Description
Savory Vietnamese chicken brings together a symphony of Southeast Asian flavors with tender marinated meat and aromatic herbs. Succulent chicken promises a delightful culinary journey that satisfies hungry diners and celebrates authentic Vietnamese cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 chicken thighs (bone-in and skin-on, approximately 3½ lbs or 1.6 kg)
- 1 large lemongrass stalk, trimmed
- ¼ cup minced shallots
- 4 garlic cloves (3 large, 1 small), minced
- 2 tsps Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 4 tbsps Red Boat fish sauce
- 3 tbsps maple syrup (or ¼ cup apple or pineapple juice for Whole30)
- 2 tbsps freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 tsp honey (or 1 tbsp of orange juice if doing a Whole30)
- ¼ cup water
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- Zest from 1 lime
- Lime wedges (optional)
- Fresh herbs (optional)
- Lettuce (optional)
- Pickled vegetables (optional)
Instructions
- Marinade Creation: Whisk shallots, lemongrass, garlic, salt, ginger, black pepper, lime zest, olive oil, fish sauce, and honey in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
- Chicken Preparation: Fully submerge chicken thighs in the marinade, ensuring complete coverage. Refrigerate for 1-24 hours to allow flavor infusion and tenderization.
- Oven Configuration: Preheat oven to 400°F (convection) or 425°F (traditional). Arrange chicken thighs skin-side down on a wire rack positioned over a foil-lined baking sheet to maximize heat circulation and capture potential drippings.
- Roasting Process: Cook for 20 minutes, then carefully flip chicken to expose crispy skin. Rotate tray and continue baking 20-25 minutes until skin achieves a deep golden hue and internal temperature reaches 175°F.
- Nuoc Cham Sauce: Blend sauce ingredients in a small bowl, adjusting seasonings to taste. Transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate, maintaining freshness for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Marinade Magic: Allow chicken to soak in flavor-packed marinade for at least 1 hour, with overnight marination delivering the most intense taste profile.
- Skin Perfection: Start roasting chicken skin-side down to render fat and create an incredibly crispy, golden-brown exterior that’s irresistibly crunchy.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 175°F internally, guaranteeing juicy meat and safe consumption.
- Sauce Storage: Prepare nuoc cham dipping sauce ahead of time, storing in a sealed container for up to 4 days, making meal prep a breeze.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 405
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 125mg