Gà Xào Sả Ớt (Lemongrass and Chili Stir-Fried Chicken)
Local name: Gà xào sả ớt
In short: Bite-size chicken thighs stir-fried with plenty of fresh lemongrass, garlic and chili until golden and sticky, a quick everyday dish for steamed rice. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 380 kcal
Gà xào sả ớt is one of the most common weeknight dishes in Vietnamese homes. Chicken is marinated with minced lemongrass, garlic, chili and a little turmeric, then stir-fried hard so the edges caramelize and the lemongrass turns toasty and fragrant. The sauce is salty, a little sweet and clingy, made for spooning over plain steamed rice. Use fresh lemongrass if you can, as dried or jarred versions lack the same aroma.
Instructions
- Combine the chicken with half the lemongrass, half the garlic, the shallots, 1 tablespoon of the fish sauce, the turmeric, pepper and 1 teaspoon of the sugar. Marinate for 30 minutes.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken in a single layer, in two batches if needed, and leave for 2 minutes to brown.
- Stir-fry for 5 to 6 minutes more, until golden at the edges and cooked through (74°C / 165°F). Lift the chicken out of the wok.
- Add the remaining oil and fry the rest of the lemongrass, the garlic and the chilies for 1 minute, until fragrant and lightly golden.
- Add the onion and cook for 2 minutes. Return the chicken, then add the remaining fish sauce, the soy sauce and the remaining sugar. Toss for 2 to 3 minutes until glazed.
- Stir in the spring onions and serve at once with steamed rice.
Tips
- Use only the tender white and pale green part of the lemongrass and mince it very finely, or the pieces turn woody. Pounding it with the garlic in a mortar works well too.
- Adjust the chilies to taste, and remove the seeds for a milder dish. Chicken breast works, but cut it a bit larger and cook it a minute less.
Questions and answers
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, but thighs stay juicier. If you use breast, cut it into larger pieces and take it off the heat as soon as it is cooked through.
Where can I find fresh lemongrass?
Asian grocery stores and many supermarkets sell fresh stalks. You can freeze them whole for months and mince them straight from frozen.
How spicy is gà xào sả ớt?
It has a medium heat. Use one chili, or remove the seeds, for a mild version, and add more chilies if you like it hot.
How long does it take to make Gà Xào Sả Ớt (Lemongrass and Chili Stir-Fried Chicken)?
About 35 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Gà Xào Sả Ớt (Lemongrass and Chili Stir-Fried Chicken)?
About 380 kcal per serving, with 32 g of protein, 14 g of carbohydrates and 22 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 380 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 32 g |
| Carbohydrates | 14 g |
| Fat | 22 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 1200 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
