Grilled Thai Chicken Wings

These Grilled Thai Chicken Wings have a flavorful and aromatic Thai style marinade similar to Gai Yang (grilled chicken). The wings are grilled over indirect heat low and slow until the skin is golden and crispy, but still tender on the inside.

Reader Christine Says: “These were absolutely delicious. I am a wing fanatic. I make them all the time and am always on the lookout for new flavor profiles. I also recently learned about Golden Mountain Sauce and don’t know how to use it yet, so finding your recipe was a treat. It’s a keeper! My family descended upon them like a school of piranhas. Making again tonight! Thank you (and your Mom) for the recipe!” ★★★★★

My Mom adapted her Gai Yang marinade to use on chicken wings instead since they are easier to work with and more convenient for people to just grab a wing. These wings make a great party appetizer or meal with some Thai Sticky Rice.

Thai Style Marinade

We are making a simple and aromatic marinade for the wings, and it consists of 4 ingredients:

• Garlic
• Cilantro
• Soy Sauce
• Oyster Sauce

Like any recipe, you’ll find variations of a Gai Yang marinade, but this is my Mom’s way to get a flavorful chicken wing without much fuss.

The marinade starts with pulsing garlic and cilantro in a food chopper or processor until finely chopped. We’re using the stems and leaves of the cilantro, because most of the flavor is actually in the stems.

Next we’re adding soy sauce and Oyster sauce for saltiness and subtle sweetness. Traditionally Thai cooking uses Golden Mountain Soy Sauce, which does have a slightly different flavor profile than traditional Japanese soy sauce. I’ve made the marinade using Golden Mountain and using a low sodium Japanese soy sauce, and both will work in this recipe.

How to Grill

The key to perfectly grilled wings that don’t taste burned is to use Indirect Heat. You do not want to use high heat because the outside will be burned and the inside uncooked.

We use a ceramic charcoal grill or Kamado, and place a heat deflector on the bottom of the grill. The temperature of the grill is at 350 degrees.

If you are using a gas grill then only turn one of the burners and place the wings on the non-burner side. The first side will cook for 30 minutes, then flip each wing over and cook for another 15 minutes. The wings will develop a beautiful brown color.

How to Serve

Grilled Thai Chicken Wings can be served as a appetizer or with a meal. We love to eat these with Thai Papaya Salad and Thai Sticky Rice. The flavors go so well together!

You can also serve the wings with a Thai Sweet Chili dipping sauce for even more flavor. The marinade also works great on Chicken legs, thighs, breast, or even a whole chicken.

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