Description
Lemongrass chicken brings Vietnamese culinary magic to home kitchens with marinated, char-grilled perfection. Fragrant herbs and caramelized edges create a delicious experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 boneless chicken thighs
- 1.5 tbsps fish sauce
- 1.5 tbsps dark soy sauce
- 1 stalk lemongrass (approximately 3.5 tbsps)
- 4 cloves garlic (approximately 2 tbsps)
- 2 tbsps sugar
- 1 shallot (approximately 2 tbsps)
- 2 tbsps water
- 2 tbsps fresh lime juice (approximately 1 lime)
- 2.5 tbsps sugar
- 6 tbsps hot water
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tbsps fish sauce
- grated carrots
- 1 birds eye chili pepper
Instructions
- Preparation: Finely mince lemongrass, garlic, and shallots to release their aromatic essence and maximize flavor potential.
- Marinade Creation: Blend chopped aromatics with fish sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, and water, whisking until ingredients form a harmonious mixture.
- Marinating Process: Immerse chicken thighs completely in the marinade, ensuring thorough coating. Rest for 30 minutes at room temperature or refrigerate overnight for intensified flavor profile.
- Grill Preparation: Heat grill to medium temperature (350-400°F), meticulously cleaning grates and lightly brushing with oil to prevent sticking.
- Grilling Technique: Drain chicken, pat dry to minimize potential flare-ups. Position thighs skin-side down, allowing direct heat to crisp exterior and render fat.
- Cooking Progression: Grill for 12-15 minutes, rotating periodically to achieve uniform caramelization and prevent charring. Verify internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- Nuoc Cham Preparation: Craft dipping sauce by combining lime juice, hot water, sugar, fish sauce, and optional chili or garlic, whisking until sugar completely dissolves.
- Finishing Touch: Allow grilled chicken to rest 5-7 minutes, enabling juice redistribution. Slice against the grain for optimal tenderness.
- Serving: Present lemongrass chicken alongside vermicelli noodles or jasmine rice, garnishing with fresh herbs and accompanying nuoc cham sauce.
Notes
- Maximize Flavor Intensity: Mince lemongrass, garlic, and shallots ultra-fine to release maximum aromatic compounds and ensure deep, layered taste profiles.
- Marination Magic: Refrigerate overnight for profound flavor infusion, allowing chicken to absorb complex Vietnamese seasoning nuances.
- Grill Like a Pro: Clean and oil grates before cooking to prevent sticking and achieve perfect caramelized exterior without burning delicate meat.
- Rest and Redistribute: Allow grilled chicken to rest 5-7 minutes, enabling internal juices to redistribute, resulting in supremely tender and succulent meat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg