Description
A flavorful Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken recipe featuring tender chicken thighs marinated in aromatic lemongrass, garlic, and spices, seared to perfection, then finished in the oven for a juicy and savory dish perfect for serving with steamed rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Marinade
- 2 stalks lemongrass, tender white parts finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 shallot, minced
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Cooking
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken after searing.
- Prepare Lemongrass: Trim off the tough ends and outer layers of the lemongrass stalks, then finely chop the tender white parts for the marinade.
- Mince Garlic and Shallot: Mince the garlic cloves and shallot finely to blend into the marinade.
- Make Marinade: In a bowl, combine the chopped lemongrass, minced garlic, minced shallot, fish sauce, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Marinate Chicken: Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and add them to the marinade. Mix well to coat all pieces thoroughly.
- Refrigerate: Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight for deeper flavor.
- Heat Oil in Skillet: Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, prepping for searing the marinated chicken.
- Sear Chicken: Add the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer to the skillet. Cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Sear for 2-3 minutes per side until browned.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Once seared, transfer the chicken pieces to a baking dish evenly.
- Bake Chicken: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Serve: Serve the Vietnamese lemongrass chicken hot, ideally with steamed rice and freshly sliced green onions and cilantro garnish. Enjoy your meal!
Notes
- Marinating overnight intensifies the flavors significantly.
- Use chicken thighs for juiciness and flavor; chicken breasts can be used but may be less tender.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
- Serve with steamed jasmine rice or vermicelli noodles for authentic texture.
