This Vietnamese lemongrass chicken stir fry is a restaurant-quality dish that you can make at home with just a few simple ingredients. It's so delicious and better than take-out. The chicken is packed with flavors, no marinating is required. You can serve this stir fry with brown rice or white rice.
Vietnamese lemongrass chicken stir fry is one of the most common dishes you can find on a Vietnamese restaurant menu.
If you have ordered and tried it, you've likely fallen in love with it. You probably always wondered how the restaurants make this dish taste so good. I sure have.
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Easy Lemongrass Chicken Stir Fry
Well today, I am going to show you how a good recipe for Vietnamese lemongrass chicken using ingredients that you are familiar with.
My first few times eating out Vietnamese food I gravitated right toward the spring rolls and pho. They were both delicious so I made that my thing and didn't explore the menu too much beyond that. I then tried Vietnamese soups with different broths and had a number of different rice and noodle dishes.
Finally, I gave the lemongrass chicken a try and wondered what took me so long to do so.
Lemongrass is one of those flavors that takes me on a journey and changes an entire dish. It makes every bite of the rice and chicken delightful, a definite favorite ingredient of mine. If you want to learn more about lemongrass, please check out this how-to cook with lemongrass article.
Ingredients for Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Stir Fry
To make this lemongrass chicken, you will need the following ingredients:
- Chicken thighs
- Lemongrass
- Vietnamese fish sauce
- Brown sugar
- Garlic
- Turmeric
- Shallots
- Dry Sherry
- Chicken granulated bouillon (optional)
How to Make Lemongrass Chicken Stir Fry
This lemongrass chicken stir fry is very easy to make. Here are some steps to follow:
Step 1. Prepare and Season the Chicken
- To start, you need to pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels then cut the meat into 2-inch pieces.
- Transfer the chicken pieces into a bowl. Add turmeric and the optional chicken granulated bouillon. Stir to combine and set aside.
Step 2. Pre-Cook Chicken
- In a large skillet, heat oil on high heat.
- Cook the chicken, skin side down for about 2-3 minutes then flip and continue cooking until the meat is fully cooked. Transfer the meat to a plate and reserve about 2 tablespoon of cooking oil to cook the other ingredients.
Step 3. Stir Fry All Ingredients
- Add lemongrass and shallots into the skillet. Stir for about 1 minute then add garlic and keep stirring just until fragrant.
- Add the pre-cooked chicken back into the pan. Pour in some dry sherry. Continue cooking until most of the liquid has evaporated and the meat is coated with the sauce. Adjust seasoning if needed.
How to store leftover cooked chicken
You can store the leftover cooked chicken in the fridge or freezer. Properly stored, this lemongrass chicken can last up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator or up to 2 months in the freezer.
Check Out More Delicious Asian Recipes
- Vietnamese Caramelized Pork Bowls
- Easy Vietnamese Turmeric Fish with Dills
- Vietnamese Pork Chops
- Homemade Crab Rangoon
- Twice-Cooked Pork Belly
- Kalbi-Korean BBQ Beef Short Ribs
- Chicken in Black Bean Sauce
- Spicy Sichuan Noodles
- Sweet and Sour Fish
I hope you'll enjoy this recipe and share it with friends! If you try it and don’t mind, please leave me a comment and/or give this recipe a rating.
📖 Recipe
Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken thighs, skin on, (net weight after debone, pat chicken dry with paper towels then cut into 2-inch pieces, skin on)
- ¾ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon chicken granulated bouillon , (optional) - or use mushroom seasoning
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil , (such as vegetable, canola, or peanut oil)
- black pepper, (to taste)
Sauce:
- 1½ tablespoons brown sugar , (for a lighter taste, use 1 tbsp)
- 1½ tablespoons Vietnamese fish sauce, (for a lighter taste, use 1 tbsp)
Stir Fry:
- 3 tablespoons finely minced fresh lemongrass , (click here for a complete instruction)
- ¼ cup sliced shallots
- 1½ tablespoons minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons dry sherry, (or dry white wine)
Instructions
- Transfer the chicken pieces into a bowl. Add turmeric, kosher salt, black pepper, and the optional chicken granulated bouillon. Stir to combine.
- In a large skillet, heat oil on high heat. Cook the chicken, skin side down for about 2-3 minutes then flip and continue cooking until the meat is fully cooked. Transfer the chicken to a plate and reserve about 2 tablespoons of cooking oil to cook the other ingredients.
- Add lemongrass and shallots into the skillet. Cook at high heat for about 1 minute then add garlic and keep stirring just until fragrant.
- Add the pre-cooked chicken back into the pan, stir for about 2-3 minutes. Add dry sherry and the sauce mixture (fish sauce and brown sugar). Continue cooking and stirring until most of the liquid has evaporated and the meat is coated with the sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt, black pepper, or extra sauce if needed. Serve with white rice.
Anita says
It is not easy to hunt-down packaged boneless skin-on chicken thigh, but they are totally worth it for this recipe. So yummy with a bowl of rice.
Rika says
That's right, it's quite rare but you can use bone-in chicken and debone it next time.
Ashley says
I've never used lemongrass before, but this recipe makes me want to give it a try!
Rika says
Let me know if you have any questions, Ashley.
melissa chapman says
It looks awesome and sounds so good. I never cooked or ate lemongrass so I will have to get this and the fish sauce in the Asian market.
Rika says
I think you're going to love lemongrass. It has a refreshing citrus flavor, Melissa.
Beth says
This looks so delicious and tasty! My husband is going to love this recipe! I can’t wait to give this a try!
Tasheena says
I’ve never had or made lemon grass chicken before. Looking forward to getting this recipe a try.
Anjali says
This stir fry really was super easy and had great flavor! I'll definitely be making it again soon!
Rika says
I am glad that you liked it, Anjali!
Heather says
I don't think I've ever tried anything like this. I look forward to making it soon!
Chef Dennis says
This Vietnamese lemongrass chicken stir fry is making my tummy growl! I'm feeling hungry right now. Just the sight of this dish makes me want to eat.
Heather Johnson says
yum!
Marysa says
I will have to look to see where I can find fresh lemongrass. This sounds like a unique dish!
Rika says
I hope you can find the lemongrass, Marysa.