Easy Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
Easy Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce are a Better Than Takeout meal that’s quick, delicious, and packed with flavor. After making this recipe dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to tender, juicy chicken that’s bursting with lemongrass aroma. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy No Bake Orange Creamsicle Truffles Recipe and Easy Crab Rangoon Pinwheels with Puff Pastry.
Why This Easy Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- Juicy chicken marinated in a flavorful lemongrass mixture
- Grilled to perfection with beautiful char marks
- Creamy peanut dipping sauce that complements the chicken perfectly
- A quick and easy weeknight dinner that's better than takeout
What You'll Need for Easy Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Chicken breasts
- Lemongrass
- Garlic
- Fish sauce
- Sugar
- Peanut butter
- Soy sauce
- Lime juice
- Lemongrass
- Garlic
- Fish sauce
- Sugar
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Cilantro
- Optional: Green onions
- Optional: Roasted peanuts
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Lemongrass: Use only the tender white parts and finely chop or blend for a smooth marinade.
- Fish sauce: Substitute with soy sauce or tamari for a gluten-free option.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Immersion blender — Makes quick work of blending the lemongrass marinade and peanut sauce. → See on Amazon
- Grill pan or grill — Achieves beautiful char marks and helps prevent the chicken from sticking. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
- Prepare the marinade: Blend lemongrass, garlic, fish sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth. Add chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Prepare the peanut sauce: Blend peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, and water until smooth. Add more water to reach desired consistency.
- Grill the chicken: Thread marinated chicken onto skewers and grill for 6-8 minutes, turning once, until cooked through.
- Serve: Garnish with cilantro, green onions, and roasted peanuts. Serve with peanut sauce for dipping.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
- Common mistake and fix: Overcooking can make the chicken dry. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Pro tip: For extra flavor, add a splash of Sriracha or chili garlic sauce to the marinade.
- Pro tip: Make ahead: Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance and store in the refrigerator until ready to grill.
Storing & Reheating Easy Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover chicken and peanut sauce separately in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Marinate chicken up to 24 hours in advance.
Freezing Easy Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
Freeze cooked chicken skewers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and reheat skewers for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat chicken skewers in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, then broil for 2-3 minutes to crisp up the outside.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy version, add sliced jalapeños to the marinade.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken breasts with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for even more tender results.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the marinade and peanut sauce up to 2 days in advance. Store separately in the refrigerator.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the peanut sauce is too thick, add more water and blend until smooth.
Want to level up this recipe?
Meat thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked, juicy chicken every time. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Chicken breasts
- Lemongrass
- Garlic
- Fish sauce
- Sugar
- Peanut butter
- Soy sauce
- Lime juice
Seasonings
- Lemongrass
- Garlic
- Fish sauce
- Sugar
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Cilantro
- Green onions
- Roasted peanuts
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: Blend lemongrass, garlic, fish sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth. Add chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Prepare the peanut sauce: Blend peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, and water until smooth. Add more water to reach desired consistency.
- Grill the chicken: Thread marinated chicken onto skewers and grill for 6-8 minutes, turning once, until cooked through.
- Serve: Garnish with cilantro, green onions, and roasted peanuts. Serve with peanut sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy version, add sliced jalapeños to the marinade.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken breasts with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for even more tender results.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the marinade and peanut sauce up to 2 days in advance. Store separately in the refrigerator.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the peanut sauce is too thick, add more water and blend until smooth.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover chicken and peanut sauce separately in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken skewers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and reheat skewers for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat chicken skewers in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, then broil for 2-3 minutes to crisp up the outside.
- Make ahead: Marinate chicken up to 24 hours in advance.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 75mg
- Sat. Fat: 3g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce FAQs
Yes, thread the marinated chicken onto skewers and place on a baking sheet. Broil for 6-8 minutes, turning once, until cooked through.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry chicken. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) but not much more.
Yes, store the peanut sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in the microwave before serving.
Serve with steamed jasmine rice, noodles, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve more people. You can also prepare the marinade and peanut sauce in advance to save time.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
