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Grilled Vietnamese Chicken Thighs with Nuoc cham

Grilled Vietnamese Chicken Thighs with Nuoc Cham

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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Marinating 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Vietnamese
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Grill (charcoal or gas) A charcoal grill gives that deeper, smoky flavor reminiscent of Vietnamese street food, but a gas grill or grill pan works too.
  • Mixing bowls One for the marinade, one for the dipping sauce.
  • Tongs or a grill spatula For flipping the chicken.
  • Zip-top bag or shallow dish To marinate the chicken.
  • Thermometer (optional) Helps ensure the chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature (165°F).
  • Knife and Cutting Board For prepping aromatics and garnishes.
  • Serving platter or wooden board For presentation—Vietnamese dishes are as much about visual appeal as they are about flavor.

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Thighs

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs (you can leave the skin on if preferred for extra crispiness)
  • 3 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce use tamari for a gluten free chicken option
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon lemongrass paste or finely chopped fresh lemongrass
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • Juice of 1 lime

Optional: 1 small Thai chili, finely sliced (for extra heat)

For the Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon sugar adjust to taste
  • 1 garlic clove finely minced
  • 1 red chili thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon shredded carrot optional for texture and color

Garnish

  • Chopped fresh cilantro
  • Sliced scallions
  • Crushed peanuts optional
  • Lime wedges

Instructions
 

Marinate the Chicken

  1. Start by whisking together the fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, lemongrass, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, rice vinegar, black pepper, lime juice, and optional chili in a medium bowl. This marinade is packed with umami and bright citrus flavors—it’s the foundation of this Vietnamese chicken marinade.
  2. Place your chicken thighs in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish, pour the marinade over, seal or cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. For deeper flavor, marinate for up to 8 hours or overnight.

Prepare the Grill

  1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If you're using a charcoal grill, let the coals burn down until they’re glowing and covered with white ash. Oil the grates lightly to prevent sticking.

Grill the Chicken

  1. Remove chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the chicken thighs on the grill and cook for about 6–7 minutes per side, or until they develop a beautiful char and reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Don’t move them too much—let them get that nice caramelized crust.
  2. You’ll smell the sweet, garlicky, slightly smoky aroma as they cook—it’s reminiscent of both thai grilled chicken and classic vietnamese street food stalls.

Make the Nuoc Cham

  1. While the chicken is grilling, whisk together all the ingredients for the nuoc cham in a small bowl. Taste and adjust—it should be tangy, sweet, salty, and just a little spicy. The balance of flavors is key here.

Serve

  1. Once the chicken is done, let it rest for 5 minutes. Slice into strips or leave whole, and serve with a generous drizzle of nuoc cham or in a small bowl on the side. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro, scallions, and peanuts if desired. Serve with lime wedges for an extra pop.