CARAMELIZED LEMONGRASS CHICKEN

  1. Overview
  2. Recipe Ideas
  3. CARAMELIZED LEMONGRASS CHICKEN

🍗 CARAMELIZED LEMONGRASS CHICKEN 🍋

📱 OVERVIEW

  • Total Time: 40 Minutes (plus 20 min marinating)

  • Servings: 4 People

🛠️ THE KIT

  • 🥣 1 Large mixing bowl

  • 🍳 1 Large frying pan (non-stick or cast iron)

  • 🧪 1 Small jar (for the dipping sauce)

  • 🔪 1 Small knife & Cutting board

  • 🥢 1 Set of tongs

  • 🧤 1 Oven mitt

🛒 THE INGREDIENTS

The Lemongrass Marinade

  • 🍗 Halal Chicken thighs 4 large (skin-on, boneless)

  • 🍋 Lemongrass 2 stalks (finely minced)

  • 🧄 Garlic 3 cloves (minced)

  • 🧅 Shallot 1 small (minced)

  • 🍠 Fresh ginger 1 tsp (grated)

  • 🍯 Honey 1 tablespoon

  • 🤎 Brown sugar 1 tablespoon

  • 🐚 Halal Oyster sauce 1 tablespoon

  • 🍶 Light soy sauce 2 tablespoons

  • 🐟 Halal Fish sauce 1 tablespoon

  • 🏺 Cooking Oil 1 tablespoon

The Dipping Sauce (Nuoc Cham style)

  • 💧 Warm Water 1/4 cup

  • 🐟 Halal Fish sauce 2 tablespoons

  • 🤎 Brown sugar 1 tablespoon

  • 🍋‍🟩 Lime juice 1 tablespoon

  • 🌶️ Bird’s eye chili 1 small (thinly sliced)

The Service

  • 🍚 Steamed Jasmine rice 2 cups

  • 🌱 Scallion oil 2 tablespoons (chopped scallions mixed with warm oil)

  • 🏺 Cooking Oil 2 tablespoons (for frying)

👨‍🍳 THE METHOD

1. The Infusion (0–25 Mins)

  1. 🥣 Marinate: In the Mixing bowl, combine the Chicken with all the Marinade ingredients.

  2. 🖐️ Massage: Rub the mixture into the meat for 2 Minutes, ensuring the lemongrass sticks to the skin.

  3. ⏳ Rest: Let it sit at room temperature for 20 Minutes to absorb the flavors.

2. The Caramelized Sear (25–37 Mins)

  1. 🔥 Heat: Add 2 tbsp Oil to your Frying pan over Medium heat.

  2. 🍗 Skin-Side Down: Place the chicken in the pan, skin-side down. Do not crowd the pan.

  3. ⏲️ Crisp: Cook undisturbed for 6 Minutes. The sugars will caramelize the skin into a dark, crunchy gold.

  4. 🥢 Flip: Use Tongs to turn the chicken. Cook the flesh side for another 6 Minutes until the internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).

3. The Sauce & Plating (37–40 Mins)

  1. 🧪 Shake: Combine all Dipping Sauce ingredients in the Small jar. Shake vigorously until the sugar is fully dissolved.

  2. 🍚 Garnish: Scoop Steamed rice onto plates and drizzle with the Scallion oil.

  3. 🍽️ Serve: Slice the chicken into strips and place next to the rice. Serve the dipping sauce in small individual bowls. 🛑 Turn the stove Off.

🛡️ SAFETY FIRST

  • 🔥 Sticky Sugar Burns: The honey and brown sugar in the marinade create a "lava-like" syrup in the pan. Avoid touching the chicken or the pan juices with bare skin; use Tongs and Oven mitts.

  • 🍗 Cross-Contamination: Raw chicken carries bacteria. Wash your hands, bowl, and workspace with hot soapy water immediately after the "Massage" step.

  • 🌶️ Capsaicin Warning: Bird's eye chilis are extremely potent. Wear gloves or wash your hands twice with dish soap after slicing; one touch to the eyes can cause intense pain.