Home cooks can now easily craft authentic Vietnamese-style grilled lemongrass chicken thighs using a quick blender technique that streamlines preparation while maximizing traditional flavors.

The Blender Nuoc Cham Secret

This streamlined recipe unlocks rich culinary depth by utilizing a blender-made nuoc cham for double duty as both a powerful marinade and a finishing dressing. While raw lemongrass is notoriously fibrous and tough to chop by hand, heavy machinery makes fast work of the woody stalks, grinding them into a fine purée that thoroughly infuses the meat.

Delicious Ways to Serve Lemongrass Chicken

For a classic main course, present the freshly grilled chicken over soft rice noodles or a bed of steamed rice. The versatile protein also adapts remarkably well to portable midday meals.

How to Build a Vietnamese-Style Sandwich

To elevate your lunch, slice a warmed hoagie roll in half and apply a spread of butter or mayonnaise blended with a spoonful of oyster sauce. Layer the sandwich with cold or room-temperature grilled chicken, crisp ribbons of carrot and cucumber, fresh cilantro sprigs, and a dash of hot sauce, such as sriracha.

Broiler Alternative for Indoor Cooking

An outdoor grill is not required to achieve great results with this dish. If grilling is not an option, place the marinated chicken thighs directly under your oven broiler and cook until beautifully charred in spots and cooked through.