Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will transform your kitchen into a bustling Vietnamese street food paradise! This lemongrass chicken stir-fry isn't just a meal; it's an explosion of aromatic herbs, zesty flavors, and mouth-watering textures that will make your dinner guests wonder if you've secretly trained in a Hanoi restaurant. In just 35 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-quality dish that brings the authentic taste of Vietnamese cuisine right to your dining table.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 500g chicken breast, sliced
- 2 stalks lemon grass, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- Fresh coriander for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by slicing chicken breast into thin strips, finely chopping lemon grass, mincing garlic, and slicing red bell pepper and onion.
- In a mixing bowl, combine chicken strips with minced lemon grass, garlic, fish sauce, and soy sauce. Marinate for 10-15 minutes to allow flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large wok or heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat until oil shimmers and is hot but not smoking.
- Add marinated chicken to the hot pan, spreading pieces evenly to ensure quick and even cooking. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until chicken begins to turn golden and is almost cooked through.
- Add sliced red bell pepper and onion to the pan. Continue stir-frying for an additional 3-4 minutes until vegetables are slightly tender but still crisp.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding extra fish sauce or soy sauce for deeper flavor.
- Remove from heat and transfer to a serving platter. Garnish generously with fresh chopped coriander leaves.
- Serve hot with steamed jasmine rice or rice noodles. Recommend accompanying with lime wedges for extra brightness.
Tips
- Marination is Key: Don't rush the marinating process. Those 10-15 minutes allow the lemongrass and sauces to deeply penetrate the chicken, creating layers of incredible flavor.
- Wok or Skillet Temperature: Ensure your cooking surface is hot but not smoking. The right temperature guarantees that beautiful golden sear on the chicken without making it tough.
- Cut Uniformly: Slice chicken and vegetables into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and a professional presentation.
- Fresh Ingredients Matter: Use fresh lemongrass and coriander. The difference in flavor is remarkable compared to dried or wilted herbs.
- Don't Overcrowd the Pan: Stir-fry in batches if necessary. Overcrowding leads to steaming instead of the desired crispy, caramelized texture.
- Serve Immediately: This dish is best enjoyed hot, straight from the wok, with steamed jasmine rice to soak up those incredible sauces.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 95mg
