Gai tod nahm prik pao

Deep-fried chicken, or gai tod, is something of an obsession in Thailand. Sold from street carts, the chicken pieces – often wings or small drumsticks – are marinated in a mixture of spices and aromatics, and then dredged in rice flour, which lends an extra crispness, before being fried. This recipe is inspired by a dish from much-loved Sydney restaurant Chat Thai. After being fried, the gai tod is wok-tossed in a sauce of nahm prik pao, or Thai chilli paste. For ease, we’ve used chicken thigh pieces here.