Food

Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken

June 3, 2016

Ingredients

  • 1 ¾ pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, or chicken tenders
  • 2 lemongrass stalks
  • ¼ cup fish sauce
  • 4 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 2 ½ tablespoons superfine sugar, to taste
  • 2 red chilles, halved, seeded, and shredded, divided
  • 2 tablespoons peanut or sunflower oil (or other oil of your choice)
  • 1 onion, halved, cut into slim crescent moon-shaped slices
  • ½ cup chicken stock
  • Juice of ½ to 1 lime, plus extra if needed
  • 2 tablespoons purple amaranth or cilantro leaves, to serve
  • ½ tablespoon lightly toasted sesame seeds, to serve

Instructions

  1. Trim any fat from the thighs and cut the flesh into bite-sized pieces. Remove the tough outer layers of the lemongrass and trim the top and base. Mince the rest—the softer part of the lemongrass—as finely as you can.
  2. Put half of the minced lemongrass into a bowl with the fish sauce, garlic, sugar, half of the chiles, and the chopped chicken.
  3. Mix together with your hands, cover with plastic wrap, and put into the fridge.
  4. Let marinate for at least 4 hours; overnight is even better. Bring the chicken to room temperature before cooking.
  5. Heat the oil in a wide-based saucepan or a wok set over medium heat.
  6. Add the chicken and cook on all sides, getting a really good color all over it.
  7. Add the reserved chiles, reserved lemongrass, and the onion and stir-fry until the onion starts to soften. Be careful not to burn the chiles or the lemongrass.
  8. Pour in the stock, reduce the heat, and cover.
  9. Cook the chicken for about 5 minutes.
  10. Remove the lid, increase the heat, and continue to cook until the liquid is reduced.
  11. You want a mixture that is wetter than a stir-fry but drier than a braise.
  12. Add lime juice to taste, then check for seasoning and sweet-sour balance, adjusting with sugar and lime.
  13. Scatter with the amaranth or cilantro leaves and sesame seeds, if using, and serve with brown rice and stir-fried greens.

Credit: Recipe from A BIRD IN THE HAND: Diana Henry

67 Comments

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67 Comments

  • Reply Aria on June 3, 2016 says;

    Awesome recipe P. Thank you. Its a good week end special

  • Reply Nadine Rodriguez on June 3, 2016 says;

    That looks lovely. My husband would love it…he is big on asian flavors!

  • Reply blossom on June 3, 2016 says;

    Your blog makes me hungry at the most inopportune hours! I could happily eat a bowlful of this right now…

  • Reply Agnus D on June 3, 2016 says;

    That sounds incredible, I am saving the recipe, and am going to try it later this week!

  • Reply Abbie Haynes on June 3, 2016 says;

    Can I have a bowl of rice please! 😀

  • Reply Olivia on June 3, 2016 says;

    I’d invite myself over everyday when you need to clear your fridge! Love your Lemongrass chicken 🙂

  • Reply Wendy R. on June 3, 2016 says;

    Hi, it sounds so good that I will try this recipe this week, that’s for sure!

  • Reply Ambrosini Ami on June 3, 2016 says;

    that sounds absoulety delicious. something for the weekend

  • Reply Daniella S on June 3, 2016 says;

    I can’t wait to try this tonight. Thanks!

  • Reply Orlene on June 3, 2016 says;

    A friend just harvested some lemongrass from her garden, and I’ve been making a list of recipes that use it. I’ll definitely try this one!

  • Reply Malvika Jaswal on June 3, 2016 says;

    I am for sure going to try this recipe.

  • Reply Jammie de la Cuesta on June 3, 2016 says;

    Wonderful! I love lemon grass chicken so I guess I know what I’ll be making soon!

  • Reply Peggy on June 3, 2016 says;

    This looks really really good. I’ve never cooked with lemongrass, but I love it’s flavor.

  • Reply Jasmine on June 3, 2016 says;

    Perfect! This is what I’ll make for dinner tonight 🙂

  • Reply Leela Harris on June 3, 2016 says;

    I love the flavor of lemongrass. This is one I’m definitely going ot try!

  • Reply febinna on June 3, 2016 says;

    This sounds and looks wonderful!

  • Reply Gayatri Sriram on June 3, 2016 says;

    looks absolutely delish! ur blog inspires me to cook! will try this recipe over the weekend.

  • Reply Ursula on June 3, 2016 says;

    Love all your work. Excellent recipes in here! Thanks

  • Reply ecoNugenics on June 3, 2016 says;

    Wooo… I simply love lemongrass in anything. Yummy

  • Reply Puja Santosh on June 3, 2016 says;

    Aiyoh…one of my fave Viet dishes! 😀

  • Reply Wang on June 3, 2016 says;

    The recipe is great! This sounds simple too 🙂

  • Reply Kamani Malhotra on June 3, 2016 says;

    Sounds tasty. Now if only it wasn’t so hard to find lemongrass.

  • Reply Beth Terrence on June 3, 2016 says;

    Delicious recipe. Everything that I like is in it. Lemongrass, such a lovely ingredient. 🙂

  • Reply Harshiita Sharma on June 3, 2016 says;

    another gorgeous looking dish.

  • Reply Tamika on June 3, 2016 says;

    thanks for the awesome posts and recipes – you keep me Asian, woman 🙂

  • Reply Carlene V on June 3, 2016 says;

    yummy indeed

  • Reply Valentina Rockwell on June 3, 2016 says;

    looks yum!!..i want to try this..

  • Reply Pinky on June 3, 2016 says;

    Wow, another post that makes me drool! 😉

  • Reply Zoe on June 3, 2016 says;

    Lemongrass Chicken – It’s just one of those things you KNOW you’ll love.

  • Reply Sanjeeta kk on June 3, 2016 says;

    This sounds delicious! I think I will have to make it this week. 🙂

  • Reply Imogen Bermingham on June 3, 2016 says;

    That sounds sooooo good! Love things that are both sweet and spicy 🙂 Love lemongrass too!

  • Reply Jessica Grant on June 3, 2016 says;

    got no words to say, except that i am just can resist tryin it out myself…

  • Reply Eliska on June 3, 2016 says;

    Oh, I love Vietnamese recipes!

  • Reply Deborah on June 3, 2016 says;

    WOW this chicken must taste very delicous! I don’t mind eating chicken everyday.

  • Reply Kamille Poire on June 3, 2016 says;

    I’ll be making it often – thank you!

  • Reply Anetta on June 3, 2016 says;

    I like to cook with lemon grass a lot – This one I must try. Thanks.

  • Reply Alma on June 3, 2016 says;

    هذا هو جدا رائع جدا! سوف أكون تحاول بها في نهاية هذا الاسبوع. شكرا جزيلا على مجموعة متنوعة أخرى لك 🙂

  • Reply Shannon on June 3, 2016 says;

    I was searching for recipes to use up my leftover lemongrss and this just might be it! Thanks 🙂

  • Reply Nichole on June 3, 2016 says;

    will try it this weekend

  • Reply Laura on June 3, 2016 says;

    Thank you for posting this lemongrass chicken recipe. My partner loves this dish.

  • Reply Dipti on June 3, 2016 says;

    it sound so delicious! u make up my day:)

  • Reply Oksana Gorovaya on June 3, 2016 says;

    vietnamese lemongrass chicken is a favourite in our house. this is going to rock this weekend 😀

  • Reply Vani Arun on June 3, 2016 says;

    Definitely will be making 🙂

  • Reply Rain77 on June 3, 2016 says;

    Love to try this tonight 🙂 You are awesome!!!

  • Reply Anu S. Varsha on June 3, 2016 says;

    I really enjoy your blog and have tried many other recipes, thank for sharing. Happy cooking. 🙂

  • Reply Manjula Srinath on June 3, 2016 says;

    Hi, I’m new to cooking and would love to try this recipe.

  • Reply Leslie Fennell on June 3, 2016 says;

    wow!!!
    i just love this!!
    thanks for recipe!! 🙂

  • Reply Fe van dam on June 3, 2016 says;

    Wondering if you have a store or something? Or a restaurant?
    Your blog is amazing!

  • Reply Shailaja Ramesh on June 3, 2016 says;

    hi…I’m from India,Hyderabad. Thank you for recipe!

  • Reply Kato on June 3, 2016 says;

    Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe.

  • Reply Ke Ke on June 3, 2016 says;

    This is a great recipe and was very easy to follow despite my inept cooking ability. Thanks and kudos!

  • Reply Quintana on June 3, 2016 says;

    Thanks for posting, I cook it unperfectly but still taste good 😀

  • Reply Madhurima Dhankumari on June 3, 2016 says;

    good i like this so am using this recipes in my restaurant in nepal

  • Reply Rejie Camano Gelera on June 3, 2016 says;

    Looks really delicious. Great recipe!!

  • Reply Gwen on June 3, 2016 says;

    Thanks for the recipe for the LemonGrass Chicken! 🙂 I love it!

  • Reply Vera Gottlieb on June 3, 2016 says;

    I love lemongrass in many dishes, it really brings out a very nice and light fragrent to any dish.

  • Reply Peldyn on June 3, 2016 says;

    Thanks for sharing this great recipe.

  • Reply Marine Gougeon on June 3, 2016 says;

    This recipe is amazing! I can keep making it and I simply can’t get enough.

  • Reply Prabha on June 3, 2016 says;

    I love this dish and your page. Thanks so much!

  • Reply Thelma J. Godfrey on June 3, 2016 says;

    we have just cooked this recipe, it is amazing..we have decided to try a few other recipes from your site.
    thank you 🙂 You are awesome

  • Reply Biyu Bo Changchang on June 3, 2016 says;

    Hi, I really like your recipe and I will tried it. Takes time for week end going to prepare!

  • Reply Rita on June 3, 2016 says;

    Thank you for this delicious recipe.

  • Reply Isabella on June 3, 2016 says;

    This recipe is AMAZING!

  • Reply Deepshikha Goswami on June 3, 2016 says;

    I’ve been cooking for years, and I am embarrassed to admit I’ve never worked with lemongrass. This recipe is awesome, and instructions are really easy to follow.

  • Reply Serina on June 3, 2016 says;

    A very enjoyable dish. Thanks so much for posting 🙂

  • Reply Emma Brown on June 3, 2016 says;

    A fantastic recipe! Cannot complain 🙂

  • Reply farnoosh on June 3, 2016 says;

    Love your blog P. Cannot thank you enough for your recipes. These keep me going when I run out of dishes 🙂
    Thank you so much.

    • Leave a Reply to Thelma J. Godfrey Cancel Reply