Originally published in Jan 28, 2009, updated with new photos.
I love fried chicken and some of the most flavorful fried chicken in the world are from Southeast Asia, for example, this crispy, moist, juicy and extremely delicious Thai fried chicken.
I learned this Thai fried chicken recipe from Chez Pim, a talented food blogger turned Michelin-star restaurateur. The recipe is easy, with very simple ingredients, and fail-proof.
These fried chicken rival the best ones from street vendors in Bangkok. They are best served with Thai sweet chili sauce which you can buy from Asian stores. Enjoy!
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Dan
Beautiful fried chicken pictures. Love them all.
My Taste Heaven
Fried chicken, fried chicken. I love fried chicken. I trust you that this recipe is good and will give it a try!
Eating Penang
In Penang, Belacan fried chicken is very popular and there are many hawkers selling them. Fried chicken is always a good family recipe that everyone enjoy.
Adeline
Thank you very much for this recipe to zing up the dull January we’re going through!!
This creation is going to satisfy everyone in the house and lighten up their day!!
matt wright
The best fried chicken I have ever seen. Lovely photos too.
chuck
Once again a stunning photo. I can almost taste this chicken. I love fried chicken.
Valerie Kuan
Yummy fried chicken!! I love fried chicken but each time I deep fried there is still blood in the bones, what did I do wrong? What is cilantro roots? Thanks!
Marc @ NoRecipes
Looks great! I love Asian fried chicken. If you’ve never had it Korean fried chicken is amazing too (it’s sweet, garlicy and spicy and has a crispy glaze). There’s Japanese fried chicken (kara-age) which is soy and ginger marinated then dusted in corn starch.
Maryann
Very tempting :)
Ken
Fried chicken is one of those dishes which is loved by everyone, regardless of your background and origin. And that’s why KFC created a huge fried chicken empire even though their fried chicken are just OK. Thanks for finding such a great fried chicken recipe and share with us. Love the fried chicken gallery too. Yummy!
Bee Yinn
Valerie – If there is still blood in the bones, it means they are not completely cooked, so put them back and dry for another minute or so. Cilantro = coriander. It’s the white part of the coriander stalks.
Jan
That fried chicken looks sooooo good!
pigpigscorner
They look perfect! I love chicken wings esp fried…yummy with sweet thai chili sauce.
mycookinghut
This is a great dish! I love fried chicken.. especially the crispy skin… :)
Salt N Turmeric
I started using rice flour to coat when i fry chicken after reading somebody’s blog who also refers to Chez Phim’s. They are crunchier. I like!
Anonymous
Great fried chicken photos. What you made should rival those chicken wings from chain restaurants. Applebee’s, Chili’s, Pizzahut, Domino’s, Hooter’s, or KFC, new Asian addition to menu?
Passionate Eater
What an excellent idea for a Super Bowl party! Thanks to you Rasa Malaysia, and Chez Pim!
May
First time here. Found your site through Google. I love all sorts of fried chicken and am tired with the same fried chicken recipe and wish to try new fried chicken recipes. Thanks for the tips about making fried chicken crispy. I can’t think of any American fried chicken that uses rice flour. I will have to try your fried chicken recipe soon. Thank you.
Lingzie
yum! this looks like a really good recipe!! supposed to be going on detox after all that CNY eating… but after seeing this post…. all detox plans flying out the window!
Anonymous
Delicious! I’ll try to use the same marinade to bake the wings.
By the way, do you throw out the oil or do you reuse it again for cooking?
Rasa Malaysia
Daniel – thanks for trying the fried chicken recipe. I have posted some soup recipes and you can find them at https://rasamalaysia.com/rasa-malaysia-recipe-index/
Jane
I actually made this for my family last night and we loved it (even my 3 yr old). I was hesitant about using fish sauce as a marinade thinking that it might be too salty and fishy. But with the cilantro and garlic, all the flavors were well balanced – Delicious! This will definitely be a regular on our menu. Thanks!!!
joyce
hey rasa…
its me again…thnk you your recipe its really awesome…more power on your site…
joyce,
chandler, a,z
Rasa Malaysia
You’re welcome, I am glad you love it. :)
Ine
Only been to Thailand once and I’ve been looking for the recipe for the street fried chicken ever since. Now I’ve found it, major thanks ;) Tried this out, and it is every bit as good as the real thing :)
ray
hi i just wan to find out that what how to get 2 tablespoons cilantro roots..???
Rasa Malaysia
Chop up the cilantro roots, and then fit them into the spoons. You need two TBS.
Thomas
Hi,
I tried this fried chicken recipe to be served together with nasi lemak last night. I must say this has got to be the most delicious fried chicken I’ve ever eaten in my life. It’s really fragrant from each bite and certainly infused with the flavour of an authentic Asian fried chicken. Thank you so much for posting this recipe!
VW
Is there a substitute for cilantro roots? I live in Canada and I don’t think the stores sell cilantro roots, just the leaves.
Rasa Malaysia
Use the stems instead.
Caroline
Tried this recipe for the first time today…. it really is sooooo goooood! My only regret is I didn’t cook more of it… it disappeared within minutes!
