Flavorful Grilled Vietnamese Chicken Recipe
A smoky, juicy, and tender Vietnamese grilled chicken marinated with lemongrass, fish sauce, and a touch of honey, perfect for backyard BBQs or quick weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 fresh lemongrass stalks, finely minced (about 2 tablespoons)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon optional chili flakes
Instructions
- Remove the tough outer layers of the lemongrass stalks and finely mince the pale green and white parts to get about 2 tablespoons.
- In a large bowl, combine minced lemongrass, garlic, fish sauce, soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, lime juice, black pepper, vegetable oil, and chili flakes if using. Whisk until sugar dissolves and mixture is even.
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and add to the marinade. Toss well to coat each piece thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking. If using a grill pan, heat over medium-high until hot.
- Place chicken skin-side down on the grill. Grill for 6–8 minutes per side, turning once, until skin is charred and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Marinate chicken at least 2 hours, preferably overnight for best flavor. Use bone-in, skin-on thighs for juiciness. If flare-ups occur, move chicken to cooler grill area. Let chicken rest 5 minutes after grilling to redistribute juices. Substitute lemongrass paste or lemon zest with ginger if fresh lemongrass unavailable. Oven baking at 425°F for 25-30 minutes is an alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 ounces (170 grams)
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Protein: 28
Keywords: grilled chicken, Vietnamese chicken, lemongrass chicken, BBQ chicken, grilled chicken thighs, fish sauce marinade, easy grilled chicken