Besides stunning scenery and rich culture, Vietnam attracts visitors with a varied and flavorful cuisine. Vietnamese chicken dishes play a crucial role in the nation's culinary landscape, with chicken being a staple in both everyday meals and special gatherings. Notably, Vietnamese lemongrass chicken has emerged as a cherished favorite.
1. Classic Vietnamese lemongrass chicken recipe that everyone will love
1.1. Ingredients
The tasty Vietnamese lemongrass chicken recipe uses easily accessible ingredients:
- 500 grams of chicken for 4 servings, preferably boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 large stalks of lemongrass
- 2 teaspoons of fish sauce
- Garlic and shallot
- 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of lime juice, 1 teaspoon of soy sauce, and 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil
1.2. Instructions
Step 1: Make the marinade
- Grind or finely dice the garlic, shallot, and lemongrass.
- Combine half of the minced lemongrass, garlic, and shallot with the brown sugar, lime juice, and soy sauce in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly.
Step 2: Marinate the chicken
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Mix the chicken with the marinade until evenly coated.
- Let the chicken rest for about 30 minutes.
Step 3: Cook
- Heat the vegetable oil in a wok over high heat.
- Stir-fry the remaining half of lemongrass, garlic, and shallot for a minute.
- Add the chicken and toss everything together.
- Put a touch of seasoning into the mixture and stir until it begins to brown and is completely cooked.
2. What pairs well with Vietnamese lemongrass chicken?
Vietnamese lemongrass chicken, with its delicious combination of savory chicken and aromatic lemongrass, pairs perfectly with bread, rice, or vermicelli. Additionally, it will make a delightful complement to Vietnamese chicken noodle salad. You can refer to the following recipe for making Vietnamese lemongrass chicken salad with noodles.
Ingredients for 4 servings:
- 500 grams of chicken
- 2 stalks of lemongrass
- 1 kilogram of vermicelli
- Vegetables: lettuce, pickled carrots, pickled daikon, sliced cucumbers, bean sprouts
- Crushed roasted peanuts
- Herbs: coriander, mint, perilla, Thai basil
- 1 teaspoon of salt, 2 teaspoons of fish sauce, 1 teaspoon of sugar, 1 teaspoon of lime juice, 1 teaspoon of soy sauce, 2 chilies, garlic
Instructions:
- Step 1: Wash the vegetables and herbs thoroughly. Finely chop them into small pieces.
- Step 2: Cook the vermicelli. Drain and rinse under cold running water.
- Step 3: Prepare the chicken as instructed in the above-mentioned section.
- Step 4: Make the dressing by mixing minced garlic, chili, fish sauce, water, and lime juice.
- Step 5: Mix the cooked chicken, vermicelli, vegetables, and herbs together. Drizzle the dressing over and toss the mixture evenly.
- Step 6: Sprinkle crushed roasted peanuts on top.
3. Tasty variations of Vietnamese lemongrass chicken
Among various famous Vietnamese foods, chicken-based dishes are widely cherished. Some delicious Vietnamese lemongrass chicken variations include Vietnamese grilled lemongrass chicken, Vietnamese lemongrass chicken curry, Vietnamese braised lemongrass chicken, and Vietnamese lemongrass and chili chicken. Here are a few Vietnamese lemongrass chicken recipes for your reference.
3.1. Vietnamese lemongrass chicken with ginger and turmeric
Ingredients:
- 500 grams of boneless chicken thighs
- 2 stalks of lemongrass
- Onions, ginger, turmeric, garlic
- 2 teaspoons of olive oil
- Seasonings: salt, fish sauce, ground pepper
Instructions:
- Step 1: Peel and finely chop the onions, garlic, ginger, and lemongrass.
- Step 2: Dice the chicken thighs.
- Step 3: Heat a medium-sized pan with olive oil on medium heat. Add the lemongrass, ginger, turmeric, and garlic. Cook for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add the chicken and stir through.
- Step 5: Put a bit of seasoning into the mixture and stir through.
- Step 6: Simmer for 10 minutes.
