Easy Better Than Takeout Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
Easy, better than takeout Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce. After making this many times, I’ve mastered the perfect balance of lemongrass and garlic for a crispy, juicy chicken skewer that’s better than takeout. The trick I discovered is marinating the chicken in lemongrass, garlic, and fish sauce for maximum flavor. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Cups and Crispy Keto Zucchini Parmesan Fritters with Sour Cream Dip.
Why This Easy Better Than Takeout Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- Better than takeout flavor at home
- Easy, 30-minute weeknight dinner
- Crispy, juicy chicken skewers with a rich peanut sauce
- Versatile, serve with noodles, rice, or salad
What You'll Need for Easy Better Than Takeout 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
- Peanut butter
- Soy sauce
- Honey
- Lemongrass
- Garlic
- Fish sauce
- Soy sauce
- Honey
- Sriracha (optional)
- Lime juice
- Optional: Fresh cilantro
- Optional: Green onions
- Optional: Roasted peanuts
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts: Cut into 1-inch pieces for easy skewering
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Meat thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked chicken every time → See on Amazon
- Skewers — Reusable and durable for easy grilling → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Better Than Takeout Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
- Marinate: Combine chicken, lemongrass, garlic, and fish sauce. Marinate for 30 minutes.
- Prepare skewers: Thread chicken onto skewers. Brush with oil.
- Grill: Grill for 8-10 minutes, turning once, until cooked through.
- Make sauce: Mix peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, and lime juice. Add water to thin.
- Serve: Serve chicken skewers with peanut sauce and garnish with cilantro and green onions.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Better Than Takeout Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Pro tip: For extra flavor, grill the skewers over indirect heat for a smoky taste.
- Pro tip: Make extra sauce and use it as a dipping sauce for spring rolls or noodles.
Storing & Reheating Easy Better Than Takeout Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours ahead.
Freezing Easy Better Than Takeout Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
Freeze uncooked skewers for up to 2 months. Thaw before grilling.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: To make lemongrass paste, blend lemongrass stalks in a food processor until smooth.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken with firm tofu for a vegetarian version.
- Make-ahead: Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours ahead.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the peanut sauce is too thick, add more water and blend until smooth.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-speed blender — Makes smooth, creamy peanut sauce in seconds → Check price on Amazon
Easy Better Than Takeout Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Chicken breasts
- Lemongrass
- Garlic
- Fish sauce
- Peanut butter
- Soy sauce
- Honey
Seasonings
- Lemongrass
- Garlic
- Fish sauce
- Soy sauce
- Honey
- Sriracha (optional)
- Lime juice
Optional Toppings
- Fresh cilantro
- Green onions
- Roasted peanuts
Instructions
- Marinate: Combine chicken, lemongrass, garlic, and fish sauce. Marinate for 30 minutes.
- Prepare skewers: Thread chicken onto skewers. Brush with oil.
- Grill: Grill for 8-10 minutes, turning once, until cooked through.
- Make sauce: Mix peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, and lime juice. Add water to thin.
- Serve: Serve chicken skewers with peanut sauce and garnish with cilantro and green onions.
Notes
- Chef tip: To make lemongrass paste, blend lemongrass stalks in a food processor until smooth.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken with firm tofu for a vegetarian version.
- Make-ahead: Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours ahead.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the peanut sauce is too thick, add more water and blend until smooth.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze uncooked skewers for up to 2 months. Thaw before grilling.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 90mg
- Sat. Fat: 3g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Better Than Takeout Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce FAQs
Yes, marinate the chicken up to 24 hours ahead. Cook just before serving.
Overcooking is the most common reason. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C).
Yes, freeze uncooked skewers for up to 2 months. Thaw before grilling.
Yes, broil the skewers for 8-10 minutes, turning once, until cooked through.
Use 1 tablespoon of lemongrass paste or 2 tablespoons of lemon zest and juice for a similar flavor.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Better Than Takeout 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!
