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Vietnamese grilled chicken

6 authentic Vietnamese grilled chicken recipes to satisfy your palate

31/12/2023 1.183 views

Vietnamese culinary culture is known for its sophisticated use of spices. In the case of Vietnamese grilled chicken, various marinating techniques and unique dipping sauces showcase the diverse approach to flavor in Vietnamese cuisine. Discover more here.
Vietnamese grilled chicken is a dish that comes in varying versions

Vietnamese grilled chicken is a dish that comes in varying versions (Source: Collected)

Vietnamese grilled chicken is a beloved dish within the vibrant tapestry of Vietnamese cuisine. It is known for its succulent flavors and comes in a multitude of versions. From street vendors to family kitchens, the preparation of Vietnamese grilled chicken takes on various forms, with unique marinades, seasoning blends, and grilling techniques. Exploring its diverse versions in this guide. 

1. Vietnamese grilled chicken with kaffir lime leaves

1.1. Ingredients

Tasty and nutritious, Vietnamese grilled chicken with kaffir lime leaves goes well with any meal, seasonally. The key to this easy recipe is the kaffir lime leaves, which give the food a citrus aroma without making it sour. 

  • 1 whole chicken
  • 10 kaffir lime leaves
  • Lemongrass, lime, chili, garlic
  • Chili powder, dipping sauce spices, soy sauce, sesame oil, cooking oil, salt
  • A pot, bowls, a knife, tongs, gloves

1.2. Instructions

1. Clean the chicken by rinsing it with diluted saltwater and white wine. Rinse the chicken again with water and let it drain. Split the chicken thighs for better seasoning.
2. Clean and divide the kaffir lime leaves into two parts. Keep one part whole and thinly slice the other part.
3. Grate the lemongrass into thin strips.
4. Mix the kaffir lime leaves, chili powder, dipping sauce spices, sesame oil, and soy sauce in a bowl.
5. Apply the marinating sauce to the chicken, both outside and inside.
6. Let the chicken marinate for 2 hours to allow the flavors to penetrate.
7. Place the lemongrass, whole kaffir lime leaves, 2 garlic cloves, 2 cups of cooking oil, and marinated chicken into a pot.
8. Cover the pot and cook the chicken over low heat for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, increase the heat and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
9. Open the lid and remove the internal organs, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves.
10. Turn the chicken and pour oil over it until it turns golden brown. Turn off the heat.

And your Vietnamese grilled chicken with kaffir lime leaves is ready to be served. There are several sides and dipping sauces that go well with Vietnamese grilled chicken with kaffir lime leaves. Consider steamed rice, vermicelli, and salad and fish sauce with lime juice, sugar, water, garlic and chili or with cilantro, garlic, and chili.

Indulge in Vietnamese grilled chicken's flavors

Indulge in Vietnamese grilled chicken’s flavors (Source: Collected)

2. Vietnamese grilled chicken skewers with lemon leaves

This is one of the most popular Vietnamese chicken dishes on the Vietnamese street food scene. Here is a list of what you need to make it: 

2.1. Ingredients

  • 800g chicken
  • 200g fresh lemon leaves
  • Garlic, black pepper, MSG
  • Cooking oil, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, cashew nut oil

2.2. Instructions

1. Finely chop the garlic, add hot water to it, and squeeze it to extract 2 tablespoons of garlic-infused liquid.
2. Remove the chicken skin and bones and cut them into bite-sized pieces.
3. Prepare a marinade with the sesame oil, garlic water, and honey. Add the black pepper, salt, sugar, MSG, and colored cashew nut oil. Marinate the chicken for 30 minutes.
4. Place a piece of chicken on a lemon leaf. Then, secure it with a skewer. Grill the skewer over medium heat and turn it evenly.
5. When the chicken is cooked, arrange it on a plate and garnish it with herbs.

You can enjoy this with rice vermicelli or steam-cooked rice and pair it with fish sauce, sugar lime juice, garlic, and chili or soy sauce and lime juice. 

Fill up with Vietnamese grilled chicken skewers

Fill up with Vietnamese grilled chicken skewers (Source: Collected)

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3. Vietnamese grilled lemongrass chicken

3.1. Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons of canola oil
  • 2 tablespoons of finely chopped lemongrass
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon of fish sauce
  • 2 teaspoons of soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons of light brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons of minced garlic
  • 1 ½ pounds of chicken thighs, pounded to an even thickness

3.2. Instructions

1. Mix canola oil, lemongrass, lemon juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and fish sauce until the sugar is dissolved to make a marinade.
2. Add chicken to the marinade, ensuring it is well coated. Allow the chicken to marinate in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to 1 hour.
3. Pre-heat the grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
4. Remove the chicken thighs from the marinade, shaking off any excess.
5. Grill the chicken until it is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear.
6. Serve the grilled lemongrass chicken hot, and enjoy!