3.2. Vietnamese spicy lemongrass chicken
Ingredients:
- 500 grams of chicken
- 2 stalks of lemongrass
- 2 teaspoons of fish sauce, 1 teaspoon of salt, 2 teaspoons of sugar, 2 teaspoons of lime juice, 125ml of chicken stock, 2 teaspoons of cooking oil
- Chilies, garlic, onions
Instructions:
- Step 1: Finely chop the lemongrass. Mix with fish sauce, sugar, chilies, garlic, and chicken in a bowl.
- Step 2: Marinate for at least four hours or overnight in the fridge.
- Step 3: Heat cooking oil in a wide saucepan, then cook the chicken until well-colored on all sides.
- Step 4: Add chilies, lemongrass, and onions. Stir-fry.
- Step 5: Pour in the chicken stock. Cook until the chicken absorbs the sauce and firms up.
- Step 6: Adjust the seasoning. Balance with lime juice and sugar.
>>> Check out Vietnamese fish dishes, Vietnamese pork dishes, and Vietnamese beef dishes also!
3.3. Vietnamese lemongrass chicken curry
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- Minced lemongrass
- 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
- 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, 1 teaspoon of salt, 2 tablespoons of curry powder, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, 1 tablespoon of chopped cilantro
Instructions:
- Step 1: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the lemongrass until fragrant.
- Step 2: Place the chicken into the skillet. Cook and stir until the chicken turns brown.
- Step 3: Add water, fish sauce, salt, and curry powder. Simmer for 10 - 15 minutes.
- Step 4: Mix cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of curry sauce until smooth in a small bowl. Stir the cornstarch mixture into the skillet.
- Step 5: Simmer until the sauce thickens.
- Step 6: Garnish with cilantro before serving.
3.4. Vietnamese braised lemongrass chicken
Ingredients:
- Chicken thighs
- Lemongrass
- 2 teaspoons of cooking oil, 2 teaspoons of soy sauce, 1 cup of water, 2 teaspoons of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt
- Minced garlic, chilies, ground pepper, cilantro, sliced scallions
- 1 teaspoon of ground turmeric, 1 teaspoon of cornstarch, 1 teaspoon of lime juice, 2 teaspoons of fish sauce
Instructions:
- Step 1: Clean the chicken and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Marinate with lemongrass, chili, turmeric powder, salt, sugar, fish sauce, and soy sauce. Let it marinate for 2 hours for the chicken to absorb the flavors.
- Step 2: Heat oil in a wok over medium heat. Add garlic, chilies, and turmeric. Stir until fragrant.
- Step 3: Put the chicken into the wok and stir-fry until the chicken is cooked. Add lemongrass, chicken broth, soy sauce, sugar, and water. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water. Whisk the cornstarch mixture into the braising liquid, simmer, and cook until slightly thickened.
- Step 5: Turn off the heat. Stir in lime juice and fish sauce. Season with pepper to taste.
- Step 6: Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.
Besides Vietnamese lemongrass chicken, there are numerous other local dishes that you must try to enrich your Vietnam travel experience! Some noteworthy examples include pho, bun ca, bun dau mam tom, banh xeo, hu tieu, cha ca, com nieu, etc.
In addition to flavorful cuisine, Vietnam is home to stunning tourist destinations such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Hoi An, Ha Long, and more. Visiting these remarkable destinations is sure to elevate your travel experience to new heights.
In Vietnam, you can unwind and relax at the exceptional hotels and resorts of Vinpearl. Situated in prime locations throughout Vietnam, Vinpearl offers impeccable services with unrivaled comfort. Furthermore, make sure to explore VinWonders, an entertainment haven where you can immerse yourself in engaging games, remarkable performances, and vibrant cultural events set amidst a lively carnival atmosphere.
>>> Book rooms in Vinpearl Phu Quoc, Vinpearl Nha Trang, Vinpearl Resort & Golf Nam Hoi An, Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long to discover Vietnam's stunning nature!
Vietnamese lemongrass chicken is a delicious dish that embodies the flavors of Vietnamese cuisine. With the combination of tender chicken and refreshing lemongrass, this delight offers a perfect balance of textures and tastes. It is a satisfying must-try dish for those seeking a culinary adventure in Vietnam.
