Grilled Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Recipe

Zesty Grilled Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Recipe for Summer

Summer nights call for vibrant lemongrass chicken that dances with zesty Southeast Asian flavors.

Fragrant herbs and bright marinades transform simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Marinating transforms chicken into a celebration of vietnamese culinary traditions.

Crisp charred edges and tender meat create a perfect balance of textures.

Grilling brings out complex layers of citrusy, spicy notes that make your taste buds sing.

You can easily recreate this restaurant-quality dish at home with just a few simple ingredients.

Let’s unlock the secrets of this mouthwatering recipe that promises to become your new favorite summer meal.

Why Grilled Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Is a Favorite

  • Burst with Exotic Flavors: Dive into a culinary adventure with lemongrass, garlic, and fish sauce creating an explosion of Vietnamese-inspired taste sensations.
  • Grill Master's Dream: Perfect for outdoor cooking enthusiasts who love transforming simple chicken thighs into a mouthwatering main course with beautiful char marks.
  • Quick Weeknight Wonder: Minimal prep and straightforward cooking make this recipe a champion for busy home cooks wanting restaurant-quality meals without complicated techniques.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Adaptable dish that works brilliantly for casual family dinners, weekend barbecues, or impressing dinner guests with minimal kitchen stress.

Ingredients for Grilled Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken

Main Protein:
  • Chicken Thighs: Juicy and flavorful cut of meat that absorbs the marinade perfectly.
Marinade Ingredients:
  • Lemongrass, Garlic, Shallot: Aromatic base that creates a fragrant and complex flavor profile.
  • Fish Sauce: Adds deep umami and saltiness to the marinade.
  • Dark Soy Sauce: Provides rich color and depth of flavor to the chicken.
  • Sugar: Balances the savory elements and helps with caramelization.
  • Water: Helps to distribute the marinade ingredients evenly.
Dipping Sauce Ingredients:
  • Lime Juice: Adds bright, citrusy acidity to the sauce.
  • Hot Water: Helps dissolve the sugar and blend the sauce ingredients.
  • Fish Sauce: Provides a salty and savory base for the dipping sauce.
  • Sugar: Creates a balanced sweet and tangy flavor.
  • Optional Ingredients: Allows for personal customization of the dipping sauce.
Serving Suggestions:
  • Vermicelli Noodles or Rice: Perfect base for serving the grilled chicken.
  • Vegetables: Adds freshness and nutritional balance to the meal.

How to Make Grilled Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken

Step 1: Create Flavor-Packed Marinade

Finely chop the lemongrass, garlic, and shallot into tiny pieces. Combine these aromatic ingredients in a mixing bowl with:
  • Fish sauce
  • Dark soy sauce
  • Sugar
  • Water

Thoroughly mix the ingredients until well blended. Add chicken thighs and let them soak up the marinade for 30 minutes at room temperature or refrigerate overnight for deeper flavor infusion.

Step 2: Fire Up the Grill

Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess liquid drip off. Lightly brush the grill grates with oil to prevent sticking. Place chicken on the grill, starting with the skin side down. Cook over medium heat for 12-15 minutes, rotating occasionally to ensure even cooking and beautiful golden-brown marks.

Step 3: Whip Up Zesty Nuoc Cham Sauce

In a small bowl, blend:
  • Fresh lime juice
  • Hot water
  • Sugar
  • Fish sauce

Optional additions like minced chili or garlic can elevate the sauce. Stir until the sugar completely dissolves, creating a tangy and sweet dipping sauce.

Step 4: Plate and Savor

Let the grilled chicken rest for a few minutes to lock in juices. Slice the chicken and arrange on a bed of vermicelli noodles or steamed rice. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve alongside the Nuoc Cham sauce.

Pro Tips for Grilled Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken

  • Boost Lemongrass Flavor: Crush lemongrass stalks before chopping to release more aromatic oils and intensify the fragrant taste.
  • Marinate Like a Pro: Longer marinating time (overnight) allows deeper flavor penetration into chicken, creating more delicious results.
  • Grill Temperature Control: Use medium heat to prevent burning while ensuring crispy exterior and juicy interior of chicken thighs.
  • Perfect Nuoc Cham Balance: Adjust sugar and fish sauce ratios to create a harmonious sweet, sour, and savory dipping sauce that complements the chicken.
  • Choose Quality Chicken: Select bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for maximum flavor and moisture during grilling process.

Variation Ideas for Grilled Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken

  • Vegetarian Lemongrass Tofu: Replace chicken with firm tofu, marinate using same sauce, grill or pan-fry for a plant-based alternative.
  • Low-Sodium Version: Substitute fish sauce with coconut aminos, reduce soy sauce, use light salt to maintain flavor profile while cutting sodium content.
  • Oven-Baked Option: Skip grilling and bake chicken at 400°F for 25-30 minutes, turning once, perfect for indoor cooking during cold weather.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use tamari instead of dark soy sauce, ensure fish sauce is gluten-free, serve with cauliflower rice for a completely gluten-free meal.

