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Grilled Vietnamese Chicken Recipe

4 from 73 reviews

This Grilled Vietnamese Chicken recipe features tender boneless, skinless chicken thighs marinated in a flavorful blend of fish sauce, soy sauce, honey, garlic, lemongrass, and lime juice. Grilled to perfection, this dish offers a delicious balance of savory, sweet, and tangy notes, garnished with fresh cilantro and served alongside crisp cucumbers and lime wedges, making it a refreshing and aromatic meal perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Marinade

  • 3 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon minced lemongrass
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice

Garnish & Serving

  • Fresh cilantro, for garnish
  • Sliced cucumbers, for serving
  • Lime wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a mixing bowl, combine fish sauce, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, minced lemongrass, vegetable oil, black pepper, sugar, and lime juice. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well mixed.
  2. Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a large zip-lock bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken ensuring each piece is fully coated. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight, to enhance flavor infusion.
  3. Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to medium-high temperature to prepare for cooking the chicken.
  4. Grill the chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting the excess drip off. Place the thighs on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until cooked through and slightly charred on the edges.
  5. Rest the chicken: Once grilled, remove the chicken from the heat and allow it to rest for a few minutes to retain its juices.
  6. Serve: Slice the chicken into strips and arrange on a platter. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with sliced cucumbers and lime wedges on the side for a fresh finish.

Notes

  • Marinating the chicken overnight intensifies the flavor and tenderizes the meat.
  • Use fresh lemongrass for the best aromatic flavor; if unavailable, substitute with a small amount of lemongrass paste or finely minced zest of lemon.
  • Make sure your grill is properly preheated to get nice char marks and to cook the chicken evenly.
  • Letting the chicken rest after grilling helps keep it juicy and flavorful.
  • Serve with steamed jasmine rice for a complete Vietnamese-inspired meal.

Keywords: Vietnamese grilled chicken, lemongrass chicken, marinated chicken thighs, grilled chicken recipe, Asian grilled chicken, fish sauce marinade, summer grilling, easy chicken dinner