Steamed Ginger-Lemongrass Chicken with Lime Dressing
Tender steamed chicken infused with fragrant lemongrass and ginger, served with a tangy lime dressing for a revitalizing dish. This Vietnamese-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs chicken breasts, lemongrass stalks, fresh ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 240 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
- 4 pieces, skinless and boneless chicken breasts
- 2, bruised and chopped lemongrass stalks
- 1 tbsp, thinly sliced fresh ginger
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 2 tbsp chopped green onions
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Equipment for this recipe
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Instructions
- Step 1: Place 4 skinless boneless chicken breasts in a shallow steaming dish. Scatter 2 bruised and chopped lemongrass stalks, 1 tbsp thinly sliced fresh ginger, and 3 minced garlic cloves evenly over the chicken.
- Step 2: Steam the chicken over boiling water for 15-18 minutes until cooked through and tender, with steam infusing the aromatics.
- Step 3: In a bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp fish sauce, and 1 tbsp brown sugar until sugar dissolves to create a tangy dressing.
- Step 4: Once chicken is cooked, slice it thinly and drizzle with the lime dressing. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped cilantro and 2 tbsp chopped green onions for a stimulating burst of freshness.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Steamed Ginger-Lemongrass Chicken with Lime Dressing take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Steamed Ginger-Lemongrass Chicken with Lime Dressing?
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 chicken breasts from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Steamed Ginger-Lemongrass Chicken with Lime Dressing?
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 Steamed Ginger-Lemongrass Chicken with Lime Dressing 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 Steamed Ginger-Lemongrass Chicken with Lime Dressing?
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.
