Air Fryer Lemongrass Chicken
This vibrant Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken recipe brings the authentic flavors of Southeast Asia right to your kitchen. Made effortlessly in the air fryer, the chicken turns out incredibly tender and juicy, infused with aromatic lemongrass, garlic, and a hint of sweetness. Serve it with a classic Vietnamese fish dipping sauce (Nuoc Cham) for an unforgettable meal that's both healthy and bursting with flavor.
Ingredients
- 500 g boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 2 stalks lemongrass tough outer layers removed
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 inch ginger grated
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- fresh cilantro chopped for garnish
- Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese Fish Dipping Sauce) for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the minced lemongrass, garlic, grated ginger, fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, vegetable oil, sesame oil, and black pepper.
- Marinate: Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, tossing to ensure all pieces are well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably 2-4 hours for deeper flavor.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
- Cook Chicken: Arrange the marinated chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd it. You may need to cook in batches.
- Air Fry: Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through, until it is cooked through and lightly charred. Cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model and chicken piece size.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve immediately with warm rice, vermicelli noodles, or a fresh salad, accompanied by Vietnamese fish dipping sauce (Nuoc Cham).
Notes
For best flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight. If you don't have an air fryer, you can grill or bake the chicken. Serve with rice, vermicelli noodles, or a fresh salad. Adjust chili to taste for more heat in the dipping sauce.