Description
Savor succulent Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken, where zesty citrus notes dance with fragrant herbs in a symphony of Southeast Asian flavors. Tender marinated chicken promises a delightful culinary journey you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds (0.9 kilograms) chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
- 1 stalk lemongrass, finely chopped
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 teaspoons chili flakes (optional)
Cooking Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Fresh cilantro leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Create a vibrant marinade by blending aromatic lemongrass, minced garlic, pungent fish sauce, savory soy sauce, granulated sugar, zesty lime juice, and optional chili flakes in a mixing vessel.
- Thoroughly coat chicken thighs in the marinade, ensuring each piece is generously covered. Allow flavors to penetrate for minimum 30 minutes, or ideally refrigerate overnight for maximum taste infusion.
- Preheat grill pan or barbecue to medium-high temperature, approximately 400°F, with a light coating of vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
- Carefully place marinated chicken onto hot cooking surface, grilling each side for 6-7 minutes. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F and distinctive char marks develop.
- Once fully cooked, transfer chicken to serving platter and elegantly scatter fresh cilantro leaves across the top for a burst of herbaceous freshness and visual appeal.
Notes
- Marinate chicken overnight for deeper, more intense flavor infusion that penetrates every fiber of the meat.
- Swap chicken thighs with chicken breasts for a leaner protein option, but reduce cooking time to prevent drying out.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked results without guesswork.
- For gluten-free adaptation, replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to maintain the delicious umami profile while meeting dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg