Thai-Inspired Spicy Cilantro Chicken (20 Minutes!)
Back with another 20-minute dinner, today we are making Thai-Inspired Spicy Cilantro Chicken!
Indulge in a burst of vibrant flavors with this super easy Thai-inspired Spicy Cilantro Chicken recipe. A perfect mouthwatering recipe that balances heat, freshness, and herbaceous goodness.
The crispy chicken paired with the spicy and savory sauce, this Spicy Cilantro Chicken is the perfect recipe to go on top of the salad, rice, or noodles or enjoyed on its own.
Don’t you like spicy food? Adjust the spice level, and this spicy cilantro chicken dish will still be super delicious!
We will be pan-frying the chicken first for the crispy skin on Spicy Cilantro Chicken.
That way, the chicken will be extra crispy, which will also help soak up all the sauce. I am using cornstarch today to keep the chicken gluten-free. Other gluten-free flours you can use are tapioca starch and rice flour.
I find that starches give the chicken a crispier and lighter texture compared to using regular flour. The cornstarch will help lightly coat the protect the chicken, ensuring the inside stays nice and crispy! All you need is a thin layer, dust off any excess, and that’s it!
Spicy Cilantro Chicken is an absolute delight for anyone seeking a tantalizing blend of flavors and textures.
With its crunchy exterior and tender interior, this dish has the power to captivate your taste buds from the first bite. This dish is perfect for those seeking a delightful fusion of taste and a touch of heat.
The interplay of savory, spicy, and herbaceous flavors will leave you craving more.
Whether you’re cooking for family and friends or simply indulging in a culinary adventure at home, Spicy Cilantro Chicken is a versatile and easy-to-make dish that will surely impress.
The sauce for the spicy cilantro chicken is super easy and refreshing to make at home!
All you need is garlic, cilantro, Thai red chili, lime juice, soy sauce, and a pinch of sugar. To be honest, this sauce tastes good with EVERYTHING, I even drizzled it on top of the tofu and steamed fish in the past, and it was delicious.
Feel free to adjust the amount of each ingredient based on your liking. I personally love SPICY food, so I increased the amount of Thai red chili to give the dish an extra kick!
Do you want more 20-minute recipes? Here are some of my go-to recipes that you will LOVE!
- Crispy Tofu Patties with Creamy Cilantro Sauce
- Crispy Pork Belly Lettuce Wrap
- Spicy Garlic Spam Fried Rice
- 20 Minute Creamy Miso Mushroom Pasta
- Korean Short Rib Bibimbap
Ingredients
- 4 pieces chicken thigh, boneless skin-on
- Salt and pepper
- ¼ cup cornstarch
CILANTRO SAUCE
- 2 tbsp of soy sauce
- 4-5 stalks of cilantro, chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 Thai red chili, chopped (adjust to own spice level)
- 1 lime, juiced (around 6 tablespoons)
- 0.5 tbsp sugar
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper, and coat the chicken with a thin layer of cornstarch on both sides.
- In a pan, drizzle in oil and turn the heat to medium-high. Once the pan is hot, add the chicken, skin side facing down.
- Pan-fry the chicken for 7 minutes on each side or until crispy and golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Mix soy sauce, cilantro, garlic, red chili, lime juice, and sugar in a bowl. Mix well. Taste to adjust for sweetness
- Drizzle the sauce on top of the chicken, and enjoy!
Thai-Inspired Spicy Cilantro Chicken
By Tiffy Cooks
Ingredients
- 4 pieces chicken thigh boneless skin-on
- Salt and pepper
- ¼ cup cornstarch
CILANTRO SAUCE
- 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 4-5 stalks cilantro chopped
- 6 cloves garlic chopped
- 2 Thai red chili chopped (adjust to own spice level)
- 1 lime juiced (around 6 tablespoons)
- 0.5 tbsp Sugar
Instructions
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper, and coat the chicken with a thin layer of cornstarch on both sides.
- In a pan, drizzle in oil and turn the heat to medium-high. Once the pan is hot, add the chicken, skin side facing down.
- Pan-fry the chicken for 7 minutes on each side or until crispy and golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Mix soy sauce, cilantro, garlic, red chili, lime juice, and sugar in a bowl. Mix well. Taste to adjust for sweetness
- Drizzle the sauce on top of the chicken, and enjoy!
This was terrific! I doubled the sauce & added more cilantro because, y’know your can never have too much cilantro! I couldn’t find skin on boneless, so I baked them (I just didn’t feel like pan frying). I seasoned the chicken, put some EVOO on them & topped with Panko & a spritz of more oil. Worked pretty well & next time I’ll pan fry. Thank you, thank you, thank you for a deliciously easy dish- it was just great! Can’t wait to make it again!
it was so easy to make and so unbelievably tasty! thanks tiffy!
I never write reviews but this one was so good I had to. It was so quick and easy, and the flavor was so bright and tangy. My son and husband raved, and said they want it every week!
is there a non spicy version for kids?
Hi Mich! For a non-spicy version, just skip the chili in the recipe 🙂 Let me know how your kids like them!
Love this recipe! But what sort of lime gives 6 tablespoons of juice 😂
I love this recipe! But I can never find red Thai chiles. I end up using Fresno or jalapeños.
Hi Rebecca! SO GLAD you love this recipe! If you don’t have access to Thai chili, you’ve actually picked the best alternatives! Thank you for sharing!
Tiffy