Thai Chicken Bites
Thai Chicken Bites are crispy, juicy, and bursting with authentic Thai flavors — marinated chicken pieces infused with lemongrass, garlic, fish sauce, lime, and chili, then pan-fried, baked, or deep-fried to golden perfection. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or quick meal, they’re versatile, easy to prepare, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Skillet or frying pan (or deep fryer, oven, air fryer)
- Tongs
- Paper towels
- Measuring spoons and cups
Ingredients
For the chicken and marinade:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon lemongrass paste or finely chopped fresh lemongrass
- 1 teaspoon Thai chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or palm sugar
For coating (optional):
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch or rice flour
For garnish (optional):
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Green onions, sliced
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together fish sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, chili flakes, and brown sugar until sugar dissolves.
- Marinate the chicken: Add chicken pieces to the marinade, toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours (or overnight for best flavor).
- Optional coating: Remove chicken from marinade and lightly toss in cornstarch or rice flour, shaking off excess.
Cook the chicken:
- Pan-fry: Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken bites in batches, cook 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
- Deep-fry: Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken bites in batches for 3–5 minutes until crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Arrange bites on parchment-lined sheet, spray lightly with oil. Bake 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway, until cooked and golden.
- Air fry: Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Cook bites in a single layer for 10–12 minutes, shaking halfway through.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh cilantro, green onions, and lime wedges. Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Marinating longer intensifies flavor — overnight marinating is ideal but not required.
- Adjust spice level by varying chili flakes or removing seeds from fresh chilies.
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce and rice flour instead of cornstarch.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when cooking to maintain crispiness. Cook in batches if needed.
- Leftovers reheat well in the oven or air fryer to regain crispiness.
- Serve with dipping sauces like sweet chili, peanut sauce, or tamarind for extra flavor layers.