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Flavorful Grilled Vietnamese Chicken Recipe with Fresh Herbs

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A quick and easy grilled Vietnamese chicken recipe featuring a bright, herbaceous marinade with lemongrass, fish sauce, and fresh herbs, perfect for summer BBQs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 2 stalks lemongrass, finely minced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ cup chopped cilantro
  • ½ cup chopped mint
  • ½ cup chopped Thai basil
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • Optional: ½ teaspoon chili flakes or 1 small fresh chili, sliced

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine minced lemongrass, garlic, fish sauce, honey, lime juice, black pepper, and vegetable oil. Stir well until honey dissolves. Add chili flakes or fresh chili if desired.
  2. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Add chicken to marinade, toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, ideally 3–4 hours or overnight for deeper flavor.
  3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
  4. Place chicken thighs skin-side down on the grill. Cook undisturbed for 6–8 minutes to develop a sear and char.
  5. Flip chicken and cook another 6–8 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Watch for flare-ups and move chicken if needed.
  6. Remove chicken from grill and let rest for 5 minutes.
  7. Sprinkle with freshly chopped cilantro, mint, and Thai basil before serving.
  8. Serve with steamed jasmine rice or wrapped in lettuce leaves with pickled vegetables.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before marinating to help skin crisp. Marinate at least 1 hour but no more than 12 hours to avoid mushy texture. Use a meat thermometer for perfect doneness. For indoor cooking, use a grill pan or cast iron skillet and finish in oven at 375°F for 10 minutes. Avoid microwaving leftovers to keep skin crisp.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken, Vietnamese chicken, lemongrass chicken, summer BBQ, fresh herbs, fish sauce marinade, easy grilled chicken

Find it online: https://larameals.com/flavorful-grilled-vietnamese-chicken-recipe-with-fresh-herbs-easy-and-perfect-for-summer-bbqs/