Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Salad
If you are a Nashville local, stop what you are doing and head to Vui's Kitchen. This salad is inspired by their original Vui’s salad with lemongrass chicken. This is one of my favorite dishes to order out and also to make. This is my version which my family and friends love. It is such a simple and delicious recipe! I am not always able to find lemongrass at the store, so I always use lemon zest instead. I hope you enjoy!
Chicken Ingredients (makes 4-5 servings):
2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/4 cup lime juice
3 Tbs fish sauce
1 Tbs maple syrup
1 Tbs brown sugar
2 Tbs avocado oil (or other neutral flavored oil)
1 Tbs low-sodium soy sauce or Tamari or coconut aminos
4 garlic cloves
Zest from 2 lemons (or 2 stalks lemongrass if you can find it, tender white parts only)
1 shallot
Dressing Ingredients:
2 bunches Cilantro (leaves only)
2 jalapeño, seeds removed
4 limes, juiced
2 Tbs Avocado oil (or other neutral flavored oil)
1/2 tsp kosher salt
Salad Ingredients:
1/2 head romaine lettuce (or other favorite greens), chopped
1/2 head green cabbage, chopped
1 English cucumber, julienned
1 bag shredded carrots
Cilantro leaves for garnish
Jalapeño slices for garnish
Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions:
Start by preparing the chicken marinade. I usually do this in the morning so the chicken can marinade all day long. Add lime juice, fish sauce, maple syrup, brown sugar, avocado oil, soy sauce, garlic, lemon zest and shallot to a food processor or blender. Puree until smooth.
Add chicken and marinade together in a large ziplock bag. Keep in the fridge for minimum 30 mins. I marinade for about 5 hours.
When you are ready to cook, preheat grill to medium-high heat. Add chicken to grill once hot and grill on each side for about 10 mins until chicken looks golden brown and temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
While chicken is cooking, make the dressing by adding the dressing ingredients to a blender. Blend until smooth. Add more lime juice or salt to your liking.
Prepare the salad ingredients.
When chicken is done, chop into strips.
Top salad with dressing and chopped chicken.
Enjoy!
Tools I love and recommend for this recipe (Affiliate links):
I am so excited for you to try it! If you post a picture, please tag me @RachelMasterKitchen and hashtag #Rachel.Master.Kitchen on instagram!
