Vietnamese Noodles With Lemongrass Chicken

Easy enough for midweek meals, and a sensational CHEAP meal idea for large groups! Either cook the chicken in large batches on the BBQ, or even bake them, and put out all the toppings in bowls for people to help themselves!

Vietnamese Noodles with Lemongrass Chicken

This is a recipe that has many fond memories associated with it because it’s one of my signature recipes that I make as a meal for large groups. Other than how delicious it is (and the Vietnamese lemongrass marinade really is exceptional!), here’s why it’s one of my all time favourite recipes:

it’s cheap and simple to make can be fully prepared ahead (including the noodles and chopping the vegetables) it’s gluten free (cater for dietary requirements) healthy versatile – use the same marinade for tofu, prawns/shrimp, fish, other meats easy to serve a crowd – chicken can be cooked in large batches on the BBQ, or even baked no assembly – lay all the components out on the table for people to help themselves

Camping, on boats, weekends away, hen’s night – these Vietnamese Noodles with Lemongrass Chicken has made an appearance at many events!

Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken

The entire Vietnamese noodle bowl as a whole is so delicious, but I have to say that the Lemongrass Chicken is the stand out. The marinade is fantastic. The earthy lemony flavour from the lemongrass combined with the garlic and complex savoury flavours from the fish sauce and soy sauce makes a killer flavour that will have your neighbours popping their heads over the fence if you cook this on the outdoor grill!

What goes in Lemongrass Chicken

Here’s what goes in the Lemongrass Chicken. Fresh lemongrass is best here, but if you can’t find it, then lemongrass paste works very well too. I know some people aren’t a fan of fish sauce which is quite pungent smelling in raw form! But it’s really the “secret ingredient” here, it’s got far more complex flavours than soy sauce and adds incredible depth of flavour in the chicken. And don’t worry, it doesn’t taste fishy once cooked! This Vietnamese lemongrass marinade is truly incredible. Everybody raves about it! If you’re allergic to fish sauce, or really can’t get your hands on it (but please try!!), then substitute the fish sauce with more soy sauce but be aware that your marinade will lack the complexity of flavour in real Vietnamese Lemongrass marinades.

Toppings and sauce

And here are the toppings for this Vietnamese Noodles bowl. Lots of fresh vegetables and herbs, and Nuoc Cham, the Vietnamese chilli garlic sauce that makes an appearance alongside everything in Vietnam (I exaggerate not!!). Nuoc Cham is made with fish sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, garlic, chilli, sugar and lime juice. It’s got a wonderful balance of sweet/savoury and tang, and basically makes everything taste better – whether you drizzle or dunk things in it! Feel free to switch up the fresh vegetables! Try snow peas, cabbage, capsicum/bell peppers and other crunchy fresh greens!

How to make it

The making part is very straight forward. You’ll see me cook the chicken on a grill in the video – Lemongrass Chicken is traditionally cooked over charcoal in Vietnam – but you can of course cook it on the stove or even in the oven or under the broiler!

This Vietnamese dish is healthy eating without compromise! To me, these Vietnamese Noodles with Lemongrass Chicken is the epitome of healthy eating without compromise. Low in fat, lots of fresh salads brought to life with bright zingy flavours. The Nuoc Cham sauce has so much flavour, you can scoff down loads of the salad and go light on the chicken and noodles if you’re really wanting to cut down on the calories. And one last tip – the marinated lemongrass chicken is perfect for popping in the freezer. So make a batch right now!! 🙂 – Nagi x

Watch how to make it

Originally published January 2017, updated October 2019 with a brand new spruced up video and new photos!

Get your Vietnamese food fix!

Bun Cha – Vietnamese Meatballs Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls Vietnamese Caramel Pork – another iconic Vietnamese food! Also see the Chicken version. Vietnamese Caramelised Pork Bowls – the super quick version of the above Vietnamese Noodle Salad with Shrimp/Prawns Vietnamese Chicken Salad Browse all Vietnamese recipes

And more of my favourite Asian Chicken marinades

All these are ideal for grilling but can also be cooked on the stove

Real Teriyaki Chicken – on my mother’s Japanese recipe website, RecipeTin Japan. Crispy skin, no oil – way better than westernised versions! Thai Grilled Chicken (Gai Yang) – marinated in a fragrant Thai marinade Thai Coconut Chicken – added richness and flavour from a coconut marinade Asian Chicken – marinated in a great Asian marinade that’s sweet sand savoury Sticky Baked Chinese Chicken Wings – use this marinade on breast and thighs! Chinese Chicken (Char Siu!) – Chinese BBQ chicken