Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Crispy outside, juicy inside—perfectly balanced texture.
• Infused with bright lemongrass flavor and aromatic spices.
• Simple ingredients and quick cooking process.
• Versatile—great for rice bowls, noodles, or lettuce wraps.
• Restaurant-quality flavor made right in your kitchen.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Chicken thighs or breasts, boneless and skinless
• Lemongrass stalks, finely minced (white part only)
• Garlic, minced
• Shallots, finely chopped
• Fish sauce
• Soy sauce
• Sugar or honey
• Lime juice or rice vinegar
• Ground black pepper
• Cornstarch or rice flour (for coating)
• Vegetable oil (for frying)
• Fresh cilantro or mint, for garnish
• Lime wedges, for serving

Directions

1. Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, combine minced lemongrass, garlic, shallots, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, lime juice, and pepper. Stir to mix well.
2. Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken pieces and coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight for deeper flavor.
3. Coat the chicken: Remove chicken from the marinade and lightly dredge each piece in cornstarch or rice flour for a crispy exterior.
4. Cook the chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken pieces for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
5. Drain and rest: Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate to remove excess oil. Let rest for a few minutes before slicing.
6. Serve: Garnish with fresh herbs and lime wedges. Serve hot with steamed rice or a light salad.

Servings and timing

• Serves: 4 people
• Preparation time: 15 minutes
• Marinating time: 1 hour
• Cook time: 15 minutes
• Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Variations

• Grilled version: Grill the marinated chicken over medium heat for 6–7 minutes per side for a smoky twist.
• Spicy lemongrass chicken: Add chopped Thai chilies or chili paste to the marinade.
• Baked version: Bake at 400 °F (200 °C) for 25–30 minutes, then broil for 2 minutes for crispiness.
• Glazed style: Toss the fried chicken in a honey-lime or chili-garlic glaze for extra shine.
• Lemongrass chicken wings: Use chicken wings and follow the same marinating and frying steps.
• Rice bowl: Serve over jasmine rice with pickled vegetables and a drizzle of chili oil.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freezing: Freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen in the oven for best texture.
• Reheating: Reheat in an oven or air fryer at 375 °F for 6–8 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.
• Tip: For extra crispiness, double-fry the chicken—fry once until light golden, rest, then fry again until deep golden brown.

FAQs

1. What does lemongrass taste like?

Lemongrass has a bright, citrusy, and slightly floral flavor that adds freshness and depth to savory dishes.

2. Can I use ground lemongrass instead of fresh?

Fresh lemongrass is best, but you can use lemongrass paste or powder if needed—just adjust the amount since they’re more concentrated.

3. What cut of chicken works best?

Boneless, skinless thighs are ideal for juiciness and flavor, but breasts also work well if not overcooked.

4. Can I make this dish gluten-free?

Yes—use gluten-free soy sauce and rice flour for coating instead of cornstarch.

5. Is it necessary to marinate the chicken?

Marinating is key to infusing the lemongrass flavor. Even 30 minutes makes a difference.

6. How can I make it less salty?

Reduce the fish sauce slightly or add a bit of sugar or lime juice to balance the flavors.

7. What oil is best for frying?

Use neutral oils like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil for high-heat frying.

8. Can I air fry this recipe?

Yes, air fry at 375 °F (190 °C) for 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp.

9. What should I serve with Crispy Lemongrass Chicken?

Steamed jasmine rice, coconut rice, or a light cucumber salad complement it beautifully.

10. How do I make it extra crispy?

Use a light cornstarch coating and ensure the oil is hot before frying. Double-frying also enhances crispiness.

Conclusion

Crispy Lemongrass Chicken is a vibrant and aromatic dish that brings the bold, fresh flavors of Southeast Asia right to your table. With its golden crust, juicy interior, and bright citrus-herbal notes, it’s a perfect balance of texture and taste. Whether pan-fried, grilled, or air-fried, this dish makes a satisfying main course that’s both comforting and full of character.

Crispy Lemongrass Chicken

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Crispy Lemongrass Chicken is a fragrant and flavorful Southeast Asian–inspired dish featuring tender chicken marinated in lemongrass, garlic, and fish sauce, then fried until golden brown and perfectly crisp. The result is a beautifully balanced meal that’s aromatic, crunchy, and delicious with rice or fresh herbs.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Southeast Asian
• Diet: Halal

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
• 2 lemongrass stalks, finely minced (white part only)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 shallots, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sugar or honey
• 1 tbsp lime juice or rice vinegar
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup cornstarch or rice flour (for coating)
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• Fresh cilantro or mint, for garnish
• Lime wedges, for serving

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Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl, combine minced lemongrass, garlic, shallots, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, lime juice, and black pepper. Mix well to form a marinade.
2. Add chicken pieces and coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight for best flavor.
3. Remove chicken from the marinade and lightly coat each piece in cornstarch or rice flour for extra crispiness.
4. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
5. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate to drain excess oil. Let rest for a few minutes before slicing.
6. Garnish with cilantro or mint and serve with lime wedges. Enjoy with steamed jasmine rice or a fresh salad.

Notes

• Use fresh lemongrass for the best aroma and flavor.
• Marinate for at least 30 minutes if you’re short on time—longer marination enhances the flavor.
• For a healthier version, air fry or grill the chicken instead of frying.
• Double-fry for extra crispiness: fry once until light golden, rest, then fry again until deep golden brown.
• Serve with pickled vegetables or chili dipping sauce for a complete meal.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 portion
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 780mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 35g
• Cholesterol: 110mg