Description
This Grilled Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken recipe features tender boneless chicken thighs marinated in a fragrant blend of lemongrass, garlic, fish sauce, honey, and lime juice. Grilled to perfection, this dish offers a delightful balance of savory, sweet, and citrusy flavors, perfect for a flavorful and satisfying meal served with steamed rice or lettuce wraps.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 8 boneless chicken thighs
Lemongrass Chicken Marinade
- 1 stalk lemongrass (approx. 3 and 1/2 tablespoons, finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare Lemongrass: Cut off the root end of the lemongrass, remove the tough outer layers, then finely chop the stalk into small pieces. Smash the chopped lemongrass with the side of a knife to release its aromatic oils.
- Make Marinade: In a mixing bowl, combine the minced lemongrass, garlic, fish sauce, soy sauce, honey, lime juice, vegetable oil, ground black pepper, and salt, stirring well to make a fragrant marinade.
- Marinate Chicken: Add the boneless chicken thighs to the marinade, making sure each piece is thoroughly coated with the mixture for maximum flavor infusion.
- Refrigerate: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the chicken for at least 1 hour to let the flavors develop fully; marinating overnight is ideal for an even more intense taste.
- Preheat Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the marinated chicken.
- Grill Chicken: Place the marinated chicken thighs on the grill and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is fully cooked and nicely charred on the outside.
- Rest Chicken: Remove the grilled chicken from heat and let it rest for a few minutes to allow the juices to redistribute within the meat.
- Serve: Serve the grilled lemongrass chicken hot, paired with steamed rice or wrapped in fresh lettuce leaves for a delicious Vietnamese-inspired meal.
Notes
- For best results, marinate the chicken overnight to deepen the flavors.
- Make sure the grill is adequately preheated to achieve a good sear and prevent sticking.
- You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts if preferred, but thighs offer more juiciness.
- Adjust the honey and lime juice quantities to taste for a sweeter or tangier marinade.
- Serve wrapped in lettuce with fresh herbs such as mint or cilantro for an authentic Vietnamese experience.
