Lemongrass Chicken Stir-Fry (Gà Xào Sả Ớt)

🧂 Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs

  (450g)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon five-spice powder
• 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic, divided
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons cooking oil

  (plus more to cook)
• 6 medium lemongrass stalks, white parts only, sliced very thinly

  (about 2/3 cup or 40-45g sliced)
• 1 tablespoon julienned ginger
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce

  (to taste)
• 1 teaspoon fish sauce

  (to taste)
• 2 red banana peppers, or any non/mildly-spicy red chili peppers, seeds removed and thinly sliced

  (about 1/3 cup or 25g sliced)
• 1 bird's-eye chili, seeds removed and thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

  (optional)

Instructions

• 1 Cut chicken thighs into thin slices or strips. Toss with ¼ teaspoon
  salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, ¼ teaspoon five-spice powder, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, ½
  tablespoon minced garlic and 1 tablespoon water. Then add 2 teaspoons oil and
  mix to combine. Set aside to marinate for 15 minutes.
• 2 Place a large heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add
  cooking oil to coat the bottom. Add lemongrass slices once the oil is hot, stir
  and cook for about 2 minutes until lemongrass has reduced in volume and looked
  slightly golden and it smells aromatic. Transfer most of the lemongrass to a
  clean bowl.
• 3 Add julienned ginger and sauté until fragrant and softened, up to a minute. Then
  add the remaining minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant.
• 4 Increase the heat to medium-high, then add chicken and let them cook undisturbed
  for about 30 seconds to give them a nice sear. Then stir and cook for another
  6-7 minutes.
• 5 Add back lemongrass and also add oyster sauce, fish sauce and all the chili
  peppers. Stir and toss for 1-2 more minutes until chicken is fully cooked and
  flavors are combined. Adjust seasonings to taste.
• 6 Drizzle sesame oil over the chicken and give everything a final stir. Transfer
  to clean plates and serve.

Nutrition Info