Pairing Tips for Grilled Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken

  • Pair with Crisp Vietnamese Beer: Crack open a cold Saigon or 333 beer that cuts through the chicken's rich, tangy marinade and refreshes the palate with its light, crisp profile.
  • Complement with Jasmine Rice Bed: Spread fluffy jasmine rice underneath the grilled chicken to absorb the delicious lemongrass and fish sauce marinade, creating a perfect flavor-soaking base.
  • Match with Cucumber Mint Salad: Create a cool, bright side salad with thinly sliced cucumbers, fresh mint leaves, and a light rice vinegar dressing to balance the chicken's intense, grilled flavors.
  • Enhance with Aromatic White Wine: Select a slightly sweet Riesling or Gewürztraminer that echoes the lemongrass's citrusy notes and stands up to the dish's bold, savory characteristics.

Storage Guidelines for Grilled Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken

  • Store leftover grilled chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool chicken completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
  • Wrap individual chicken pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label container with date.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken on baking sheet, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Place chicken on microwave-safe plate, cover with damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, checking temperature to avoid overcooking. Add splash of water to maintain moisture.

FAQs About Grilled Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken

  • What makes lemongrass special in this chicken recipe?

Lemongrass adds a bright, citrusy, and slightly floral flavor that’s characteristic of Vietnamese cuisine, providing a unique aromatic profile that distinguishes this dish from other grilled chicken recipes.

  • Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts, but be careful not to overcook them as they tend to dry out more quickly. Chicken thighs are recommended for their higher fat content, which keeps the meat juicier and more flavorful during grilling.

  • Is fish sauce necessary for the marinade?

Fish sauce is crucial in Vietnamese cooking, providing a deep umami flavor and saltiness that cannot be easily replaced. If you can’t find fish sauce, you might use soy sauce with a bit of anchovy paste, though the flavor will be slightly different.

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Grilled Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Recipe

Grilled Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Recipe


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4.8 from 30 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Sizzling Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken delivers bold Southeast Asian flavors that dance across your palate with zesty marinade magic. Fragrant herbs and caramelized edges create an irresistible dish you’ll want to savor again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 8 boneless chicken thighs

Marinade Ingredients:

  • 1 stalk lemongrass (approximately 3.5 tablespoons)
  • 4 cloves garlic (approximately 2 tablespoons)
  • 1 shallot (approximately 2 tablespoons)
  • 1.5 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1.5 tablespoons dark soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons water

Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce Ingredients:

  • 1 clove garlic
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (approximately 1 lime)
  • 6 tablespoons hot water
  • 2.3 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce

Optional Garnish:

  • Grated carrots
  • 1 birds eye chili pepper

Instructions

  1. Craft a vibrant marinade by meticulously mincing lemongrass, garlic, and shallots into fine fragments. Combine with fish sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, and water in a mixing vessel.
  2. Submerge chicken thighs in the aromatic marinade, allowing flavors to penetrate for 30 minutes at room temperature or refrigerate overnight for deeper infusion.
  3. Preheat grill to medium heat, ensuring grates are lightly oiled to prevent sticking. Remove excess marinade from chicken pieces.
  4. Position chicken skin-side down on the grill, creating those coveted caramelized edges. Cook for 12-15 minutes, rotating periodically to guarantee uniform browning and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  5. While chicken sizzles, whisk together lime juice, hot water, sugar, and fish sauce for the classic nuoc cham dipping sauce. Add optional ingredients for enhanced complexity.
  6. Once grilled, transfer chicken to a resting board, allowing juices to redistribute for 5 minutes before slicing.
  7. Plate alongside vermicelli noodles or steamed rice, accompanied by fresh vegetables and the prepared nuoc cham sauce, creating a harmonious Vietnamese-inspired feast.

Notes

  • Marinate chicken longer for deeper, more intense flavor profiles that penetrate every fiber of the meat.
  • Experiment with different cooking methods like oven-roasting or air frying if outdoor grilling isn’t possible, maintaining the same marinade technique.
  • Choose bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for maximum juiciness and richer taste, which helps prevent drying out during high-heat cooking.
  • Customize the Nuoc Cham sauce by adjusting spice levels with more chili or reducing sugar for a tangier, lighter dipping experience that complements the grilled chicken.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Vietnamese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 267 kcal
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 1150 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 9 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 26 g
  • Cholesterol: 105 mg
Sarah Mitchell

Sarah Mitchell

Content Specialist & Home Cooking Enthusiast

Expertise

  • Making healthy, comforting meals that fit into real-life schedules
  • Planning balanced, single-serving meals for individuals and small families
  • Writing clear, practical food content with a focus on wellness and ease
  • Using seasonal ingredients to bring variety and freshness to everyday meals

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College – Asheville, NC

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Trained in the basics of professional cooking, with a strong focus on home-style meals, seasonal recipe development, and time-saving kitchen techniques for everyday use.

American Fitness Professionals & Associates – Online

  • Program: Nutrition and Wellness Consultant Certification
  • Focus: Studied how to make healthy eating simple, enjoyable, and accessible

Sarah’s passion for food was sparked by weekend trips to the farmers’ market and her belief that healthy meals should never feel boring.
After earning her culinary diploma and becoming a certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant, she set out to help others fall in love with simple, wholesome cooking.
She’s all about celebrating the small wins in the kitchen: a colorful yogurt bowl, a new twist on a classic dish, or a homemade snack that feels just a little extra special.
Outside the kitchen, Sarah is a gardener at heart, a yoga enthusiast, and a believer that fresh herbs can brighten any meal, and any day.

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