Vietnamese Ginger Chicken Dinner Recipe
This Vietnamese ginger chicken dinner recipe features a bold and balanced flavor profile with hints of soy, ginger, and lime, making it perfect for a midweek dinner. The versatile marinade complements chicken thighs but can also enhance other proteins like fish or pork, offering a quick and flavorful solution for weeknight meals.
Equipment
- Rimmed baking sheet
- Aluminum foil
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon Asian fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons peanut oil
- Grated zest and juice of 1 lime plus ½ lime for serving
- 1 1- inch piece fresh ginger peeled and finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
- Pinch of red chili flakes
Serving Options:
- Cooked rice or rice noodles
- Fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Dry and Season the Chicken: Use paper towels to pat the chicken thighs dry, then sprinkle them evenly with the kosher salt.
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large mixing bowl, combine the fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, peanut oil, lime zest and juice, fresh ginger, garlic, and red chili flakes. Stir everything together until well mixed. Add the chicken to the bowl and toss it thoroughly to ensure all pieces are evenly coated in the marinade. Cover the bowl loosely with plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. For deeper flavor, refrigerate the marinated chicken for several hours or overnight.
- Preheat the Broiler: Position an oven rack as close to the broiler as possible and set the broiler to high.
- Broil the Chicken: Cover a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and arrange the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer on the sheet. Place the baking sheet under the broiler and cook for 5–7 minutes on each side. Flip the chicken halfway through to ensure even charring and a nicely caramelized exterior.
- Serve and Garnish: Transfer the cooked chicken to plates or serving bowls, and serve it over rice or rice noodles. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice and garnish with chopped cilantro leaves for a fresh, vibrant touch.
Notes
- This marinade also pairs wonderfully with fish like salmon or tuna and is excellent for pork tenderloin. Adjust cooking times accordingly for different proteins.
- For a lighter option, substitute chicken thighs with chicken breast cutlets and reduce broiling time to 2–3 minutes per side.
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