Chicken Skewers Thai Recipe

Chicken breast: The main protein, cut into cubes for easy grilling.

Soy sauce: Adds a salty, umami flavor to the marinade.

Fish sauce: A key ingredient in Thai cuisine, providing a unique, savory depth.

Lime juice: Adds a fresh, tangy brightness to the marinade.

Brown sugar: Balances the savory and tangy elements with a touch of sweetness.

Garlic: Minced to infuse the marinade with its aromatic flavor.

Ground coriander: Adds a warm, citrusy note to the dish.

Ground cumin: Provides an earthy, slightly smoky flavor.

Chili flakes: Adds a bit of heat to the marinade, adjustable to taste.

To ensure the chicken absorbs maximum flavor, make small incisions in the chicken cubes before marinating. This allows the marinade to penetrate deeper into the meat. Additionally, if using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken to prevent them from burning on the grill.

• chicken breast - Substitute with turkey breast: Turkey breast has a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a suitable alternative for skewers.

• soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative that provides a similar umami flavor.

• fish sauce - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can mimic the salty and savory aspects of fish sauce, though it lacks the fishy undertone.

• lime juice - Substitute with lemon juice: Lemon juice offers a similar acidity and citrus flavor, making it a good replacement.

• brown sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey provides a similar sweetness and can add a slight floral note to the dish.

• garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in place of fresh garlic, though it may lack some of the fresh, pungent flavor.

• ground coriander - Substitute with ground cumin: Ground cumin has a warm, earthy flavor that can complement the other spices in the recipe.

• ground cumin - Substitute with ground caraway: Ground caraway has a similar earthy and slightly sweet flavor, making it a good alternative.

• chili flakes - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper can provide a similar level of heat and spiciness to the dish.

• Allow the chicken skewers to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the chicken soggy.
• Place the cooled chicken skewers in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. This helps maintain their flavor and moisture.
• Store the chicken skewers in the refrigerator if you plan to consume them within 3-4 days. Make sure the temperature is set to 40°F (4°C) or below to keep the chicken fresh.
• For longer storage, place the chicken skewers in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label the container with the date to keep track of how long they’ve been stored.
• When freezing, ensure the chicken skewers are laid flat in the freezer to prevent them from sticking together. Once frozen, you can stack them to save space.
• To reheat refrigerated chicken skewers, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the skewers on a baking sheet and cover them with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
• For frozen chicken skewers, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, follow the same reheating instructions as for refrigerated skewers.
• Alternatively, you can reheat the chicken skewers on a grill. Preheat the grill to medium heat and cook the skewers for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are heated through.
• If you prefer a quicker method, use a microwave. Place the chicken skewers on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking and turning halfway through to ensure even heating.

• Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken skewers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Cover them loosely with foil to prevent drying out. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until the chicken is warmed through.

• Stovetop Method: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of olive oil or vegetable oil. Place the chicken skewers in the skillet and cover with a lid. Turn occasionally, heating for about 5-7 minutes until the chicken is hot.

• Microwave Method: Place the chicken skewers on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to keep them moist. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking and turning halfway through. Continue heating in 30-second intervals until the chicken is thoroughly warmed.

• Grill Method: Preheat your grill to medium heat. Place the chicken skewers on the grill and heat for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even reheating. This method helps retain the grilled flavor.

• Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken skewers in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.

• Mixing bowl: Use this to combine the marinade ingredients and to marinate the chicken cubes.

• Whisk: This will help you mix the marinade ingredients thoroughly.

• Knife: Essential for cutting the chicken breast into cubes.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for cutting the chicken.

• Measuring spoons: Use these to measure out the soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, ground coriander, ground cumin, and chili flakes accurately.

• Garlic press: Handy for mincing the garlic cloves quickly and efficiently.

• Skewers: These will hold the marinated chicken pieces together while grilling.

• Grill: Preheat this to medium-high heat for cooking the chicken skewers.

• Tongs: Useful for turning the skewers on the grill to ensure even cooking.

• Serving platter: Use this to present the grilled chicken skewers attractively.

Prepare the marinade in advance: Mix the soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, garlic, ground coriander, ground cumin, and chili flakes the night before to save time.

Use pre-cut chicken: Buy chicken breast already cut into cubes to skip the cutting step.

Soak skewers ahead: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes beforehand to prevent burning.

Batch grilling: Grill multiple chicken skewers at once to reduce cooking time.

Preheat the grill: Ensure the grill is preheated to medium-high heat before you start cooking.