Savor your Vietnamese grilled lemongrass chicken with fresh veggies and herbs, rice or vermicelli noodles, and fish sauce with garlic and chili.

One of the best Vietnamese grilled chicken recipes

One of the best Vietnamese grilled chicken recipes (Source: Collected)

4. Vietnamese grilled chicken with chili and salt

4.1. Ingredients

Vietnamese grilled chicken with salt and chili is a straightforward but delightful dish that mixes the subtle grilled chicken flavor with the robust flavors of salt and chili. The seasoning and spice quantities can be adjusted according to personal preferences.

  • 1 whole chicken (1.5-2 kg)
  • 1 lime, 1 fresh turmeric, 4 ripe chilies, 2 shallots
  • Some kaffir lime leaves
  • Fresh vegetables of your choice
  • 2 tablespoons of fish sauce
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 2 tablespoons of cooking oil
  • 2 teaspoons of sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of seasoning powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper

4.2. Instructions

1. Wash the chicken thoroughly and rub coarse salt all over its body to eliminate any unpleasant odor.
2. Cut and flatten the chicken, press firmly, and fold the chicken backward. Then, use a knife to score the chicken skin.
3. Crush the chilies. Clean and peel fresh turmeric, crush it together with 2 shallots, and then extract the juice.
4. Select fresh vegetables, wash them, soak them in a little salt, and then drain the excess water.
5. Mix the fish sauce, salt, cooking oil, sugar, seasoning powder, black pepper, and crushed chilies in a bowl. Stir until all the spices blend together nicely.
6. Coat the chicken thoroughly with the marinade, inside and out. Let the chicken marinate in a sealed container. To achieve the best results, marinate the chicken in the fridge for at least 3 hours.
7. Grill the marinated chicken on charcoal or use an oven or an air fryer. Turn the chicken regularly and brush on any leftover marinade to keep it moist.

Learn how to make Vietnamese grilled chicken

Learn how to make Vietnamese grilled chicken (Source: Collected)

The finished salt and chili grilled chicken should have a beautiful golden color, a delightful aroma, and a perfect combination of salty, spicy, and sweet flavors. Enjoy this mouthwatering dish with sides like noodles or vermicelli, fresh herbs and vegetables, and pickled vegetables. Dipping sauces that complement this well are fish sauce with lime juice, sugar, and garlic or sweet chili sauce. 

5. Northwest Vietnamese-style grilled chicken

5.1. Ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken (1.4-1.6 kg)
  • 3 teaspoons Sichuan peppercorns
  • 3 Michelia Tonkinensis seeds (“hạt dổi” in Vietnamese)
  • Seasonings: rock salt, seasoning powder, honey, ginger powder, turmeric powder, black pepper, shallots, garlic, chili powder, fresh chilis
  • Herbs: spring onions, mint, perilla leaves, lemon balm, kaffir lime leaves
  • Aluminum foil

5.2. Instructions

1. Clean the chicken, rub it with lime and rock salt, then rinse thoroughly and drain. Leave the chicken whole or flatten it and fold the back. Pierce the breast and thighs to help the spices penetrate easily.
2. Toast 3 teaspoons of Sichuan peppercorns and 3 “hạt dổi” until fragrant.
3. To prepare the marinade, first grind 2 teaspoons of Sichuan peppercorns and 2 lychee seeds. Add the herbs, shallots, garlic, fresh chili, and rock salt. Throw in ginger powder, turmeric powder, black pepper, and chili powder. Add 2 tablespoons of honey and 2 teaspoons of seasoning powder. Then mix everything well.
4. Apply the marinade evenly all over the chicken, then wrap the chicken tightly with aluminum foil (2 layers) and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
5. Preheat the oven to 180-200°C using top and bottom heat. Place the foil-wrapped chicken in the oven and grill for 60 minutes.
6. Remove the foil and place the chicken on the grill over a baking tray. Continue grilling for about 30 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy.
7. Grind rock salt, Sichuan peppercorns, lychee seeds, ginger, garlic, and chili. Add lemon balm, mint, coriander, lemongrass, and seasoning powder. Mix the ingredients to make the dipping sauce.
8. Arrange the grilled chicken on a plate, decorate it with herbs, and serve. 

