Thai fried marinated chicken with lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves

A Thai street food classic

In Thailand, fried chicken is a breakfast favourite as well as a popular snack sold by street vendors throughout the day. This Thai fried marinated chicken with lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves is a fragrant variation, crispy on the outside and tender inside. Easy to prepare, it combines the citrus notes of lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves for a bright, aromatic result.

Recipe for Thai fried marinated chicken (serves two – 12 pieces)

This dish takes only fifteen minutes to prepare and fry, for deliciously golden and juicy bites.

Ingredients

Marinated chicken:

• 300 g chicken (preferably thigh fillets), cut into 12 evenly sized pieces

• ½ tbsp sesame oil

• 1 tbsp light soy sauce

Batter:

• 6 tbsp tempura flour

• 7 tbsp water

• 1 pinch of salt

• 2 kaffir lime leaves, finely sliced

• 20 g lemongrass, very finely sliced

For frying:

• Vegetable oil

Preparation

1. Marinate the chicken. Mix the chicken with sesame oil and light soy sauce. Leave to rest for a few minutes.

2. Prepare the batter. Combine tempura flour, water, salt, kaffir lime leaves and lemongrass. Mix until smooth. Adjust the consistency with a little more water or flour if needed.

3. Improve adhesion. Lightly dust the marinated chicken with one tablespoon of tempura flour before dipping into the batter. This helps the coating stick better.

4. Fry. Heat the oil to 180°C. Deep-fry the pieces for about three minutes until golden brown. Drain on absorbent paper.

5. Serve. Enjoy with a sweet and sour cucumber relish or sweet chilli sauce.

Tips for perfect results

• Use chicken thighs rather than breast for tender, juicy bites.

• A slightly thick batter gives a crisp, even coating.

• Keep the oil between 180°C and 200°C to ensure a crispy batter without excess oil absorption.

Further reading: Thai cuisine and cooking classes

Love Thai fried chicken? Discover our recipes for traditional Thai fried chicken and pandan leaf fried chicken. Prefer a plant-based version? Try our fried marinated tofu.

If you are visiting Thailand, join our private Thai cooking classes on Koh Samui and learn how to prepare this dish and many others. Find out more on our page Thai cooking classes on Koh Samui.

Find this recipe in our book

This recipe is featured in our Starters and snacks ebook, which includes 40 authentic Thai recipes for fritters, spring rolls and appetisers. Available from our online store.