Appetizer · Snack · Thai ·

Herbal Thai Pandan Chicken Skewers with Sweet Tamarind Sauce

Name: Herbal Thai Pandan Chicken Skewers with Sweet Tamarind Sauce
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 105 min
Total time: 140 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Appetizer
Ingredients: 500g boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1-inch piece of ginger, grated; 1 tablespoon fish sauce; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1 tablespoon lime juice; 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 1 teaspoon ground coriander; 1 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped; 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped; 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped; 12 pandan leaves, washed and dried; 3 tablespoons tamarind paste; 2 tablespoons palm sugar, or brown sugar; 2 tablespoons water; 1 tablespoon fish sauce; Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes; Sliced cucumber; Lime wedges

Delight in the aromatic symphony of herbal chicken skewers accompanied by a unique sweet and tangy tamarind sauce.

4.6(83 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·November 16, 2025

Herbal Thai Pandan Chicken Skewers with Sweet Tamarind Sauce — Appetizer served and photographed from above

Prep

35 min

Cook

1 h 45 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Chicken Marinade

For the Herb Mix

For the Sweet Tamarind Sauce

For the Serving

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 341 kcal
Protein: 28.7 g
Carbs: 15.3 g
Fat: 17.6 g
Fiber: 1.5 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1362 kcal
Protein: 114.8 g
Carbs: 61.3 g
Fat: 70.3 g
Fiber: 5.9 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
500g boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces	1100	110	0	70	0
3 cloves garlic minced	15	0.6	3	0	0.2
1-inch piece of ginger grated	5	0.1	1	0	0.2
1 tablespoon fish sauce	5	1	0	0	0
1 tablespoon soy sauce	10	1	1	0	0
1 tablespoon lime juice	4	0	1	0	0.1
1 tablespoon brown sugar	50	0	13	0	0
1 teaspoon ground coriander	5	0.2	1	0	0.6
1 teaspoon ground black pepper	5	0.2	1	0.2	1
1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped	1	0.1	0.2	0	0.1
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves chopped	4	0.3	0.9	0	0.8
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves chopped	1	0.3	0.2	0	0.3
12 pandan leaves washed and dried	5	0.1	1	0	1
3 tablespoons tamarind paste	45	0.5	12	0.1	0.7
2 tablespoons palm sugar or brown sugar	90	0	24	0	0
2 tablespoons water	0	0	0	0	0
1 tablespoon fish sauce	5	1	0	0	0
Wooden skewers soaked in water for 30 minutes	0	0	0	0	0
Sliced cucumber	8	0.3	1.8	0	0.5
Lime wedges	4	0.1	1.2	0	0.4

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Chicken

1
Combine Marinade Ingredients
Combine garlic, ginger, fish sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, coriander, and black pepper in a bowl.
2
Add Chicken
Add chicken pieces and mix well to coat each piece.
3
Refrigerate
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight for best results.
Tip: For extra tenderness, marinate overnight.

Preparing the Herb Mix and Skewers

1
Mix Herbs
Mix chopped cilantro, mint, and basil in a separate bowl.
2
Wrap Chicken
Take a pandan leaf and wrap a marinated chicken piece, securing with a skewer.
Tip: Ensure the pandan leaves are securely wrapped to prevent the chicken from falling during grilling.
3
Repeat
Repeat with remaining chicken and pandan leaves.
Tip: If pandan leaves are unavailable, banana leaves are a good substitute.

How to Make Herbal Thai Pandan Chicken Skewers with Sweet Tamarind Sauce

Total time: 2 h 20 min · Yields 4 servings

1
Grill Skewers
Preheat your grill to medium heat and grill the skewers, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the leaves are slightly charred.
2
Prepare Tamarind Sauce
Combine tamarind paste, palm sugar, water, and fish sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens slightly.
3
Serve Dish
Arrange skewers on a platter with sliced cucumber and lime wedges, and serve with the tamarind sauce on the side.