Don’t hesitate to get your hands dirty when savoring this dish. The best way to enjoy Northeast Vietnam-style grilled chicken is to tear the meat, which adds a comforting feeling.

Follow this Vietnamese grilled chicken recipe

Follow this Vietnamese grilled chicken recipe (Source: Collected)

6. Vietnamese grilled chicken feet with satay

6.1. Ingredients

  • 8 chicken feet
  • Seasonings: 2 tbsp shrimp paste, 2 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tbsp chili sauce, 1/2 tbsp honey or sugar, 1/2 tbsp chili powder, 2 tsp cooking oil, 1/2 tsp salt or shrimp salt, 1/2 tsp seasoning powder
  • Herbs: 4 garlic cloves, 2 lemongrass stalks, 2 dried shallots, 1 piece of ginger

6.2. Instructions

1. Remove the claws from the chicken feet.
2. Soak the chicken feet in a basin of diluted saltwater. Leave them soaked for about 10 minutes to eliminate any odor. Wash the chicken feet several times.
3. Make a shallow cut in each of the feet without severing the skin underneath. You shouldn’t skip this step because it ensures even absorption of spices, quick cooking, and easier bone-picking when eating.
4. Boil a pot of water, add ginger, crushed dried shallots, and lemongrass.
5. Parboil the chicken feet for 1.5-2 minutes, depending on their size. Scoop them out and soak them in ice water to make the chicken feet crispy. Once they have cooled down, take them out and let them dry completely before marinating.
6. Make the marinade by chopping or crushing the garlic, then crushing and finely chopping the lower part of the lemongrass. Mix the shrimp paste, oyster sauce, chili sauce, and honey or sugar. Add chili powder, cooking oil, salt, and seasoning powder to the mix.
7. Place the dried chicken feet in a bowl and pour the prepared mixture over it. Put on gloves and massage the mixture evenly on all sides of the chicken feet.
8. Use plastic wrap to cover the bowl tightly. Place it in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
9. Grill the chicken feet over charcoal or use an oven or air fryer. Occasionally turn and brush any excess marinade onto the chicken feet. Grill until the chicken feet are slightly crispy, golden, and fragrant.

Grilled chicken feet is fantastic with rice or rice noodles, which can also serve as the base for a heaty bowl. Alternatively, you can wrap the chicken feet in crispy greens for a fresh crunch. Pickles veggies are also good to consider to contrast the richness of the chicken feet. 

If you do not want to use chicken feet, you can substitute with chicken wings. The same steps can be applied. 

Enjoy authentic Vietnamese grilled chicken

Enjoy authentic Vietnamese grilled chicken (Source: Collected)

Aside from the Vietnamese grilled chicken dishes above, there are other Vietnamese chicken dishes worth trying: Chicken Pho, Vietnamese fish sauce chicken wings, Vietnamese chicken porridge, Vietnamese chicken curry, Vietnamese chicken salad, Vietnamese chicken rice, etc.

Vietnamese grilled chicken is a tasty dish that can be served in a variety of ways. There are numerous recipes to please your palette, ranging from the fragrant notes of grilled lemongrass chicken to the spicy flavors of grilled chicken with satay. You can make these at home and wow your family and friends. So, why not give one of these traditional Vietnamese grilled chicken recipes a try right now?

Enjoy Vietnamese grilled chicken at Vinpearl 

Enjoy Vietnamese grilled chicken at Vinpearl

You can also sample Vietnamese grilled chicken by embarking on a Vietnam travel journey to places like Hanoi, Hoi An, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc. For accommodations, you can choose Vinpearl hotels and resorts, which offer world-class amenities like restaurants. The talented chefs at Vinpearl can further introduce you to Vietnam’s rich culinary scene. 

To complement your adventures, you can check into entertainment hotspots such as  VinWonders Wave Park & Water Park, VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium, VinWonders Nam Hoi An, VinWonders Nha Trang, and VinWonders Phu Quoc. From thrilling rides to lively shows, there is no shortage of fun things to do here. With or without fellow travelers, you can create cherished memories at these attractions.  

>>> Book tickets to VinWonders Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Nam Hoi An, VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium and VinWonders Wave Park & Water Park to experience all kinds of fun while in Vietnam!

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