Spicy Vietnamese Chicken Food

GRILLED VIETNAMESE CHICKEN

Steps:

• PREPARE CHICKEN: Trim larger pieces of fat from chicken (don't worry about smaller ones - they'll burn off). Pound chicken to even thickness for even cooking. I use the bottom of a pot or heal of my hand.
• MARINATE CHICKEN: Place all marinade ingredients in a ziploc bag or sealed container. Mix or squish bag to combine well. Add chicken, Seal bag/container and marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes or overnight in fridge.
• HEAT GRILL to medium-high. Oil grill with paper towel or spray.
• GRILL CHICKEN AND SERVE: Remove chicken from marinade (reserve marinade for sauce if desired Note 2). If using low salt soy sauce, lightly sprinkle chicken with salt. Grill chicken for 3-5 minutes per side, depending on thickness of chicken. Instant thermometer should read 160F. Add green onions for last 2-3 minutes if using. Transfer chicken to plate. Cover loosely with foil and let rest 5 minutes. Garnish with green onions and chopped fresh cilantro if desired. Note 3 to bake.

VIETNAMESE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a small frying pan on medium heat and gently cook the shallots and garlic until caramelised and golden brown (about 4-5 mins).
• In a large saucepan, add the caramelised shallots and garlic, lemongrass, ginger, star anise, cinnamon stick, coriander seeds, Chinese five-spice, peppercorns, sugar, fish sauce, chicken stock and chicken breasts. Cover with a lid and bring to a very gentle simmer for about 15 mins.
• Meanwhile, cook the noodles, following pack instructions, until just cooked through (do not over-cook). Rinse under cold water to prevent them sticking together. Drain and divide between serving bowls.
• Strain the soup through a sieve. Discard the spices. Shred the chicken and keep to one side. Return soup to the pot and bring to a boil. Season to taste with more fish sauce if needed.
• To serve, ladle piping hot soup into bowls of noodles and chicken, and top with spring onion, carrot, bean sprouts, and herbs, plus the chilli, crispy shallots and kaffir lime leaf if using. Serve with a lime wedge to squeeze over, and more fish sauce and chilli to taste.

SPICY VIETNAMESE CHICKEN SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Toss the chicken with the soy sauce, 1 T. of the mayo and the sliced shallot. Cover and let marinate in the fridge for about 1 hour.
• In another bowl, mix the sliced carrots with the pickled onions and their liquid and let stand at room temperature for about 1 hour.
• Heat up a grill pan on high heat. Grill the chicken until charred and the chicken is cooked through - about 2 minutes per side. Put the shallots on after you flip the chicken. If you add the shallots right away, they will get too done.
• Spread the mayo on the cut sides of the toasted baguette and then spread with Sriracha (to taste -- it's spicy). * I actually like to make a mixture in a bowl of the mayo and Sriracha, then spread it onto the bread. On th bottom half of the baguette, layer the carrots, pickled onions and sliced cucumber. Top with the grilled chicken and shallot slices. Lay the cilantro sprigs, if using, over the chicken and close the sandwich.
• Cut the sandwich crosswise into 6 pieces and serve!

SPICY VIETNAMESE STIR-FRY WITH CHICKEN

Steps:

• To prepare chicken: Combine sesame oil, fish sauce, sugar, chile paste and pepper in a resealable plastic bag. Add chicken; marinate in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
• To prepare broth: Warm oil over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger; cook, stirring, until fragrant and well mixed, about 2 minutes. Add water, sugar, oyster sauce and fish sauce; bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Pour through a fine strainer, discarding solids. Stir chile paste into broth; set aside. (You should have about 1 cup broth.).
• To prepare stir-fry: Combine vegetable oil and sesame oil in a large skillet or wok; heat almost to the smoking point. Quickly add chicken; stir-fry until chicken is about half cooked. Add bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, basil and cilantro; cook until vegetables are almost tender. Add broth and bring to a boil, then add snow peas and broccoli. Cook just until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Dissolve cornstarch in cold water; stir into the stir-fry mixture.
• Return to a boil and cook briefly until thickened.
• To serve: Spoon stir-fry over rice; garnish with lime and cilantro.