Thai Coconut Chicken Skewers – Smoky, Juicy & Bursting with Flavor

Juicy, tender chicken marinated in creamy coconut milk, garlic, lime, and Thai spices, then grilled to smoky perfection—these Thai-inspired skewers are the ultimate summer meal!

🎉 Introduction

These Thai Coconut Chicken Skewers are your ticket to a tropical, smoky, and ridiculously juicy dinner. The chicken is marinated in a flavorful coconut milk-based sauce with Thai spices, grilled until perfectly charred, and served with fresh herbs or a drizzle of spicy peanut sauce. Perfect for BBQs, meal prep, or anytime you want a quick, impressive dish! 🍗🔥

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Skewers (metal or soaked bamboo)
• Large mixing bowl
• Grill or grill pan
• Knife & cutting board
• Measuring cups & spoons

🛒 Ingredients

🍗 Marinade

• 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into chunks
• 1 cup canned coconut milk
• 2 tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce for milder flavor)
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 1 tbsp red curry paste or sriracha (for heat)
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• ½ tsp salt

🌿 Optional Garnish

• Chopped cilantro
• Lime wedges
• Toasted sesame seeds

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

1. In a large bowl, whisk together coconut milk, fish sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, curry paste, turmeric, and salt.
2. Add chicken chunks; toss to coat.
3. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes (up to overnight).

Step 2: Skewer & Preheat Grill

1. Thread marinated chicken onto skewers.
2. Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat; lightly oil grates.

Step 3: Grill

1. Grill chicken skewers 3–4 minutes per side, until charred outside and cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C).

Step 4: Serve

• Remove from grill; rest 2 minutes.
• Garnish with cilantro, lime wedges, and sesame seeds.
• Serve with steamed rice, cucumber salad, or peanut sauce.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 4–6
• Prep Time: 15 minutes + marinating
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: ~25 minutes active

🥄 Variations

• Vegetarian: Substitute chicken with tofu or tempeh.
• Extra Heat: Add Thai bird chilies to marinade.
• Herby: Add fresh basil or mint before serving.
• Sweet & Sticky: Brush skewers with a bit of honey in the last minute of grilling.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Fridge: Store cooked chicken in airtight container up to 4 days.
• Reheat: Microwave or re-grill until hot.
• Freezer: Freeze raw marinated chicken up to 2 months; thaw before cooking.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I bake instead of grill?
   Yes—bake skewers at 425°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
2. What if I don’t have skewers?
   Cook chicken pieces directly on grill or in skillet.
3. Is fish sauce necessary?
   It adds authentic flavor, but you can sub with soy sauce.
4. Can I marinate overnight?
   Absolutely—more flavor!
5. What type of coconut milk?
   Full-fat canned coconut milk for best richness.
6. How do I make it gluten-free?
   Use gluten-free fish or soy sauce.
7. Can I meal prep it?
   Yes—marinate and grill ahead; reheat when ready.
8. How spicy is it?
   Mild-medium with curry paste; adjust heat to taste.
9. What sides pair well?
   Rice, quinoa, slaw, or Thai cucumber salad.
10. Can kids eat this?
    Yes—skip or reduce curry paste for milder flavor.

🏁 Conclusion

These Thai Coconut Chicken Skewers are smoky, juicy, and exploding with tropical flavor—perfect for easy summer grilling or anytime you want to impress with minimal effort! 🥥🍗🔥

Adam

Thai Coconut Chicken Skewers – Smoky, Juicy & Bursting with Flavor

These Thai Coconut Chicken Skewers are your ticket to a tropical, smoky, and ridiculously juicy dinner. The chicken is marinated in a flavorful coconut milk-based sauce with Thai spices, grilled until perfectly charred, and served with fresh herbs or a drizzle of spicy peanut sauce. Perfect for BBQs, meal prep, or anytime you want a quick, impressive dish! 🍗🔥

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

🍗 Marinade

• 1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into chunks
• 1 cup canned coconut milk
• 2 tbsp fish sauce or soy sauce for milder flavor
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
• 1 tbsp red curry paste or sriracha for heat
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• ½ tsp salt

🌿 Optional Garnish

• Chopped cilantro
• Lime wedges
• Toasted sesame seeds

Equipment

• Skewers (metal or soaked bamboo)
• Large mixing bowl
• Grill or grill pan
• Knife & cutting board
• Measuring cups & spoons

Method

 

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

1. In a large bowl, whisk together coconut milk, fish sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, curry paste, turmeric, and salt.
2. Add chicken chunks; toss to coat.
3. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes (up to overnight).

Step 2: Skewer & Preheat Grill

1. Thread marinated chicken onto skewers.
2. Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat; lightly oil grates.

Step 3: Grill

1. Grill chicken skewers 3–4 minutes per side, until charred outside and cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C).

Step 4: Serve

1. Remove from grill; rest 2 minutes.
2. Garnish with cilantro, lime wedges, and sesame seeds.
3. Serve with steamed rice, cucumber salad, or peanut sauce.

Notes

🥄 Variations
Vegetarian: Substitute chicken with tofu or tempeh.

Extra Heat: Add Thai bird chilies to marinade.

Herby: Add fresh basil or mint before serving.

Sweet & Sticky: Brush skewers with a bit of honey in the last minute of grilling.

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Store cooked chicken in airtight container up to 4 days.

Reheat: Microwave or re-grill until hot.

Freezer: Freeze raw marinated chicken up to 2 months; thaw before cooking.

❓ 10 FAQs
Can I bake instead of grill?
Yes—bake skewers at 425°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.

What if I don’t have skewers?
Cook chicken pieces directly on grill or in skillet.

Is fish sauce necessary?
It adds authentic flavor, but you can sub with soy sauce.

Can I marinate overnight?
Absolutely—more flavor!

What type of coconut milk?
Full-fat canned coconut milk for best richness.

How do I make it gluten-free?
Use gluten-free fish or soy sauce.

Can I meal prep it?
Yes—marinate and grill ahead; reheat when ready.

How spicy is it?
Mild-medium with curry paste; adjust heat to taste.

What sides pair well?
Rice, quinoa, slaw, or Thai cucumber salad.

Can kids eat this?
Yes—skip or reduce curry paste for milder flavor.

🏁 Conclusion
These Thai Coconut Chicken Skewers are smoky, juicy, and exploding with tropical flavor—perfect for easy summer grilling or anytime you want to impress with minimal effort! 🥥🍗🔥