David Sinclair
I just got back from Thailand I travelled north to Chiang Rai and south to phuket and phi phi island, I loved the chicken that I got off the carts, but I can’t seem to find the recipe, to my taste I don’t remember tasting cloves or black pepper, it was just fried chicken, if some one could help me ,that would be great thanks, sincers \o.o/
David Sinclair
how ever I shall give this recipe a try thanks, sincers \o.o/
lilian
i checked out chez pim’s recipe and it used rice flour only. Is your batter even cripsier if u use a combination of rice, all purpose and corn flour? Just asking ur opinion as i am definitely gonna try out these wings.
Rasa Malaysia
The thing about rice flour only is that they don’t stick to the chicken so the crispy coating falls apart easily. You can try both version and decide.
lilian
btw, i also read that adding baking powder or self rising flour produces a fluffier crispier batter? is this true?
Rasa Malaysia
Yes, or baking soda.
adam
how much baking soda such I add to the flourmix?
adam
how much baking soda such I add to the flourmix
Felicia
I’m about to make this and realise I don’t have rice flour, is there any substitute?
Rasa Malaysia
Skip it.
Joanne
You know how much my family and my dotter loves the recipe. They “sapu” all!
I marinated the chicken with cilantro, still taste wonderful!
I substitute rice flour with tapioca flour, the chicken skin still remain its crunchiness after I left it in room temp for quite some time.
Great recipe, thanks!
Jo
What a delicious recipe – this is one that I will be trying for my family in the very near future. Thank you so much for sharing.
http://www.aussie-true-blue-recipes.com
Chat 2 Friend
Excellent tips & method about recipes, you have a wide range of indian recipes list available, helpful site – thanks
Indian Racipes
Chris
Your thai fried chicken recipe reminded me of my all-time favorite thai dish that I’ve only found in one restaurant, ever. It’s called Crispy Garlic Chicken and it’s quite famous among Seattleites. A well-rated restaurant in Seattle (called Buddha Ruksa) is the only place I’ve seen it and the locals call it “crack chicken” because its so addicting.
This is a shot in the dark but I’m wondering, with your culinary genius, you could recommend something similar to it? It’s very similar to your thai fried chicken recipe as it is pieces of chicken that have been lightly floured and fried, and then mixed in a skillet with some type of chili past. It is not sweet. It is then garnished with fried basil leaves and a few sprigs of cilantro.
If you are ever in Seattle, look it up! I made it at home once and it turned out almost identical to the restaurant version but I last the base recipe I began with and did not record my alterations to it. The second time I made it, it turned out horrible!
mandy
Tried this recipe yesterday and it was a hit. The marinate really gets into the chicken. I was not able to get the smooth texture as those in your pictures, not sure if it was because i didn’t use rice flour in the mix.
Madeleine
Can you bake the chicken?
Rasa Malaysia
You can try, but I am not sure how they will turn out without trying myself.
Scott
Take a look at She Simmers blog for a really great version of thai fried chicken – street food style. I have made it now for a number of years…looking forward to adding your Korean version to my repertoire as well
Rasa Malaysia
I have always used Chez Pim’s recipe and it tastes very good. I will check out She Simmers.
suji
wow ! This is nice fried chicken recipe. looking attractive for eating ………!!!. I think it’s too delicious.
Nancy
I’d like to make this, but there is no mention of the temperature of the oil or how long to cook the chicken. I’m afraid to overcook or undercook the chicken. Can you address this please?
Teo ai li
Hi, I am planning to make and bring the chicken wings to a beach party. Do they stay crispy for at least 2 to 3 hours? Thanks
Rasa Malaysia
Yes, I think so. :)
Davey
Dear mrs rasa some things are missing from your recipe how long do you cook the chicken legs and at what temperature these things are important when frying chicken I have fried a lot of it and I know please help btw you are beautiful.
Davey
Dear mrs rasa there are some things missing from your recipe how long do you cook the chicken and at what temperature these things are crucial when cooking chicken btw way you are a lovely young woman
Rasa Malaysia
Deep fry at 350F for about 8 minutes or until cooked through.
Julia
Wow!, I have eaten Thai fried chicken so many times, Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Rasa Malaysia
Thanks!! Thai fried chicken is great.
Taylor from On The Gas
Seriously, I got hungry while just looking at the photos. Correct, the best fried chickens are in Southeast Asia. I can’t wait to go back to Southeast Asia especially in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam for my cooking classes in these respective countries.
Gina
Hi, tfs this recipe. Can I use dried cilantro? Thanx for your response
Rasa Malaysia
You can try but dried cilantro don’t have much taste or aroma.
Fried Chicken Lover
I was a bit disappointed. It tastes like fried chicken, but the high notes of the marinade, the cilantro root, coriander and white pepper, got buried under the umami of the the oyster and fish sauce and the distinct flavor of fried flours.
Rasa Malaysia
Hi Fried Chicken Lover, even in Thailand, you don’t actually taste so much of the marinade. Yes, the fish sauce covers up the aroma, but I guarantee you even though subtle, if you just fry the chicken without those other ingredients, they WON’T taste the same!