Description
Malaysian spicy lemongrass chicken brings zesty Southeast Asian flavors to your dinner table. Fragrant herbs and bold spices create a delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken thighs or drumsticks, skin-on and bone-in
- 3 stalks lemongrass, trimmed and finely sliced
- 3 red chilies, deseeded for less heat (optional)
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, chopped
- 1 tsp shrimp paste (optional, for authentic flavor)
- 2 tbsps vegetable oil
- ½ cup (120 ml) coconut milk
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp chili paste (or sambal oelek, optional for extra heat)
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp salt, or to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Marination Preparation: Thoroughly coat chicken thighs with soy sauce, turmeric, and salt, allowing flavors to deeply infuse for at least 30 minutes or overnight in refrigerator for enhanced taste profile.
- Spice Blend Creation: Pulverize lemongrass, red chilies, garlic, onion, ginger, and shrimp paste in blender, adding minimal water to achieve a smooth, cohesive paste that captures the essence of Malaysian aromatics.
- Chicken Searing: Heat vegetable oil in large skillet over medium flame, carefully brown marinated chicken pieces until golden caramelization develops on all sides. Remove chicken and set aside, preserving those rich, developed flavors.
- Spice Infusion: In the same skillet, introduce additional oil and entire spice mixture. Sauté meticulously, allowing the paste to release its intoxicating fragrance and oil to separate, creating a robust flavor foundation.
- Sauce Development and Finishing: Blend chili paste, coconut milk, sugar, and seasonings into the spice base. Reintegrate seared chicken, ensuring complete immersion in the luxurious sauce. Simmer gently, transforming the dish into a tender, flavor-packed culinary experience that celebrates Malaysia’s vibrant cuisine.
- Plating and Presentation: Artfully arrange the aromatic chicken on a serving platter, garnish with fresh cilantro, and serve alongside steamed rice and lime wedges to complement the dish’s complex flavor profile.
Notes
- Marinate with Precision: Let chicken absorb spices for at least 30 minutes or overnight to maximize flavor depth and tenderness.
- Blend Smoothly: Use minimal water when grinding spices to create a consistent, fine paste without diluting intense aromatics.
- Control Searing Heat: Medium flame ensures golden-brown chicken crust without burning, developing rich caramelized exterior while maintaining juicy interior.
- Balance Spice Levels: Adjust red chili quantity to personalize heat intensity – reduce chilies for milder version or increase for more aggressive flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Malaysian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg