Sauteed Lemongrass Chicken with Fresh Herbs

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken thighs sautéed with fragrant lemongrass and fresh herbs, delivering a bright and savory Vietnamese-inspired flavor. This vietnamese-inspired chicken ready in about 45 minutes pairs boneless chicken thighs, finely minced lemongrass stalks, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.

Prep: 35 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 280 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 1 lb boneless chicken thighs and cut into 1-inch pieces. In a bowl, combine 2 minced lemongrass stalks, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 thinly sliced shallots, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp sugar. Marinate the chicken in this mixture for at least 30 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated chicken pieces along with the aromatics and sauté for 6-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until the chicken is cooked through and slightly caramelized.
  3. Step 3: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves. Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing over the top.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sauteed Lemongrass Chicken with Fresh Herbs take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (35 min prep + 10 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 Sauteed Lemongrass Chicken with Fresh Herbs?

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 boneless chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sauteed Lemongrass Chicken with Fresh Herbs?

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 Sauteed Lemongrass Chicken with Fresh Herbs 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 Sauteed Lemongrass Chicken with Fresh Herbs?

Vietnamese chicken 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.

Related recipes