Grilled Lemongrass Chicken Recipe - Better Than Takeout!

fish sauce

🥗Healthier: soy sauce

💰Cheaper: salt + vinegar

Soy sauce provides a similar umami flavor while being lower in calories.

brown sugar

🥗Healthier: coconut sugar

💰Cheaper: white sugar

Coconut sugar offers a lower glycemic index.

chicken thighs

🥗Healthier: chicken breast

💰Cheaper: pork

Chicken breast is leaner, while pork is often less expensive.

vegetable oil

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Olive oil is healthier due to its monounsaturated fats.

Pound the garlic and black peppercorns in a mortar and pestle until fine.

Add the lemongrass and pound into a rough paste.

Add the oil, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and water and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Pour the marinade onto the chicken and mix well. Let marinate overnight, or at least 2 hours; stirring halfway in between if you can to make sure marinade is well distributed.

Preheat the grill on high heat.

Oil the grill grates well then place the chicken on the grill, presentation side down, and cook with the lid closed for 1-2 minutes or until the chicken has nice grill marks. Rotate the chicken 90 degrees to get the crosshatch grill marks, and let them grill for another 1-2 minutes.

Set the oven rack to the top position, about 3-4 inches away from the element, and preheat the broiler on high for 5 minutes. Line a baking sheet with foil and place the chicken on the baking sheet, pretty side up.

Broil the chicken for 7-10 minutes, or until you have nice browning with little charred bits on the chicken. By the time this happens the chicken should be fully cooked. Don't flip the chicken; if you try to broil both sides the chicken will not have enough time to develop any browning—it’s better to get a good char on one side than none!

Pound together the garlic and chili into a rough paste. Add the sugar and grind in a circular motion to break up the chilies further. Add all remaining ingredients and stir until the sugar is dissolved. This can be stored in the fridge for a few weeks.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens