Introduction
Cooking with marinated chicken thighs can elevate your culinary experience, infusing rich flavors into a tender and juicy dish. This recipe features a delightful blend of garlic, fish sauce, and spices that creates a savory, sticky glaze when baked. Perfectly paired with rice and fresh vegetables, it’s an easy yet impressive meal for any occasion.
Detailed Ingredients with measures
5 large chicken thighs, skin-on, bone-in (~1.2kg/2.4lb)
Marinade:
4 garlic cloves, finely minced or crushed
2 tbsp fish sauce
2 1/2 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tsp white pepper, ground (substituting black is acceptable)
1 tbsp ground turmeric
1/4 cup brown sugar (tightly packed)
Prep Time
Marinating time: At least 3 hours, preferably overnight.
Cook Time, Total Time, Yield
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 4 hours (including marinating)
Yield: 5 servings
To prepare this delicious dish, mix the marinade ingredients in a large bowl, add the chicken, and allow it to soak up the flavors. After marinating, bake the chicken to achieve a golden brown and sticky texture, basting it periodically for enhanced flavor. Serve it alongside jasmine or coconut rice and fresh vegetables to complete the meal. Whether cooked in the oven, on the stove, or on the BBQ, this recipe offers flexibility in preparation while ensuring a tasty outcome. Enjoy!
Detailed Directions and Instructions
Marinade the Chicken
In a large bowl, combine the finely minced garlic, fish sauce, oyster sauce, white pepper, ground turmeric, and brown sugar. Mix these ingredients thoroughly to form the marinade. Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and toss them well to ensure they are fully coated in the marinade. Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate for at least 3 hours; for best results, marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to preheat at 180°C (350°F) or 160°C (fan-forced).
Prepare the Baking Tray
Line a baking tray with baking paper or parchment paper to prevent sticking. Place the marinated chicken thighs on the tray, arranging them skin side up. Make sure to scrape all the marinade from the bowl and dab it onto the chicken for extra flavor.
Bake the Chicken
Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake the chicken for 40 minutes. At the 30-minute mark, baste the chicken with the juices from the tray to enhance browning and stickiness. Rotate the tray as necessary to ensure even cooking.
Caramelize the Skin
After the initial baking time, increase the oven temperature to 200°C (390°F) or 180°C (fan-forced). Return the chicken to the oven for an additional 10 minutes to achieve a beautifully caramelized and crispy skin.
Rest and Serve
Once fully cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and allow it to rest for about 3 minutes. Serve the chicken alongside jasmine or coconut rice, complemented by plain chunks of tomato and cucumber, following the traditional Thai serving style.
Notes
Chicken Cuts
For the best results, use bone-in thighs as they remain juicy during baking while achieving a nicely caramelized skin. Drumsticks are a close second. If you prefer boneless thighs, adjust the weight to around 750g (1.5lb) and consider adding 1 tablespoon of oil to the marinade.
Cooking Methods
This recipe is versatile and can be cooked on the BBQ, on the stove, or in the oven. When using the stove or BBQ, be cautious of the sugar in the marinade, as it tends to burn. For stovetop cooking, heat a skillet over medium heat and place the chicken skin side down, covering with a lid for about 5 minutes until the skin is dark golden. Then turn the chicken, cover again, and cook for an additional 8 to 10 minutes until cooked through, basting the skin with residual marinade.
For BBQ, cook at medium heat for around 15 minutes total, basting with the marinade.
Other Cuts Cooking Time
– Drumsticks: Bake for 50 minutes.
– Skinless boneless thighs: Bake for 20 – 25 minutes or stove/BBQ for 5 minutes each side on medium heat.
– Chicken breasts: Bake for around 20 minutes or cook on stove/BBQ for approximately 5 minutes each side on medium.
Recipe Source
This recipe is slightly adapted from a Tumeric Chicken recipe from Real Thai Recipes.
Nutrition Information
The nutrition information provided in this recipe assumes 5 servings, excluding the fat that is rendered out during cooking.
Cook techniques
Marinating
Mix the marinade ingredients thoroughly in a large bowl. Add the chicken pieces and ensure they are well coated. Allow the chicken to marinate for a minimum of 3 hours, but preferably overnight for enhanced flavor.
Baking
Preheat your oven to 180°C/350°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and arrange the marinated chicken skin-side up. Use the remaining marinade to dab onto the chicken. Bake for approximately 40 minutes, basting at the 30-minute and 40-minute marks with the tray juices. Increase the temperature to 200°C/390°F for an additional 10 minutes to caramelize the skin.
Stovetop Cooking
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Place the chicken skin-side down, cover with a lid, and cook for about 5 minutes until the skin turns dark golden brown. Flip the chicken and cover again, cooking for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, basting with the marinade as it cooks.
BBQ Cooking
Preheat the BBQ to medium heat. Cook the marinated chicken for about 15 minutes in total, turning occasionally and basting with the marinade to ensure even cooking and flavor.
FAQ
Can I use other chicken cuts for this recipe?
Yes, while bone-in, skin-on thighs are recommended for their juiciness, you can also use drumsticks, boneless thighs, or chicken breasts. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
What should I serve with this chicken dish?
This chicken pairs well with jasmine or coconut rice and traditional Thai-style plain chunks of tomato and cucumber.
How do I prevent the sugar in the marinade from burning?
When using a stovetop or BBQ, it’s crucial to cook over medium heat to prevent the sugar from burning. Monitor the cooking closely and baste regularly.
Can I marinate the chicken for longer than overnight?
Yes, marinating for longer can enhance the flavor, but be cautious not to exceed 24 hours as the texture of the chicken may begin to change.
Conclusion
This marinated chicken recipe showcases the perfect blend of flavors with its rich combination of garlic, fish sauce, oyster sauce, and spices. The method of baking the chicken ensures a deliciously caramelized and golden skin while keeping the meat juicy and tender. Whether served with rice and fresh vegetables, this dish is sure to impress and satisfy.
More recipes suggestions and combination
Grilled Tandoori Chicken
Marinate chicken thighs in yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and tandoori spices. Grill until cooked through for a smoky flavor.
Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger for a sweet and savory glaze. Bake or pan-fry chicken thighs until caramelized.
Spicy Chipotle Chicken
Combine chipotle peppers in adobo sauce with lime juice, garlic, and cumin to create a spicy marinade. Grill or bake the chicken for a smoky kick.
Herb Lemon Roast Chicken
Create a marinade with fresh herbs, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. Roast the chicken for a bright, flavorful dish.
Asian BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Use a mixture of soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and sesame oil as a marinade. BBQ the chicken drumsticks for a flavorful outdoor meal.
