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Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Recipe

Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Recipe
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★★★★★

4.7 from 8 reviews

Experience succulent chicken thighs marinated in fragrant lemongrass, garlic, and fish sauce, seared to caramelized perfection. This Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken is a flavorful, aromatic dinner option that pairs beautifully with jasmine rice or noodles, offering a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and spicy notes.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Marinade

  • 3 stalks fresh lemongrass, trimmed and finely minced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 shallots, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)

Garnish

  • Fresh cilantro
  • Lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Prepare Chicken: Begin by preparing the chicken thighs. You can cut them into bite-sized pieces or leave them whole depending on your preference to ensure even cooking and ease of eating.
  2. Make the Marinade: In a large bowl, combine the minced lemongrass, garlic, shallots, fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, black pepper, and red chili flakes. Mix well to create a fragrant and flavorful marinade.
  3. Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are thoroughly coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, ideally up to 2 hours for deeper infusion of flavors.
  4. Heat Oil: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering and hot enough to sizzle the chicken when added.
  5. Cook Chicken: Add the marinated chicken to the skillet in a single layer. Cook without stirring for about 4-5 minutes to develop a caramelized crust on one side.
  6. Flip and Finish Cooking: Flip the chicken pieces and continue to cook for another 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chicken is cooked through and beautifully caramelized.
  7. Serve and Garnish: Remove from heat, garnish with fresh cilantro, and serve with lime wedges on the side. This dish pairs wonderfully with jasmine rice or rice noodles for a complete meal.

Notes

  • For added heat, increase the amount of red chili flakes according to your spice preference.
  • Using chicken thighs ensures moist and flavorful meat, but you can substitute with chicken breast for a leaner option.
  • Marinating longer enhances flavor but do not exceed 4 hours to avoid texture changes in the chicken.
  • If fresh lemongrass is unavailable, use 1 tablespoon of lemongrass paste as a substitute.
  • Serve immediately for best texture and flavor; leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken, lemongrass chicken recipe, easy Vietnamese dinner, chicken thighs recipe, caramelized chicken, Asian chicken recipe

Find it online: https://leofoster.com/vietnamese-lemongrass-chicken-recipe/