Description
Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken is a quick and easy dish packed with bold, authentic flavors. Marinated in lemongrass, garlic, and fish sauce, then grilled or pan-seared to perfection, this dish pairs beautifully with rice, noodles, or fresh vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
- 2 stalks lemongrass (white parts finely minced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 small shallot (minced)
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (or honey)
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp neutral oil (vegetable or canola)
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)
- 1 tbsp water
For Garnish (Optional):
- Chopped cilantro
- Sliced green onions
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade:
- In a bowl, mix minced lemongrass, garlic, shallot, fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, oil, black pepper, and chili flakes.
- Add a tablespoon of water to help blend the flavors.
- Marinate the Chicken:
- Place the chicken in a large bowl or ziplock bag.
- Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated.
- Cover and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for deeper flavor).
- Cook the Chicken:
Option 1: Pan-Frying- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a small amount of oil.
- Cook the chicken for about 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
Option 2: Grilling
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, until nicely charred and fully cooked.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Let the chicken rest for a couple of minutes before slicing.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and green onions.
- Serve with steamed rice, vermicelli noodles, or fresh vegetables.
Notes
- Spicy Lemongrass Chicken: Add extra chili flakes or a teaspoon of sriracha.
- Baked Lemongrass Chicken: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes.
- Coconut Lemongrass Chicken: Add 1/4 cup coconut milk to the marinade.
- Vegan Option: Substitute tofu for chicken and adjust cooking time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- marinate time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: pan-fry , grill
- Cuisine: vitnamese
Keywords: Vietnamese lemongrass chicken, lemongrass marinade, grilled chicken, Vietnamese recipes, easy chicken recipes