How to make Gai Pad Gratiam Prik Thai (Garlic and Pepper Chicken) at home
Experience the bold and savory flavors of Thai cuisine with our Garlic and Pepper Chicken recipe. This dish features tender pieces of chicken marinated in a fragrant blend of garlic and spices, stir-fried to perfection in a savory sauce. It's a quick and easy Thai favorite that's bursting with aromatic garlic and the subtle heat of black and white pepper. In just a matter of minutes, you can create a restaurant-quality meal at home that's sure to satisfy your taste buds.
Equipment
- Wok or Skillet A wok is traditionally used for stir-frying in Thai cuisine, but if you don't have one, a large skillet with high sides will work well. The key is to have a wide, flat cooking surface and high sides to accommodate the ingredients and prevent spills.
- Cooking Spoon or Spatula: A wooden or metal cooking spoon or spatula with a flat edge is essential for stir-frying and tossing the ingredients in the wok or skillet.
- Small Bowls: You'll need small bowls to prepare the spice mixture, sauce mixture, and to hold ingredients like minced garlic before adding them to the wok.
- Measuring spoons Measuring spoons are handy for accurately measuring ingredients like sugar, oyster sauce, and soy sauce.
- Cutting board and knife You'll need a cutting board and a sharp knife for cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces and mincing the garlic.
- Mixing Bowls You'll need mixing bowls to marinate the chicken and prepare the various sauce mixtures.
- Whisk or Fork: Use a whisk or fork to combine the sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
- Plate or Serving Platter You'll need a plate or serving platter to present your finished Garlic and Pepper Chicken.
- Garnish Tools: If you plan to garnish the dish with fresh cilantro leaves, sliced green onions, or other toppings, have scissors or a knife for cutting them.
- Heat Source: Ensure you have a stove or cooking range with a heat source to cook the dish.
Ingredients
For the Marinade:
- 450 g boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp palm sugar or granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
For the Garlic and Pepper Sauce:
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 tsp ground white pepper
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp fish sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- Fresh cilantro leaves and sliced green onions for garnish
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl, combine the oyster sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and white pepper.
- Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and mix well. Allow it to marinate for at least 15-20 minutes, or you can refrigerate it for up to 1 hour for more flavor.
Prepare the Seasoning
- In a small bowl, mix the white pepper, black pepper, ground coriander, ground cumin, sugar, fish sauce, and oyster sauce together.
Cook the Chicken:
- Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add the vegetable oil and swirl it to coat the pan evenly.
- Add the minced garlic and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until it becomes aromatic.
- Add the marinated chicken pieces and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes or until they are cooked through and slightly browned.
- Add the mixed seasoning and cook for another 1-2 minutes, allow the chicken to absorb the seasoning
Finish and Serve:
- Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning if needed by adding more fish sauce or sugar according to your preference.
- Remove from heat and transfer the Garlic and Pepper Chicken to a serving platter.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and sliced green onions.
Serve:
- Serve your Gai Pad Gratiam Prik Thai hot with steamed jasmine rice or noodles. Enjoy your delicious Thai Garlic and Pepper Chicken!
Notes
- Chicken Choice: You can use boneless chicken thighs or chicken breasts for this recipe. Thighs tend to be more flavorful and tender, but breasts work well too if that's your preference.
- Marination Time: While marinating for at least 15-20 minutes is sufficient, you can marinate the chicken for longer (up to 1 hour) for even more flavor.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of black and white pepper to control the level of spiciness. If you like it really spicy, you can add more black pepper. If you prefer it milder, reduce the amount of pepper.
- Vegetable Variation: Feel free to add some vegetables to this dish, such as bell peppers, onions, or snap peas. Stir-fry them along with the chicken for a well-rounded meal.
- Sauce Consistency: If you like a thicker sauce, you can mix a little cornstarch with water and add it to the seasoning mixture to thicken it. Stir until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- Garnish Options: Besides cilantro and green onions, you can garnish your Garlic and Pepper Chicken with thinly sliced red chili peppers for an extra kick or some toasted sesame seeds for added texture.
- Serve with Thai Condiments: Serve the dish with traditional Thai condiments like fish sauce with sliced Thai bird's eye chilies and a squeeze of lime juice for additional flavor options.
- Wok or Skillet: If you don't have a wok, a large skillet will work just fine. The key is to use high heat for stir-frying.
- Cooking Time: Be mindful not to overcook the chicken, as it can become dry. Cook until it's no longer pink in the center, and it's slightly browned.