Grilled Lemongrass Chicken
User Reviews
5
12 reviews
Excellent
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Prep Time
30 mins
-
Cook Time
30 mins
-
Additional Time
30 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
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Servings
4 generous
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Calories
535 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Salad, Lunch, Dinner
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Cuisine
Asian, Vietnamese
Grilled Lemongrass Chicken
Report
Grilled Lemongrass Chicken features boneless chicken thighs marinated in a mixture of fish sauce, fresh lemongrass, garlic, honey, soy sauce, and black pepper, with an optional hint of cayenne for heat. The marinade infuses the meat, making it aromatic and flavorful. Cooking on a skillet or grill develops a caramelized surface, enhancing its savory depth. This dish pairs well with nuoc cham sauce, shredded lettuce, carrot, cucumber, and rice, creating a balanced meal with bright and fresh accompaniments.
Description
Grilled Lemongrass Chicken combines the aromatic qualities of lemongrass with savory and slightly sweet marinade ingredients like fish sauce, honey, and soy sauce. The preparation involves finely mincing the white part of lemongrass or using lemongrass paste, which, together with garlic and spices, permeates the chicken thighs during marination. Sautéing or grilling the marinated chicken creates caramelization that intensifies flavor and adds a satisfying texture to the exterior.
The recipe includes a complementary nuoc cham dipping sauce, blending fish sauce, lime juice, garlic, sugar, and optional chili, which brightens and contrasts the richness of the chicken. Fresh shredded vegetables and herbs serve as accompaniments, enhancing the dish with crunch and freshness, while rice provides a neutral base to balance the flavors.
For cooking, if the chicken browns too rapidly and risks burning before cooking through, transferring it to an oven after searing ensures even cooking without drying out. This method maintains juiciness and thorough doneness.
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Ingredients
Lemongrass chicken (marinade)
- 4 tbsp fish sauce 60 mL
- 4 lemongrass white part, or 4 tbsp lemongrass paste, stalks
- 4 garlic minced, or ½ tsp garlic powder, cloves
- 3 tbsp honey 45 mL
- 1 tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 2 tbsp soy sauce 30 mL
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper optional
- 1 kg chicken thigh about 8 - 9 thighs, skinless or skin on, boneless
Nuoc cham sauce
- ½ cup water
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 3 tbsp white sugar adjust to taste
- 3 tbsp lime juice adjust to taste
- 2 garlic minced, cloves
- 1 tbsp red chili pepper finely chopped, optional, fresh
To serve
- rice of your choice
- iceberg lettuce shredded
- carrot shredded
- cucumber sliced
- cilantro optional
- peanut optional, chopped
Instructions
Lemongrass chicken
- If you're using lemongrass stalks, finely slice the white part of the lemongrass stalk and then finely mince it. The minced lemongrass will be used in the marinade.
- Mix the ingredients for the marinade in a small bowl. Whisk until everything is mixed through. If you prefer, you can add about 1 - 2 tbsp of water to adjust the consistency of the marinade to your liking.
- Place the chicken in a ziploc bag, or a large bowl or container. Pour the marinade in and toss the chicken pieces well to make sure all the chicken is well coated in the marinade.
- Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, OR for best results marinate in the fridge overnight (or up to 24 hours).
- When ready to cook, heat a non-stick skillet with a drizzle of vegetable oil, over medium heat. You can use a cast iron skillet as well, but you may need to reduce the heat slightly because the cast iron skillet retains more heat.
- OPTIONAL - When the pan is heated, pat dry the excess marinade from the chicken pieces using paper towels. This is an optional step, but helps the chicken grill and caramelize better.
- Place the chicken thighs on the heated pan, skin side down. Do not overcrowd the pan, so cook in batches.
- Cook the chicken for about 5 minutes per side, until the chicken is caramelized on both sides and is cooked through. Adjust the cook times depending on how fast the chicken is caramelizing, since the cook times will vary depending on the size of the chicken and your stove.
- Place the cooked chicken on a plate and let it rest for a few minutes.
- Slice the cooked chicken thighs, and serve with rice or noodles or a salad, with nuoc cham sauce.
Nuoc cham sauce
- Make sure to use freshly squeezed lime juice to make the nuoc cham sauce.
- Place all the ingredients in a bowl. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved through. Taste and adjust the flavor by adding more lime juice, honey, or water.
- Keep in the fridge until ready to serve.
To serve
- Serve the sliced lemongrass chicken with a salad and rice or noodles, and any other additions.
- Serve the nuoc cham on the side, so that it can be poured over the rice and salad.
- If you make this for meal prep, either pack the salad separately, OR add sauteed vegetables instead of raw vegetables/salad. Also add the nuoc cham sauce separately, since it can become bitter when heated.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes; overnight marination enhances flavor.
- If the chicken caramelizes too quickly during cooking and remains raw inside, finish cooking it in a preheated 350°F (180°C) oven for 15–20 minutes.
- Serve with nuoc cham sauce and fresh vegetables for a balanced meal.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Serving
2chicken thighs
Calories
535kcal
(27%)
Carbohydrates
22g
(7%)
Protein
43g
(86%)
Fat
42g
(65%)
Saturated Fat
11g
(55%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
245mg
(82%)
Sodium
2567mg
(107%)
Potassium
636mg
(14%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
19g
(38%)
Vitamin A
256IU
(5%)
Vitamin C
5mg
(6%)
Calcium
43mg
(4%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4generous
Amount Per Serving
Calories 535 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 2chicken thighs | |
| Calories | 535kcal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 22g | 7% |
| Protein | 43g | 86% |
| Fat | 42g | 65% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 245mg | 82% |
| Sodium | 2567mg | 107% |
| Potassium | 636mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 19g | 38% |
| Vitamin A | 256IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 43mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
12 reviews
Excellent
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