Vietnamese Grilled Chicken: What Makes This So Special? 🤩
What sets this Vietnamese grilled chicken apart from the usual? Well, it’s all in the marinade. Vietnamese cooking often balances salty, sweet, sour, and umami flavours to perfection, and this recipe is no exception. Fish sauce brings that signature salty depth, honey adds a touch of sweetness, and the fresh lime juice brings a bright zing that ties everything together. 🧄🍯🍋
The magic doesn’t stop there! By cooking the chicken in an air fryer, you’re getting crispy, charred chicken without needing to fire up the BBQ or drown it in oil. It’s healthier and faster, with that perfect crunch we all crave!
Pro Tip For The Best Vietnamese Grilled Chicken!
For the ultimate Vietnamese grilled chicken, the quality of your ingredients is key! Here are some tips on what to use:
- Fish Sauce: Opt for a premium Vietnamese brand like Red Boat or Three Crabs. A good fish sauce is rich, deep, and free from any funky aftertaste. This is the cornerstone of your marinade!
- Honey: Make sure to use pure honey (no additives or artificial sweeteners) for a natural sweetness that caramelises beautifully when cooked. 🍯
- Chicken: Skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs are your best bet. Thighs are juicier and more forgiving than breasts, and the skin crisps up perfectly in the air fryer. If you’re going for a lighter option, boneless works too!
Marinade Magic 🥄
One of the best parts about this Vietnamese Grilled Chicken recipe is how quick it is to whip up the marinade. It’s as simple as mixing up a few ingredients—crushed garlic and ginger, honey, fish sauce, salt, white pepper, and lime juice. Give it a good stir, and your marinade is ready to work its magic!
Here’s a little secret: the longer you let the chicken marinate, the better. Let those thighs sit in the fridge for at least 1 hour, but if you have time, overnight is even better. The flavours will soak into the meat, giving you the most succulent, flavour-packed chicken you’ve ever tasted. 🤤
Cooking Time in the Air Fryer ⏲️
Now, the real magic happens in the air fryer. Set it to 180°C, and let it do its thing for about 20 minutes. Make sure to flip the chicken halfway through—this is how you get that even, crispy char all around. 🔄
As the chicken cooks, your kitchen will be filled with the most incredible aromas. That blend of fish sauce, honey, and lime will make your mouth water, and by the time those 20 minutes are up, you’ll be ready to dive into this delicious Vietnamese Grilled Chicken!
Serving Suggestions 🍽️
This Vietnamese grilled chicken is super versatile and can be served in so many delicious ways. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- With rice: The classic pairing. Steamed jasmine rice is the perfect base for soaking up all that savoury marinade. 🍚
- With vermicelli noodles: Toss the noodles with fresh herbs, cucumber, and pickled veggies, then top with the grilled chicken for a light, refreshing meal.
- In a Banh Mi: Slice up the grilled chicken and stuff it into a crispy baguette with pickled carrots, cucumber, and coriander for a fusion twist on the classic Vietnamese sandwich. 🥖
- On a salad: For a lighter option, serve the chicken on a bed of greens with a lime-based dressing. Add some roasted peanuts for extra crunch! 🥗
Pairing Ideas 🍷
When it comes to pairing, you can’t go wrong with something refreshing to balance out the strong flavours of this vietnamese grilled chicken:
- A crisp, dry white wine like a Sauvignon Blanc will cut through the richness of the dish.
- Beer: A cold lager or pilsner pairs perfectly with the salty-sweet notes of the marinade. 🍺
- Iced tea: For a non-alcoholic option, Vietnamese iced tea with a splash of lime is super refreshing and a great complement to the dish. 🧊
Similar Recipes You’ll Love 😍
If this Vietnamese Grilled Chicken recipe has you drooling for more, here are a few other dishes you’ve got to try next:
I’d love to see how your Air Fryer Vietnamese Grilled Chicken turns out! Snap a pic and share your creations with me over on Instagram @steph_cooks_stuff. 📸 Let’s keep spreading the love for good food!
Happy cooking, everyone! 👩🍳
Vietnamese Grilled Chicken
- Total Time: 90
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
🍗 Air Fryer Vietnamese Grilled Chicken 🍗
Hey there, foodies! 🌟 Today, I’m super excited to share a scrumptious recipe with you: Air Fryer Vietnamese Grilled Chicken! 🐔 It’s a game-changer for your taste buds and oh-so-easy to make. Let’s dive in!
Ingredients
Instructions
- First things first, let’s create our magical marinade! 🌈 Combine the garlic, ginger, honey, fish sauce, salt, white pepper, and lime juice in a bowl.
- Next, bathe those chicken thighs in the marinade. Make sure they’re well coated. 🍗 Let them soak up the flavors for 1 hour. Patience is key here!
- Ready for some air frying action? Place the marinated chicken thighs in your air fryer. Set it to 180C and cook for 20 mins. Don’t forget to flip them halfway through! This is crucial for that perfect golden char. 😍
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Australian
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Just be mindful that chicken breasts can dry out more easily. Keep an eye on them and reduce the cooking time by 5 minutes or so.
No worries! You can grill the chicken on a BBQ or even roast it in the oven. Set your oven to 200°C and bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through for an even cook.
Yes! You can freeze the chicken in the marinade for up to 3 months. Just make sure to thaw it in the fridge overnight before cooking.