Looking for a flavorful chicken dinner that feels a little different from the usual weeknight routine? This Lemongrass Chicken pairs tender chicken breast with a creamy coconut basil sauce infused with fresh lemongrass, green curry paste, shallots, and mild green chiles. Served with white rice and steamed broccoli, it makes a colorful, satisfying meal with bright citrus notes and rich, aromatic flavor.
The secret to this recipe is the sauce. Fresh lemongrass brings a distinctive lemony aroma, while coconut milk creates a smooth, creamy base. Green curry paste adds layers of savory flavor, and fresh basil and lemon juice brighten everything up. Mild green chiles contribute flavor without making the dish overwhelmingly spicy.
How to Prepare Lemongrass Chicken
Start by trimming the lemongrass and breaking down its tough fibers with a meat mallet. Remove the hard outer layers and use the tender portion for the best texture. Sauté the lemongrass with chopped shallots and drained green chiles until softened and fragrant. Let the mixture cool slightly before blending it with coconut milk, green curry paste, basil, lemon juice, salt, and garlic powder.
Warm the blended sauce gently in a saucepan while you prepare the chicken. Butterflying and pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness helps them cook more consistently. Season the chicken and cook it in a hot grill pan, checking that the thickest part reaches 165°F for food safety.
Serve each piece of chicken over cooked white rice with steamed broccoli, then spoon the warm coconut basil sauce over the top. A sturdy meat mallet can help prepare the chicken evenly and break down the lemongrass fibers.
What to Serve with Lemongrass Chicken
Rice and broccoli are simple, dependable accompaniments that let the sauce shine. For more variety, serve this dinner with crunchy Asian slaw or pair it with another favorite from your Asian recipes collection.
With its fragrant herbs, creamy sauce, and straightforward preparation, this lemongrass chicken is a welcome option when you want a homemade dinner with plenty of flavor.
Other good things to serve along side are Sriracha and SPAM Fried Rice, some fresh, crunchy Asian Slaw or some tasty Spicy Shrimp and Pineapple Fried Rice.
Print
Lemongrass Chicken
- Total Time: :35
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb. of chicken breast, boneless, skinless, butterflied and pounded ½ inch thick
- 4 lemongrass stalks
- 1 can (4 oz.) mild green chiles, chopped and drained
- 2 shallots, chopped
- 1 ½ Tbsp. green curry paste
- 13 oz. coconut milk, full fat
- 1 tsp. Salt
- 1 – 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 tsp. Fresh lemon juice
- 8 large basil leaves, chopped
- ½ tsp. Garlic powder
- 2 cups organic broccoli florets, steamed
- 1 ½ cups white rice, cooked
Instructions
- Trim the lemongrass on both ends and pound it with a meat tenderizer to break down the fibers. Then slice the lemongrass into small pieces.
- Timing is important in this dish, so prepare the white rice according to package instructions and keep warm.
- Steam the broccoli florets and time it so that it will be fork tender about the time the chicken is done grilling, about 8 minutes or so.
- Place the olive oil in a medium nonstick or ceramic frying pan over medium heat. Add the lemongrass, chopped shallot and the diced green chiles and saute for 10 to 12 minutes. Lower the temperature if it gets too hot and stir frequently. Let this cool for 5 min.
- Once the lemongrass has cooled a bit, add the following to a blender: Lemongrass/shallot mixture, Green curry paste, Salt, Garlic powder, Coconut milk, Lemon juice and Basil, remember to not chop this up until you are ready to add to blender.
- Blend this up until it is completely smooth and pour it into a saucepan over low heat to get it nice and hot.
- Heat up a grill pan over medium high heat and place the chicken breast on the pan. Season with salt and garlic powder.
- Grill the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes per side or until the chicken is no longer pink inside.
- Once the chicken is done it is time to plate up this delicious meal. Place some white rice on a plate, followed by some steamed broccoli and then a slice of chicken breast. Spoon the coconut basil sauce over all and enjoy!
- Prep Time: :15
- Cook Time: :20
- Category: Entree
- Method: Stove Top