Nguyen's Lemongrass Chicken Stir-Fry
A vibrant Asian dish with tender chicken, fragrant lemongrass, and crisp vegetables, honoring the most common Vietnamese surname in the U.S. This asian ready in about 32 minutes pairs pound, thinly sliced chicken breast, stalks, finely minced lemongrass, tablespoons fish sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 pound, thinly sliced chicken breast
- 2 stalks, finely minced lemongrass
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon, grated ginger
- 1 medium, sliced bell peppers
- 1 cup snap peas
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 cups cooked rice
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Whisk together minced lemongrass, 2 tablespoons fish sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1 tablespoon soy sauce in a bowl. Add sliced chicken and marinate for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 1 teaspoon sesame oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering, then add minced garlic and grated ginger, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add marinated chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes until no longer pink, then push chicken to the side of the wok and add sliced bell peppers and snap peas. Stir-fry for 3 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender and vibrant green.
- Step 4: Return chicken to the wok, toss with all ingredients, and cook for 1 more minute until heated through. Serve immediately over cooked rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Nguyen's Lemongrass Chicken Stir-Fry take to make?
Total time is about 32 minutes (20 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Nguyen's Lemongrass Chicken Stir-Fry?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep tablespoons fish sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Nguyen's Lemongrass Chicken Stir-Fry?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Nguyen's Lemongrass Chicken Stir-Fry for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Nguyen's Lemongrass Chicken Stir-Fry?
Asian asian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Best recipe I've made this month.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.