Ping Gai (Lao Grilled Lemongrass Chicken)
Local name: ປີ້ງໄກ່
In short: Chicken marinated in lemongrass, garlic, coriander root, pepper and fish sauce, grilled until the skin is crisp and served with a lime and chili dip. It takes about 1 h 5 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Resting
- 4 h
- Total
- 1 h 5 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 440 kcal
Ping gai is Lao grilled chicken, sold from roadside grills across the country and eaten with sticky rice and a sharp dipping sauce. The marinade is a paste of lemongrass, garlic, coriander root and black pepper, balanced with fish sauce and a little palm sugar. Grilling over medium heat keeps the meat juicy while the skin browns and crisps. Serve with sticky rice, papaya salad and raw vegetables for a classic Lao meal.
Instructions
- Pound the lemongrass, garlic, coriander roots, galangal and peppercorns to a rough paste in a mortar, or blend them in a small blender.
- Stir in the fish sauce, palm sugar, oil and salt. Rub the paste all over the chicken, cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Mix the dipping sauce ingredients, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Set aside.
- Heat a grill to medium heat and oil the grate. Remove most of the marinade bits so they do not burn.
- Grill the chicken skin side down for 10 minutes, then turn and grill for 20 to 25 minutes more, turning every 5 minutes, until the skin is browned and crisp and the thickest part reaches 74°C (165°F).
- Rest the chicken for 5 minutes. Serve hot with the dipping sauce, sticky rice and raw vegetables.
Tips
- No grill? Roast the chicken on a rack at 200°C (400°F) for 40 to 45 minutes, then finish under a hot broiler for 5 minutes to crisp the skin.
- For a whole chicken, butterfly it by cutting out the backbone and flattening it. Grill it over indirect heat for 45 to 55 minutes.
Questions and answers
How long should I marinate ping gai?
At least 4 hours, and up to 24. The longer marinade gives deeper flavor, but beyond a day the texture of the meat turns softer.
Can I use chicken breast?
Yes, but it dries out faster. Use bone-in breasts, grill them over medium heat until they reach 74°C (165°F), and check them early.
What do you serve with ping gai?
Sticky rice and a papaya salad (tam mak hoong) are the classic partners, with raw cabbage, cucumber and herbs. A bowl of the lime and chili dipping sauce goes on the table.
How long does it take to make Ping Gai (Lao Grilled Lemongrass Chicken)?
About 1 h 5 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Ping Gai (Lao Grilled Lemongrass Chicken)?
About 440 kcal per serving, with 35 g of protein, 6 g of carbohydrates and 30 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 440 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 35 g |
| Carbohydrates | 6 g |
| Fat | 30 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 1900 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
