Grilled Lemongrass Chicken & Noodles Recipe – Sambal Oelek & Fish Sauce

Last Updated on 2 months by Neha Deshmukh

Grilled Lemongrass Chicken & Noodles Recipe – Sambal Oelek & Fish Sauce

Introduction

Oh, this recipe! It’s one I absolutely adore, and it always transports me back to a little street food stall I stumbled upon during a trip to Southeast Asia. The aroma of lemongrass and grilling chicken… seriously, it’s heaven. I’ve been tweaking this Grilled Lemongrass Chicken & Noodles recipe for years to get it just right, and I’m so excited to finally share it with you. It’s a little bit of effort, but trust me – the explosion of flavors is totally worth it!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This isn’t just another chicken dish. It’s a vibrant, flavorful experience. The chicken is incredibly tender and fragrant thanks to the lemongrass and shallot marinade. Then you’ve got the slightly sweet, spicy, and savory dipping sauce that ties everything together. And the noodles? Perfectly chewy and coated in that amazing sauce. It’s a complete meal that’s both satisfying and exciting for your tastebuds.

Ingredients

• 4 lb chicken or 4 lbs chicken parts
• 2 large shallots
• 2 lemongrass stalks
• 3 garlic cloves
• 2 Tbsp fish sauce
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sambal oelek
• 0.5 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
• 0.5 juice lemon
• 0.5 cup vegetable oil
• 2 Tbsp ginger
• 2 garlic cloves
• 0.5 green chili
• 1 tsp sambal oelek
• 0.25 cup fish sauce
• 0.25 cup water
• 1 juice lime
• 4 Tbsp sugar
• 8 oz broad rice noodles
• 2 green onions
• 0.25 red pepper
• 1-2 green chilies
• 1 handful cilantro
• 1 handful mint
• Chopped peanuts
• 3 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 0.33 cup ginger lime dipping sauce

Ingredient Notes

Chicken & Marinade Specifics
I prefer using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for this recipe – they stay super moist during grilling. But you can absolutely use chicken breasts, drumsticks, or a mix! Just adjust the grilling time accordingly.

Lemongrass & Shallot Preparation
Fresh lemongrass is key here. Look for stalks that are firm and fragrant. You’ll want to bruise the lemongrass stalks to release their aroma – give them a good whack with the back of a knife. Shallots are milder than onions, so don’t skip them!

Understanding Sambal Oelek
Sambal oelek is a chili paste that adds a wonderful kick. It’s not overwhelmingly spicy, but it does have a nice heat. You can find it at most Asian grocery stores, or even online.

Fish Sauce – The Umami Key
Don’t be scared of fish sauce! It adds a savory, umami flavor that’s essential to Southeast Asian cuisine. A little goes a long way, so start with the amount listed and adjust to your taste.

Rice Noodles – Choosing the Right Type
Broad rice noodles (also called pho noodles) are traditional for this dish. They have a lovely chewy texture. Make sure you don’t overcook them – they should be al dente.

Step-By-Step Instructions

First things first, let’s get that chicken marinating. Joint the chicken into 12 pieces. In a bowl, combine the shallots, lemongrass, garlic, fish sauce, soy sauce, sambal oelek, pepper, lemon juice, and oil. Add the chicken and make sure it’s well coated. You can marinate it for up to 2 hours in the fridge – the longer, the better!

While the chicken marinates, let’s whip up the dipping sauce. In a separate bowl, combine the ginger, garlic, chili, sambal oelek, fish sauce, water, lime juice, and sugar. Give it a good stir and let it sit for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld. Trust me, patience is a virtue here!

Now for the grilling! Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the chicken on the grill over indirect heat for about 25 minutes, turning occasionally. Then, move it over high heat for a few minutes per side to get those beautiful char marks.

While the chicken is grilling, prepare the noodles. Soak the rice noodles in hot water for 40-45 minutes, or until softened. Drain them well and stir-fry them in a little oil. Toss with about 1/3 cup of the dipping sauce, green onions, red pepper, and chilies.

Finally, it’s time to assemble! Plate the noodles and top with the grilled chicken. Garnish generously with cilantro, mint, and chopped peanuts. Don’t forget to serve with extra dipping sauce on the side!

Expert Tips

• Don’t overcrowd the grill – this will lower the temperature and prevent the chicken from getting nicely charred.
• If you don’t have a grill, you can pan-fry the chicken in a large skillet.
• Taste the dipping sauce and adjust the sugar and lime juice to your liking.

Variations

Spice Level Adjustments
If you’re sensitive to spice, reduce the amount of sambal oelek and chili in both the marinade and the dipping sauce. Or, remove the seeds from the chili for a milder flavor.

Vegan Adaptation (Using Tofu/Mushrooms)
Swap the chicken for firm or extra-firm tofu, or portobello mushrooms. Marinate them in the same sauce and grill or pan-fry until cooked through.

Gluten-Free Considerations
Make sure your soy sauce is gluten-free (tamari is a great option).

Festival/Celebration Adaptations (Southeast Asian New Year)
This dish is perfect for celebrations! You can add a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor and texture.

Serving Suggestions

This dish is fantastic on its own, but you can also serve it with a side of steamed rice or a fresh cucumber salad. A cold beer or a refreshing iced tea pairs perfectly with the flavors.

Storage Instructions

Leftover chicken and noodles can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The dipping sauce will keep for up to a week.

FAQs

What is Sambal Oelek and can I substitute it?
Sambal oelek is an Indonesian chili paste made from ground chili peppers, vinegar, and salt. If you can’t find it, you can substitute with sriracha, gochujang (Korean chili paste), or a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Can I marinate the chicken overnight?
Yes, you can! Marinating the chicken overnight will result in even more flavorful and tender chicken.

What type of grill is best for this recipe?
A charcoal grill will give you the most authentic smoky flavor, but a gas grill works just fine too.

How do I know when the rice noodles are perfectly cooked?
The noodles should be tender but still slightly chewy. Avoid overcooking them, as they will become mushy.

Can I make the dipping sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely! Making the dipping sauce a day or two in advance allows the flavors to develop even further.