Description
This Grilled Lemongrass Chicken is juicy, savory, slightly sweet, and infused with the unmistakable bright aroma of fresh lemongrass. Marinated in a vibrant blend of lemongrass, garlic, soy, fish sauce, lime, and a touch of sweetness, this chicken grills beautifully with caramelized edges and bold Vietnamese-inspired flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Marinade
- 2 stalks lemongrass, tough outer layers removed, finely minced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small shallot, minced
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar or honey
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp chili flakes (optional)
For the Chicken
- 2 lbs chicken thighs (boneless, skinless preferred)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for grilling)
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh cilantro or mint
- Lime wedges
- Chopped peanuts
- Sliced chili
- Pickled vegetables
Instructions
1. Make the Marinade
- In a bowl, combine minced lemongrass, garlic, shallot, fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, oil, pepper, and chili flakes.
- Mix well to dissolve sugar.
2. Marinate the Chicken
- Place chicken thighs in a bowl or zip-top bag.
- Pour marinade over chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated.
- Marinate at least 1 hour, preferably 4–12 hours for deeper flavor.
3. Grill the Chicken
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Brush grates with oil.
- Grill chicken 5–6 minutes per side, or until nicely charred and fully cooked (internal temp 165°F / 74°C).
- Rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
4. Serve
Serve over jasmine rice, in rice bowls, inside banh mi sandwiches, or with vermicelli noodles.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for juicier results; breasts also work, but require shorter cooking time.
- If you don’t have fresh lemongrass, use 1 ½ tbsp lemongrass paste.
- Add 1 tbsp of sesame oil for extra aroma.
- Prep Time: PT10M
- Cook Time: PT10M
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilled, Marinated
- Cuisine: Vietnamese-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh portion
- Calories: 320 Kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 145mg