilled Thai Chicken Marinade Recipe

    This Thai Chicken Marinade recipe makes the most tender, juicy chicken that is full of authentic sweet and spicy Thai flavor. We’ve included instructions on how to marinate and grill your chicken breasts, along with our recipe for a simple peanut sauce to serve alongside.
    Course Condiments, lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine American, Asian
    Prep Time 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
    Marinating Time 12 hours hours
    Total Time 35 minutes minutes
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 310kcal
    Author The Carefree Kitchen

    Ingredients

    Thai Marinade for Chicken

    • 2 pounds Chicken Breasts or 6 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts
    • 1 Tablespoon Avocado Oil
    • ¼ cup Soy Sauce
    • 2 Tablespoons Lime Juice
    • 2 teaspoon Garlic minced
    • ½ teaspoon Ginger Powder or 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
    • 3 Tablespoons Water
    • 4 large Green Onions sliced
    • ½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes

    Peanut Sauce

    • ¼ cup Peanut Butter
    • 2 Tablespoons Water
    • 2 Tablespoons Sugar
    • 1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce
    • ½ teaspoon White Wine Vinegar
    • 1 pinch Red Pepper Flakes (optional)

    Instructions

    Thai Chicken Marinade Recipe

    • In a medium bowl or other container, add the chicken, 1 tablespoon of avocado oil, soy sauce, lime juice, minced garlic, ginger, water, thinly sliced green onions, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir until combined, cover with plastic wrap, and let marinate for 20 minutes-24 hours in the fridge.
    • Once you have marinated the chicken, remove the chicken from the marinade, discard the remaining marinade, and let the chicken come to room temperature while preheating the grill.
    • Place the chicken on a preheated 350 degree grill and cook for 4-7 minutes per side, or until golden on each side and the internal temperature reads 165 degrees F on a digital thermometer.
    • Remove chicken from the heat and place on a serving tray. Cover with foil and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Serve over rice with peanut sauce. Enjoy!

    Peanut Sauce Recipe

    • In a small pan, add the peanut butter, water, sugar, soy sauce, white wine vinegar, and crushed red pepper flakes. Heat over medium high heat while whisking and bring to a boil.
    • Remove from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature before stirring in the lime juice. Serve as a dip for the chicken or thin a little with water and use as a salad dressing.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 310kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 936mg | Potassium: 709mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 269IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg

    More Asian-Inspired Chicken Recipes

    • Chicken Lettuce Wraps
    • Thai Chicken Salad
    • Crockpot Cilantro Lime Chicken
    • Basil Chicken Stir Fry
    • Baked Lemon Ginger Chicken
    • Baked Lemon Chicken
    • Cilantro Lime Chicken with Quinoa
    • Grilled Teriyaki Chicken
    • Simple Oven Baked Chicken Breast
    • Honey Soy Chicken Thighs
    • More Chicken Recipes
    • More Easy Dinner Recipes

    If you’ve tried this recipe, please rate it and leave a comment on this post. I love hearing feedback from you. It helps me and other readers too! If you love Pinterest,  feel free to leave a comment and photo there too.  Also, if you like to share, use the hashtag #thecarefreekitchen on Instagram and tag me @thecarefreekitchen so I can find you and give your post some love. You can also find me on Facebook at The Carefree Kitchen. Thank you!!

    This Thai Chicken Marinade recipe is a simple way to turn ordinary chicken into a delicious Asian-inspired meal. It makes the most tender, juicy, and flavorful chicken using just a few simple ingredients.

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