Description
Thai coconut chicken skewers blend aromatic spices with creamy coconut marinade for an explosive flavor profile. Grill masters and home cooks can easily craft this delightful dish that transports diners straight to Southeast Asian culinary landscapes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 kg (2.2 lbs) chicken (dark meat preferably)
- 4–5 slices ginger (approx. 2 tbsps)
- 2 cloves garlic (approx. 1½ tbsps)
- 2 tbsps soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 6 tbsps coconut cream (for glaze)
- 2 tbsps coconut cream
- 1½ tbsps honey (for glaze)
- 2 tbsps sugar
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp soy sauce (for glaze)
- ¼ cup natural peanut butter (for peanut sauce)
- 2 tbsps coconut cream (for peanut sauce)
- 1 tsp rice vinegar (for peanut sauce)
- 1 tsp Thai red curry paste (for peanut sauce)
- 2 tsps maple syrup (for peanut sauce)
- 2 tsps soy sauce (for peanut sauce)
- 2–3 tbsps water (for peanut sauce)
- 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
- 1 tsp chili oil (optional)
- Crushed peanuts (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Skewer Preparation: Immerse wooden skewers in cold water for 30 minutes to prevent charring during grilling.
- Marinade Creation: Whisk together ginger, garlic, soy sauces, coconut cream, sugar, and oyster sauce in a non-reactive container for robust flavor infusion.
- Chicken Preparation: Slice chicken into uniform chunks, then marinate in the prepared mixture for 1-2 hours in the refrigerator to enhance taste and tenderness.
- Glaze Development: Combine additional coconut cream, honey, and soy sauce to craft a glossy, caramelizing coating for the skewers.
- Skewering Process: Carefully thread marinated chicken pieces onto pre-soaked wooden skewers, maintaining consistent spacing for even cooking.
- Grill Setup: Heat grill to high temperature (500°F/260°C), creating ideal conditions for achieving crisp exterior and sealed-in juices.
- Grilling Technique: Position skewers on hot grates, rotating every 2-3 minutes to ensure comprehensive golden-brown coloration and thorough cooking.
- Glazing Stage: Apply prepared coconut cream mixture generously during final grilling moments to develop a rich, caramelized exterior.
- Final Cooking: Continue grilling until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), guaranteeing safe and succulent result.
- Serving Presentation: Arrange skewers on crisp lettuce leaves, optionally accompanying with spicy peanut sauce for enhanced flavor profile.
Notes
- Prevent Skewer Burning: Soak wooden skewers in cold water for 30 minutes to avoid charring and potential fire hazards during grilling.
- Maximize Flavor Absorption: Marinate chicken chunks for 1-2 hours, allowing the rich blend of ginger, garlic, and sauces to penetrate deeply into the meat.
- Achieve Perfect Grilling: Maintain high grill temperature around 500°F for crispy exterior and juicy interior, rotating skewers to ensure even golden-brown coloration.
- Ensure Food Safety: Cook chicken until internal temperature reaches 165°F, guaranteeing thorough cooking and eliminating harmful bacteria.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 440
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg