Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken

Ingredients

• 4 medium chicken thighs (Use 3–4 medium thighs; boneless or bone-in may be used, adjusting cooking time as needed.)
• 5 tbsp grated lemongrass
• 3 tbsp fish sauce (For the chicken marinade.)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce (For the chicken marinade.)
• 1 tbsp dark soy sauce (For the chicken marinade.)
• 1 lime juice (Juice of 1 lime.)
• 1.5 tbsp honey (For the chicken marinade.)
• 100 ml water (For the dipping sauce.)
• 1.5 tbsp fish sauce (For the dipping sauce.)
• 1 tbsp white sugar (For the dipping sauce.)
• 1.5 tsp garlic (Finely chopped; for the dipping sauce.)
• 2 Bird's Eye chillies (Chopped; for the dipping sauce.)

Steps

1. 1

   Place the chicken thighs in a bowl or shallow dish. Add the grated lemongrass, fish sauce, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, lime juice, and honey. Turn the chicken thoroughly so every piece is coated with the marinade.

2. 2

   Marinate the chicken for as long or as little as desired. A longer marinating time gives the chicken slightly better flavor; refrigerate it while it marinates.

3. 3

   Heat a lightly oiled frying pan over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken thighs, allowing excess marinade to drip off before placing them in the pan.

4. 4

   Cook the chicken for about 5 minutes on the first side, until browned and beginning to cook through.

5. 5

   Turn the chicken and cook for about 5 minutes on the second side. Continue until the thighs are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C); thicker or bone-in thighs may need additional time.

6. 6

   While the chicken cooks, prepare the dipping sauce. Stir together the water, fish sauce, and white sugar until the sugar dissolves.

7. 7

   Add the finely chopped garlic and chopped Bird's Eye chillies to the sauce, then stir to distribute them evenly.

8. 8

   Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and let it rest briefly before slicing. This helps the juices settle.

9. 9

   Slice the rested chicken and serve with the dipping sauce. Jasmine rice and broccolini are suggested accompaniments.

Notes

Serve with jasmine rice and broccolini, as suggested by the author. Marinating longer improves the flavor. Chicken should be fully cooked before serving.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• Vietnamese-inspired
• pan-fried
• quick dinner
• high-protein
• spicy
• sweet-savory
• 30-minute meal