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.
Ciara says
This looks really good. I'm always looking for new food to try out and will definitely be giving this a shot.
Nikki Wayne says
It looks so flavorful! I'm sure this dish is so savory. 😋
Crystal Carder says
I'm always nervous trying new recipes, but this one looks too good not to try!
Rika says
Let me know what you think about it, Crystal.
Lynndee says
That looks good! We use lemon grass in our cooking in the Philippines. But I can't find one here in the U.S. Missed using it in soups.
Rika says
That's too bad. I hope you can find it soon. Buy bulk and freeze them.
Nyxie says
Looks and sounds gorgeous! I must give it a go at the weekend.
Kathy says
I love making stir fry. It's one of my favorites to make. You can make it so many different ways.
Catalina says
This chicken stir fry sounds so flavorful! It's a dinner that my whole family will love!
Lois says
Yum!
Tara says
What an amazing meal! I absolutely love the color of the chicken with the addition of the turmeric and all those flavors. Yum!
Rika says
Thanks, Tara.
Anosa Malanga says
I miss traveling and part of it is eating local foods. Speaking of Vietnamese food, I really love it. I will try to make one in the meantime with this recipe.I hope I can revisit again and taste their local cuisines.
Rika says
I miss traveling too. Local foods are the best!