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This was absolutely amazing! My husband and friends loved it! I added some of the sauce to the quinoa, too. Definitely on of my favorites list!
Karissa
Whoa baby – this Spicy Thai Chicken is seductive.
From the moment it first sets your mouth on fire, it’s going to have you hooked with its flavor-loaded, saucy, sticky exterior and light-your-face-on-fire spice status.
*cue everyone leaving*
Guys it’s not that spicy YOU’LL BE FIIINE.
There’s a lot going on here besides spice that will draw you in, and besides, we can tone it down a little bit if need be, okay? You just cannot turn away from this kind of fiery, saucy, one in a million Spicy Thai Chicken love + affection.
Let’s Talk About Chicken Here
We’re using chicken thighs for this Spicy Thai Chicken. I said THIGHS.
Are you mad? Are you nervous?
You could totally make this with chicken breasts, too – it’s just that, I don’t know – are chicken breasts just a little sad to anyone else, too? I think it might be that I just literally don’t know how to make them super well. Never mastered that trick. Hi, thanks for following this blog, I don’t know how to make the most common type of chicken, you are now dismissed. (Until I made this AIR FRYER chicken and now this mission is accomplished.)
You know those times when people think you’re good at something (cooking meatless recipes) but its more that you’re just NOT good at something else (cooking with meat)? Now you’re tracking with me.
EXCEPT! This is the exception. Spicy Thai Chicken that is equal parts hot and sweet and salty with quinoa and maybe a little cucumber / mint / lime salad on the side? = ROCKING GOOD CHICKEN.
Here’s Why You’ll Love This
In addition to the featured usage of that sticky sauce that I let simmer into golden syrupy goodness while the chicken marinated in a little extra, it was the use of boneless skinless chicken thighs that really saved the day for me. Boneless skinless because I’m needy for things to be basic, and thighs because the meat is just more flavorful and juicy and it cooperated with me by getting those nice grill marks on the outside while staying tasty on the inside.
Like, I actually *wanted* to eat it.
Licked my fingers, nabbed bites in between photos, made it again for dinner two nights later. When it comes to chicken, consider me your picky toddler for chicken recipes: dear readers, this Spicy Thai Chicken has hereby received the Picky Toddler Slash Food Blogger stamp of approval.
It’s just waiting for you. Cause ALL YOU DO IS WIN WIN WIN NO MATTA WHAT 🏆
More Delicious Recipes with Chicken Thighs
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Spicy Thai Chicken and Quinoa
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 1x
Description
Spicy Thai Chicken and Quinoa, made with chili sauce, agave, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, and peanuts! Sticky, saucy, and delicious.
Ingredients
For the Spicy Thai Sauce:
- 1/2 cup Thai style chili sauce (see notes)
- 1/2 cup water or chicken broth
- 1/4 cup agave or honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
For the Chicken:
- 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 cups uncooked quinoa
- chopped peanuts, cilantro, and chili flakes for topping
Instructions
- Sauce: Whisk all the sauce ingredients together. Set aside about 1/2 cup sauce to marinade the chicken. In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the sauce to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 30 minutes or so until the sauce has thickened.
- Quinoa: Cook according to package directions.
- Chicken: Place the chicken in a bag or bowl with the reserved 1/2 cup sauce to marinate. Return to the refrigerator and let it all hang out for 30 minutes or so, while the sauce thickens. Shake off excess marinade and transfer to a hot grill pan or skillet. Let the chicken cook for a few minutes on each side, until no longer pink, brushing periodically with the thickened sauce.
- Serving: Plate the quinoa on a large platter and top with the chicken. Brush the whole thing with extra sauce. Sprinkle with cilantro, peanuts, and chili flakes.
Notes
I served this with a quick little cucumber-mint-lime salad! Delicious.
For the chili sauce, I used “Thai Style Chili Sauce” like this. (affiliate link)
We had plenty of leftover sauce to freeze and use for this recipe again!
Nutrition is for 6 servings using half of the total sauce amount since you will probably have extra sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
Keywords: thai chicken, chicken and quinoa, healthy chicken recipe, spicy chicken
this is my JAM. already pinned. making for dinner tonight :)))
I’d like to make this, but I’m a little confused. What kind of “Asian chili sauce” did you use? Siracha, sweet chili sauce, or something I haven’t hear of?
I had the same question as Stacy. I really want to make this for dinner soon, but wasn’t sure what sauce to use.
Me too! I was wondering what is Asian chili sauce…
Hey Stacy – good question – I wasn’t exactly sure what to call it because they’re all named a little differently. I’ll add some recipe notes to clarify. Here’s a link to a similar product: http://www.kikkomanusa.com/homecooks/products/products_hc_details.php?pf=10516&fam=105
That link really didn’t answer the question as none of them were labeled Thai Chili Sauce. Are you saying just to look in the Asian isle and find a label that says what your saying to look for? Is it the sweet chili sauce or not?
I used 1/4 cup of sweet chili sauce and 1/4 cup sriracha as my “thai style sauce” and it turned out absolutely incredible. This is by far my favorite recipe on this website!
I have chili garlic sauce, Sriracha & red curry paste. I guess I can mix the sauce & sriracha together.
That’s the agave that I always have in my kitchen. This recipe looks and sounds like a winner!
LOVE Wholesome!
I am always looking for good chicken thigh recipes, I think this one will be a keeper! I can’t wait for my family to try this!
Thanks Jamie! Hope you like it!
This is a BEAUTIFUL dish – and sounds so delicious, too! Can’t wait to try it. I love Wholesome products, they really are so good!!
Thanks Lucia! I would agree about Wholesome! 😀
Omg Lindsay this looks so good and those perfectly seasoned chicken pieces look to die for!!
Thanks Ami! I was pretty excited about those sweet grill marks 😉
Beautiful dish. I love Thai recipes. This is going to be my weekend special dish.
Thank you Kavita! hope you like it!
This sounds wonderful. Just wondering how to tone it down a bit. 1/4 c of Asian chili sauce instead of 1/2 c? Would this change the thickness of the sauce etc. or just add more broth?
Looking forward to your suggestions.
I wouldn’t add more broth – maybe try it as-is with less chili sauce and just brush it with less sauce as it’s cooking, or this would totally change the flavor but you could add in some hoisin or some other thicker sauce without as much spicy flavor to compensate.
I think I’m actually going to make this for dinner tonight. I’m all about the burn your face off spice!
this will be right up your alley then!
I’m excited to make this. I just finished eating your spring quinoa dish with peas and asparagus (it freezes well), yum! As I took my last bite, i thought I could use some more quinoa recipes, thank you!
love hearing that! Thanks Megan!
This looks SO delicious! I’m saving this one to make soon (once I’ve finished devouring Easter eggs)
Yes – good call! We are in the ultimate egg season.
You’ve hit the perfect chord!!! Spicy chicken. Now who has been telling you that you can’t cook meat?? I’m sure it must be an jealous blogger who isn’t acquainted with your delicious recipes. You, my dear, are Lindsay the Limitless Source of Luscious Recipes!! Don’t you forget it!!!!!!
haha thanks Marisa! no one is telling me that – other than myself. 🙂 Half the time I make chicken it never makes it to the blog because its not that good. THIS one, though… this one is good!
I’m so glad that you clarified that it’s not too spicy! This looks so good but I can’t handle too much spice!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
It’s definitely spicy but the heat can be toned down for sure!
I’ve been craving Asian food lately, thanks for the recipe!
Thanks Ashleigh! hope you like it!
This is amazing! Just made it for dinner tonight. What a delicious explosion of flavors in my mouth!
I’m so glad to hear that Kathy! 😀
Love your blog and the simple, straight forward, clean flavors in your recipes. I also like that you use chicken thighs. I think we need to go back to the days of eating the whole chicken. There is such a demand for chicken breasts and wings. It is no wonder we have the problems we do with poultry farming. Oops, I will hop off that soap box.
Thank you Jodi! Appreciate that – even the soap box! 😉
i never get tired of chicken recipes as it is the only animal protein i eat. it looks soon good and actually simple with pantry ingredients 🙂
that’s awesome – thanks for the comment Dixya!
You are hilarious, and this looks delicious. Saved & I will be making this for dinner.
???? for the win!
Love everything about your blog!
thanks Erikka! 🙂 Hope you like it!
Absolutely YES!!!! I’m so all over this meal. I mean, you had me at thai but then I saw the quinoa part and nearly started dancing in excitement!
glad to hear that Tori!
I always get excited about your chicken recipes because I know they GOTTA be good if you actually used chicken…
Aaaaaaaaand this recipe doesn’t look like it has a chance of disappointing <3 Spicy sweet combo? COME TA MAMA <3
hahah right?? This from a non-chicken lover!
thank you so much for the recipe, about the sauce, for how long can i keep it frozen?
We haven’t tried freezing this sauce, but most keep well in the freezer for months!
This Thai sauce is on point! Do you think this would work on ribs too?
We haven’t tried, but that sounds delicious! If you give it a shot, we’d love to hear how it goes!
Looks delicious, will have to try it soon!
Definitely a great post! Loving this recipe!
Thanks, Sarah!
This chicken is so gorgeous it totally makes you look like The Chicken Expert!
Thanks, Kathryn!