Easy Thai Baked Chicken

Full of the complex flavours of Thailand, this Easy Thai Baked Chicken is a make-ahead dish that freezes well too. Cilantro, jalapeño, ginger, basil, garlic and coriander all play together to produce this aromatic, slightly spicy chicken dish that leaves you wanting more.

Course Entrée/Main Dish

Cuisine Thai

Diet Gluten Free

Cook Time 25

Marinating Time 2

Total Time 2 25

Servings servings (2 tbsp)

Calories 239kcal

Author Elaine

Equipment

instant read meat thermometer

Ingredients

6-8 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves or 12 boneless chicken thighs
1 tablespoon oil (for skillet)

Marinade

1-½ cups chopped fresh cilantro
¾ cup canned coconut milk
12 leaves fresh basil
1 large or 2 small jalapeños, seeds removed
3 cloves garlic
¼ - ½ inch slice of fresh ginger
1-½ teaspoon sea salt
1-½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¾ teaspoon ground coriander
2 teaspoon packed brown sugar, or coconut palm sugar
2 limes cut into wedges, for garnish

Instructions

Add marinade ingredients to food processor and purée until smooth.
Arrange chicken parts in a single layer in a large freezer bag. Pour marinade over chicken, seal tightly or vacuum seal and massage the marinade into the chicken a bit. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours, or simply lay it flat in the freezer and freeze for another day.
To bake bone-in skin-on chicken: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Heat a large oven-proof skillet over medium to high heat. Add oil and wait until it ripples or shimmers. Add chicken pieces and sear on each side for 3-4 minutes, then place the skillet in the oven for 15 - 20 minutes, or until it has reached an internal temperature of 165°F. Check the temperature with an instant-read meat thermometer.
To bake boneless, skinless chicken parts: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place the marinated chicken parts in a baking dish. Discard the remaining marinade. Bake the chicken until it has reached an internal temperature of 165°F. about 25 - 30 minutes.
Cover with foil and let stand on a platter for 5-10 minutes before serving.
If you want to grill it instead: Place chicken on medium-hot well-oiled grill. Turn when chicken has grill marks (approx. 5-6 min). Cook until internal temperature is 165 degrees at the thickest part (about 7-10 minutes).
Sprinkle with more chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

Notes

If you've frozen the chicken parts in a marinade, thaw completely before cooking. The safest way to thaw is in the refrigerator overnight.

Nutrition