National Dish Vietnam: Lemongrass Chilli Chicken (Recipe)
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Bring the vibrant flavours of Vietnam to your table with Ga Xao Sa Ot, a fragrant stir-fry of tender chicken, fresh lemongrass and fiery chilli. Hot, savoury and wonderfully aromatic, this everyday favourite captures the bold, balanced character of Vietnamese cooking in a single pan. Lovers of South-East Asian food will find it impossible to resist — and it comes together quickly enough for a busy weeknight.
About Lemongrass Chilli Chicken
Ga Xao Sa Ot is a traditional Vietnamese dish that wins people over with its bold, spicy and savoury profile. It brings the bright, citrusy notes of lemongrass and the heat of fresh chilli beautifully to the fore, making for a real feast of flavour. Fans of Asian cuisine simply cannot get enough of this classic, and there are few dishes that reflect the variety of Vietnam quite as well. Quick to prepare and endlessly satisfying, it is a staple of home kitchens across the country.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 300g chicken breast
- 2 stalks lemongrass
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2–3 spring onions
- 1 red chilli
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Shopping for the ingredients
When shopping for this dish, it is worth choosing fresh, high-quality produce to get the best results. The lemongrass, the chilli and the chicken in particular should be as fresh as possible. Most of the ingredients are easy to find in a well-stocked supermarket or an Asian grocery, where you will also come across the special fish sauces that give the dish its distinctive flavour.
Preparing the dish
Before you start cooking, get all your ingredients ready. Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and slice the lemongrass into fine rings. Finely chop the garlic and the chilli, and cut the spring onions into rings too. A little groundwork like this keeps the cooking process smooth and fast, since this is a dish that comes together in minutes once the pan is hot.
Step-by-step instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a pan and briefly fry the lemongrass and garlic until fragrant.
- Add the chicken pieces and cook until golden brown.
- Stir in the chilli and the spring onions, mixing everything together well.
- Add the fish sauce, the sugar and a little salt and pepper, then let it simmer briefly.
- Serve the dish hot, with rice or fresh vegetables alongside.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
This dish is easy to make gluten-free and is naturally lactose-free. Simply choose a gluten-free fish sauce, as the remaining ingredients are already free of gluten and dairy by nature. That makes Ga Xao Sa Ot an excellent choice for anyone with intolerances, with no need to compromise on flavour or authenticity.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
For a vegan or vegetarian version, swap the chicken for tofu or seitan. A mix of different vegetables such as peppers, broccoli and carrots also works beautifully with the rest of the ingredients, giving the dish a fresh, colourful new twist. Be sure to use a vegan fish-sauce alternative so the savoury depth stays intact.
More tips and tricks
To deepen the flavour even further, marinate the chicken pieces before cooking in a mixture of lemon juice, fish sauce and a little sugar. Leave the marinade to work for at least 30 minutes for a particularly aromatic result. A splash of coconut milk can also be added towards the end to lend the dish a creamier consistency.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
Season this dish exactly to your liking. If you enjoy plenty of heat, add more chilli; for a milder version, simply cut back on the amount or leave it out altogether. It is often worth experimenting with fresh herbs such as coriander or mint to discover new layers of flavour, in the same spirit as the herb-laden Goi Cuon Tom Thit.
Ingredient substitutions
If you cannot track down certain ingredients, there are a few handy alternatives. Lemongrass can be replaced with lemon zest and a little ginger, while soy sauce can stand in for fish sauce, though it brings a slightly different flavour. The key is to keep the core notes of the dish intact, much as you would with a related stir-fry like Ot Xao Toi or the chicken-based Ga Chien Mam.
Drink pairing ideas
A dish as aromatic as this one pairs especially well with fruity white wines or light rosés. A well-chilled Asian beer is another excellent match. For non-alcoholic options, ginger lemonade or freshly brewed jasmine tea both complement the bright, spicy flavours nicely.
Serving and presentation ideas
An attractive presentation can heighten the whole experience. Serve the dish in deep, handsome bowls and garnish it with fresh herbs and a scattering of sesame seeds. Colourful vegetable sides also look the part and round off the overall picture. Reach for chopsticks for a truly authentic feel at the table.
A bit of history
Ga Xao Sa Ot holds a firm place in Vietnamese cuisine, where it is a much-loved everyday dish. Originally from the south of the country, it quickly grew into a nationwide favourite. The pairing of lemongrass and chilli is typical of many dishes from this region and captures the culinary variety of Vietnam — a tradition you can explore further across Vietnamese cuisine.
More recipe ideas
Summary: Lemongrass Chilli Chicken
Ga Xao Sa Ot is a culinary highlight of Vietnamese cooking, winning hearts with its spicy, aromatic character. With fresh ingredients and a handful of simple steps, anyone can recreate this authentic dish at home. Spicy or mild, with chicken or made vegan — Ga Xao Sa Ot has a version for every taste. Give it a try and bring a little piece of Vietnam to your plate.
