Healthy Lemongrass Chicken with Vietnamese Flavor
Easy Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken is a fast, fragrant dish made with tender chicken thighs marinated in lemongrass, garlic, and fish sauce. Cooked in one skillet in just 30 minutes, it’s full of bold flavor and perfect for any weeknight.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
3 tbsp minced lemongrass (about 2 stalks)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 shallot, finely chopped
2 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
½ tbsp oil (for marinade)
1 tbsp oil (for cooking)
Juice of ½ lime
Optional: chopped cilantro, green onions for garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix lemongrass, garlic, shallot, fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and oil.
- Add chicken and marinate 15–20 minutes (or up to 24 hours).
- Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken and sear 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
- Optional: deglaze pan with 1–2 tbsp water or broth.
- Turn off heat. Squeeze lime juice over chicken and toss.
- Slice and serve with rice or noodles. Garnish as desired.
Notes
Use lemongrass paste if needed. For spicier flavor, add chili flakes or sriracha. Great for meal prep or rice bowls.