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Lemongrass Chicken
Welcome to SousVideRecipe! I’m Jasmine, a home cook who fell in love with sous vide the moment I realized it could turn everyday meals into restaurant-quality dishes with perfect consistency. My goal is to make sous vide cooking approachable and fun for real home kitchens—no complicated steps, just flavorful, reliable recipes anyone can master. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, I’m here to inspire you to enjoy cooking and create unforgettable meals one perfectly cooked bite at a time.
Preparing lemongrass chicken never fails to remind me of the vibrant and aromatic flavors that fill the air in bustling street markets. The way lemongrass intermingles with garlic and ginger creates an irresistible scent that pulls you in, making this dish an instant hit in any home. Each ingredient works in harmony, highlighting the essence of the chicken while infusing it with the signature flavors of Southeast Asia.
Marinating the chicken in this zestful blend of fish sauce, soy sauce, and honey offers a culinary experience that delights the senses. It’s surprising how accessible these robust flavors can be in your kitchen. Once you try lemongrass chicken, it’ll likely become a staple in your recipe repertoire, impressing family and friends with every bite.
This recipe accentuates the unique qualities of lemongrass while showcasing the chicken’s juicy tenderness. The combination of soy sauce and fish sauce adds depth, making each mouthful feel like a mini celebration. If you have a taste for adventure in your cooking, lemongrass chicken is a wonderful choice to expand your culinary horizons.
Lemongrass Chicken Basics
Fundamentals
Lemongrass chicken thrives on simplicity and flavor. With just a handful of ingredients, you can create a dish that tastes far more complex than it is. Each component of the marinade complements the chicken beautifully, providing an authentic taste that resonates with Southeast Asian cuisine. This dish works not just as a meal but as an entry point into exploring other flavors native to that region.
Preparation/Setup
Preparing this dish only takes a few minutes before leaving the chicken to absorb the marinade’s bold flavors. The key is to give it enough time to marinate, enhancing the taste and tenderness of the chicken. You can even prepare this dish ahead of time, letting the chicken marinate while you go about your day.
Ingredients
For this delicious lemongrass chicken, gather the following:
- 2-3 chicken breasts
- 2 stalks of lemongrass, finely chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger, minced
- 2 tablespoons of fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of honey or sugar
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Directions
- In a bowl, mix the chopped lemongrass, garlic, ginger, fish sauce, soy sauce, honey, black pepper, and vegetable oil to create a marinade.
- Add the chicken breasts and coat them well with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
- Preheat your grill, oven, or skillet to medium-high heat.
- Cook the marinated chicken for 6-8 minutes on each side or until fully cooked and no longer pink in the center.
- Remove from heat and let it rest for a few minutes.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with steamed rice or veggies.
Elevating Lemongrass Chicken
Technique
Cooking lemongrass chicken to perfection requires attention to technique. Whether you choose to grill, bake, or pan-fry, each method brings out the chicken’s juiciness while enhancing the marinade’s flavors. Grilling imparts a lovely smokiness, while baking ensures even cooking, and pan-frying gives you crispy edges.
Tips/Tricks
To maximize flavor, consider using fresh lemongrass rather than dried. Fresh ingredients yield a brighter and more aromatic dish. If you don’t have fresh ginger, you could use ground ginger; however, fresh always offers better results. Adjust the marinade ingredients based on your taste preferences; for instance, if you love a sweeter profile, add more honey.
Mastering Lemongrass Chicken
Perfecting Results
To achieve the best results, allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes, but longer is better for flavor infusion. This wait time allows the flavors to penetrate deeper into the chicken. After cooking, let the chicken rest; this step helps retain juice and moisture, leading to a succulent bite.
Troubleshooting/Variations
If the chicken turns out too salty, consider reducing the amount of soy sauce next time. For a more pronounced sweetness, you can add extra honey. Should you wish to explore different proteins, this marinade works well with shrimp or tofu, making it a versatile choice in your kitchen.
Serving and Storing Lemongrass Chicken
Serving/Presentation
Presentation adds to the enjoyment of lemongrass chicken. Serve the chicken sliced, drizzled with marinade, and topped with vibrant cilantro. This visually pleasing touch offers an inviting appeal to the dish and enhances the overall dining experience. Pairing it with plain steamed rice or fresh vegetables balances the flavors beautifully, rounding out the meal.
Pairings/Storage
While lemongrass chicken shines on its own, consider pairing it with fresh salads or light vegetable stir-fries for a bright and healthful meal. For storage, keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will last for up to three days. Reheating gently ensures you maintain the chicken’s moisture and flavor.
Conclusion
This recipe for lemongrass chicken presents a fantastic opportunity to explore vibrant flavors in a straightforward way. Infusing chicken with a blend of lemongrass, garlic, fish sauce, and soy sauce creates a dish that dazzles the palate. With minimal effort, you can transform simple ingredients into a remarkable meal, leaving a lasting impression at your dinner table. Give it a try and embrace the tantalizing flavors it brings to your cooking.
PrintLemongrass Chicken
A flavorful lemongrass chicken recipe infused with garlic and ginger, perfect for any home cook looking to impress.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Total Time: 26 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Southeast Asian
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Ingredients
- 2–3 chicken breasts
- 2 stalks of lemongrass, finely chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger, minced
- 2 tablespoons of fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of honey or sugar
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the chopped lemongrass, garlic, ginger, fish sauce, soy sauce, honey, black pepper, and vegetable oil to create a marinade.
- Add the chicken breasts and coat them well with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
- Preheat your grill, oven, or skillet to medium-high heat.
- Cook the marinated chicken for 6-8 minutes on each side or until fully cooked and no longer pink in the center.
- Remove from heat and let it rest for a few minutes.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with steamed rice or veggies.
Notes
For best results, use fresh lemongrass and allow the chicken to marinate longer for deeper flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg