Chicken thighs marinated in a purée of lemongrass, garlic, vinegar, and fish sauce, then grilled until golden and fragrant. Drizzled with a sweet-and-sour lemongrass and lime dressing, and topped with crisp cucumber and fresh cilantro.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces lemongrass stalks
- 4 pieces garlic cloves
- 160 ml distilled white vinegar
- 80 ml fish sauce (nuoc-mam)
- 1 piece serrano peppers
- 900 g skinless, boneless chicken thighs
- 10 g kosher salt (Diamond Crystal or Morton style)
- as needed vegetable oil (for the grill)
- 2 pieces large limes
- 20 g sugar
- 1 piece mini seedless cucumber
- 0.5 bunches fresh cilantro
- as needed cooked rice noodles, steamed rice, or toasted bread (for serving, optional)
Method
- Prepare the lemongrass purée according to the prepared component's instructions.
- In the large bowl containing the remaining purée (after removing the 60 ml), add the chicken thighs and salt. Massage well so the salt dissolves and the meat is coated.
- Cover the bowl and marinate for at least 20 minutes (or for up to 12 hours in the refrigerator if marinating for more than 30 minutes; there is no need to bring the chicken to room temperature before cooking).
- Prepare the grill for high indirect heat (for a charcoal grill, arrange the coals on one side; for a gas grill, leave one or two burners off). Oil the grate with vegetable oil.
- Remove the chicken thighs from the marinade and place them on the hottest part of the grill. Grill, turning halfway through, and move them to the indirect zone if they brown too quickly. Cook for 8 to 12 minutes total, until grill marks appear, the meat is deeply browned, and it is cooked through.
- Transfer the chicken thighs to a rack set over a baking sheet. Let rest for 10 minutes.
- Arrange the chicken thighs on a serving platter. Drizzle the reserved dressing over the chicken.
- Scatter the cucumber sticks and chopped cilantro over the top.
- Serve with cooked rice noodles, steamed rice, or toasted bread, if desired.
Nutrition
Per serving
- Energy
- 298 kcal
- Protein
- 22.53 g
- Carbohydrate
- 8.85 g
- Fat
- 18.81 g
- Fibre
- 1.18 g
- Calcium
- 18.48 mg
- Iron
- 0.19 mg
- Magnesium
- 7.95 mg