Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 25 mins | Difficulty: Intermediate | Serves: 6 |
kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
437 | 10g | 3g | 20g |
sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
18g | 1g | 60g | 1.5g |
I am incredibly excited to introduce to you one of my absolute favorite dishes, the Thai Lime and Ginger Sticky Chicken. This vibrant and lusciously tangy treat is much more than just a simple chicken dish—it’s a hearty feast for all your senses. Every time I prepare this recipe, I can’t help but reminisce about the heartwarming family meals that punctuated my childhood, centered around rich and robust Italian-American cuisine. Meals that, thankfully, I can now pass down to my own grandchildren.
Unearthing Family Traditions and Creating New Ones
Though miles away from my Italian roots, the Thai Lime and Ginger Sticky Chicken shares a familiar bond with some of my favorite cuisines. Similar to my grandmother’s zesty lemon chicken, this dish packs in the flavor but with a unique southeast Asian twist. The fiery taste of ginger coupled with the citrusy burst of lime titillates the taste buds in a delightful dance. It’s heartening to see how my Italian-American heritage and the food exploration I journeyed on over the years have breathed life into a beautiful gastronomical mix that I can happily pass down to future generations.
Health in Hearty Dishes
What gives this Thai Lime and Ginger Sticky Chicken an extra edge is its impressive health benefits. Ginger, the star ingredient in the dish, is not just an aromatic spice but also a powerhouse of health benefits, from aiding digestion to staving off colds. Combined with vitamin-C rich limes, the whole dish becomes a wonderful example of how scrumptious food can fuel the body and keep us healthy.
The Thai Lime and Ginger Sticky Chicken can stand alone as a complete main course, yet it can also be wonderfully paired with a bowl of steamed jasmine rice or a cool cucumber salad for a wholesome meal. If you’re keen to explore other Southeast Asian flavors, this dish goes very well with spring rolls as an appetizer. This fiery and tangy chicken fusion is a testament to the beauty of food explorations and how they end up creating unforgettable culinary gems. After experiencing the taste of this rich, flavourful dish, it might just become a staple in your household too.
What You’ll Need
- 3 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 4 limes, zest and juice
- 3 tablespoons of fresh ginger, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup of honey
- 2 tablespoons of fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon of Thai chili sauce
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup of cilantro, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup of green onions, chopped
- Lime wedges for serving
Method
Step One
Take the 3 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breast and season it with salt and pepper to taste, ensuring to cover the entire surface area equally.
Step Two
In a large bowl, combine the zest and juice of 4 limes, 3 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh ginger, 1/2 cup of honey, 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon of Thai chili sauce, minced cloves of garlic, and 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro. Stir thoroughly until the ingredients are well mixed to create the marinade for the chicken.
Step Three
Place the seasoned chicken into the marinade, ensuring each piece is coated well. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or longer if time allows, to let the chicken fully absorb the flavours.
Step Four
After marinating, heat up a grill or large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken until it’s browned and cooked through, this normally takes around 6-8 minutes on each side depending on the thickness of the chicken. During the cooking process, continue to baste the chicken with the remaining marinade for extra flavour.
Step Five
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the grill or skillet and set it aside to rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute within the meat, ensuring moist and juicy chicken.
Step Six
Finally, sprinkle the cooked chicken with the 1/2 cup of chopped green onions and serve with lime wedges on the side. This Thai Lime and Ginger Sticky Chicken is now ready to be enjoyed!