Ga Nuong Sa (Lemongrass Grilled Chicken)

Ga nuong sa is lemongrass chicken, grilled the way street vendors do it all over Vietnam. Chicken thighs marinate overnight in lemongrass, fish sauce, and garlic until the flavor goes all the way to the bone. Grilling caramelizes the marinade into a sticky, smoky glaze. It is a staple of family gatherings, where the grill becomes the center of the yard. The marinade is the star, so do not rush it — the longer the chicken sits, the better.

Charred, sticky chicken with lemongrass in every bite

The marinade is salty, sweet, and fragrant, and the grill turns it into a lacquered crust that you want to pick off and eat by itself. The meat stays juicy because of the fat in the thighs, and the edges char just enough to add smoke. Serve with rice, cucumbers, and a bowl of nuoc cham for dipping. Any leftover chicken makes a fantastic banh mi filling the next day. It is the chicken that converts people to grilling with lemongrass.

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This dish leans on the condiments covered in Beginner’s Guide to Asian Sauces & Seasonings.

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