Description
These Grilled Thai Coconut Chicken Skewers combine tender dark meat chicken marinated in a blend of ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and coconut cream, then grilled to perfection with a sweet and savory coconut cream glaze. Served with a quick and easy peanut sauce, they make a delicious and vibrant appetizer or main dish with authentic Thai flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 1 kg chicken dark meat, cut into 1×1 inch chunks
- 4-5 slices ginger (approx. 2 tablespoons), finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic (approx. 1½ tablespoons), finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons coconut cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
Coconut Cream Glaze
- 6 tablespoons coconut cream
- 1 ½ tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
Peanut Sauce (Optional)
- 2 tablespoons coconut cream
- ¼ cup natural peanut butter (unsweetened)
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Thai red curry paste
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 2-3 tablespoons water (to thin as needed)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
- 1 teaspoon chili oil (optional)
- Crushed peanuts (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Peanut Sauce (Optional): In a small bowl, thoroughly combine coconut cream, natural peanut butter, rice vinegar, Thai red curry paste, maple syrup or honey, soy sauce, and water to achieve your desired thickness. Add sesame oil and chili oil if using, then set the sauce aside until the chicken skewers are ready to be served.
- Marinate the Chicken: Cut the chicken into 1×1 inch chunks. Finely chop the garlic and ginger, then mix these with soy sauce, dark soy sauce, coconut cream, sugar, and oyster sauce to create the marinade. Coat the chicken pieces with this mixture and marinate for 1-2 hours, or preferably overnight for deeper flavor.
- Skewer the Chicken: Thread the marinated chicken chunks tightly onto skewers, ensuring they are evenly spaced for consistent cooking.
- Prepare Coconut Cream Glaze: In a separate bowl, whisk together coconut cream, honey, and soy sauce to create a sweet and savory glaze for basting during grilling.
- Grill the Skewers: Preheat your grill to direct heat at approximately 500°F (260°C). Place the skewers over the grill and cook for 15-18 minutes, turning every 2-3 minutes for even cooking. While grilling, generously brush the coconut cream glaze on the chicken to enhance flavor and moisture.
- Serve: Arrange the grilled chicken skewers over fresh lettuce leaves and drizzle or serve alongside the prepared peanut sauce. Optionally, sprinkle crushed peanuts on top for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- Marinating overnight enhances the flavor and tenderness of the chicken.
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes prior to grilling to prevent burning.
- The peanut sauce is optional but adds a rich, complementary flavor to the grilled chicken.
- Adjust spiciness by adding or omitting chili oil in the peanut sauce.
- For gluten-free version, ensure soy sauce and oyster sauce are gluten-free or substitute with tamari and gluten-free oyster sauce.
