Charred Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-01 · Updated 2026-05-01

Tender chicken marinated in lemongrass and garlic, grilled to smoky perfection and served with a tangy Vietnamese fish sauce dipping sauce. This Vietnamese recipe, ready in about 27 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, lemongrass stalks, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs, boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces chicken thighs
• 3 stalks, finely minced lemongrass stalks
• 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 3 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 8, soaked in water for 30 minutes wooden skewers
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp, optional chopped fresh chili
• 1 tsp for dipping sauce minced garlic

The instant-read thermometer we’d check this chicken with → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1.5 lbs chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces with 3 stalks finely minced lemongrass, 4 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, and 1 tsp black pepper. Mix thoroughly and marinate for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
2. Step 2: Meanwhile, prepare nuoc cham dipping sauce by stirring together 1/4 cup water, 2 tbsp lime juice, 2 tsp sugar, 1 tsp minced garlic, and 1 tsp chopped fresh chili if desired. Set aside.
3. Step 3: Thread marinated chicken pieces onto 8 soaked wooden skewers, leaving a little space between pieces.
4. Step 4: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill chicken skewers for 3-4 minutes per side until nicely charred and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
5. Step 5: Serve hot chicken skewers alongside the prepared nuoc cham dipping sauce for dipping.