Thai Gai Yang

Thai Gai Yang

SpiceBreeze
Gai yang translates to grilled chicken. It is a very popular dish on the streets of Laos and Thailand. Gai yang is not spicy but rather salty. The addition of unseasoned fresh vegetables balances the flavor. Fresh chilies or a Thai dipping sauce add heat if desired.
hands-on time 30 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Thai
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Protein

  • 1.25 lb chicken breast or thighs *

Fresh Produce

  • 2 carrots
  • 1 lemon for juice
  • 1 butter lettuce
  • 6 green onions thinly sliced
  • 2 fresh chilies (optional) thinly sliced

Packaged Goods/Staples

  • 3 tbsp soy sauce **
  • 1 tbsp sugar best: brown sugar or palm sugar
  • oil
  • salt & pepper

Gai Yang Culinary Spice Kit

  • Lemongrass, galangal, ginger, black pepper, chili, coriander, garlic, lemon peel, ginger, star anise, cilantro, onion, basil, cumin, white pepper, cinnamon, lemon oil

Suggested Sides

  • Jasmine rice ***
  • Rice noodles or hearts of palm noodles

Instructions
 

Prepare

  • Cut chicken lengthwise in half, then into 1/4 inch thin slices.
  • On a GRATER, shred carrots with the largest shred size.
  • Drizzle carrots with 1 tsp lemon juice.

Marinade

  • In a CONTAINER, mix soy sauce, sugar, Gai Yang spices, and 1 tbsp oil.
  • Add the chicken slices and mix well.
  • Cover and let it marinate in the fridge 2 - 24 hours.

Fry

  • In a PAN, heat 2 tbsp oil over high heat.
  • Fry chicken slices until golden on all sides, turning frequently.

Serve

  • Place the chicken slices on lettuce leaves.
  • Top with shredded carrots and green onions.
  • Drizzle with lemon juice.
  • Optionally, add fresh chili slices.
  • Serve with your preferred side.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

* Substitute with shrimp, sirloin beef, or tempeh.
** Substitute soy sauce with 1 tbsp fish sauce. Find more substitutes here.
*** Optionally substitute part of the cooking water with 1 can of pure coconut milk and add 2 tsp sugar per 2 cups of rice.