Stir-Fried Lemongrass Chicken with Roasted Peanuts

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

Tender chicken stir-fried with fragrant lemongrass and garlic, topped with crunchy roasted peanuts and fresh scallions. This Vietnamese-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 35 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 360 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: 25 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 360 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, toss 1 lb thinly sliced chicken thighs with 2 finely chopped lemongrass stalks, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp fish sauce, and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Let marinate for 20 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 thinly sliced shallots, stir-frying for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add marinated chicken and stir-fry for 6-7 minutes until chicken is cooked through and edges start to brown.
  4. Step 4: Season with 1/2 tsp ground black pepper and adjust seasoning with additional fish sauce or soy sauce if needed.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup roughly chopped roasted peanuts.
  6. Step 6: Transfer to serving plate and garnish with 3 sliced scallions and 1 thinly sliced red chili if using. Serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Lemongrass Chicken with Roasted Peanuts take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (25 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 Stir-Fried Lemongrass Chicken with Roasted Peanuts?

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 thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Lemongrass Chicken with Roasted Peanuts?

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 Stir-Fried Lemongrass Chicken with Roasted Peanuts 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 Stir-Fried Lemongrass Chicken with Roasted Peanuts?

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.

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