Vietnamese-Style Baked Chicken Recipe (2024)

  • Vietnamese
  • Dairy-free Mains
  • Savory
  • Roasted Chicken
  • Chicken Thighs

Lime, ginger, and fish sauce add bold, bright, and deep flavor to chicken thighs.

By

Emily and Matt Clifton

Vietnamese-Style Baked Chicken Recipe (1)

Emily and Matt Clifton

Emily and Matt Clifton are recipe developers, photographers, and cookbook authors. Their two cookbooks are Cork and Knife (2019) andThe Ultimate Dutch Oven Cookbook (2021).

Learn about Serious Eats'Editorial Process

Updated February 17, 2023

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Vietnamese-Style Baked Chicken Recipe (2)

Why It Works

  • Lime, ginger, and fish sauce add bold, bright, and deep flavor to chicken thighs.
  • A short stint in this marinade gives the chicken the perfect tang.

Baked marinated chicken is one of our favorite weeknight dinners. Just mix up some spices, soak chicken thighs in the mixture for half an hour, then stick them in the oven—yeah, sign us up. Marinating is a simple, straightforward process, but given how flavorful the results can be, it can seem downright miraculous. So it is with these Vietnamese-style chicken thighs.

There's a lot going on in the marinade, but one of the standouts—arguably even the key ingredient—is anchovy-based Vietnamese fish sauce, ornước mắm. We use it here in this Vietnamese-inspired recipe, but regular Serious Eats readers know thatits utility goes far beyond that; it can boost the flavor of all sorts of dishes, from stews and braises to pasta sauces. When used sparingly, it also won't add a fishy taste.

Vietnamese-Style Baked Chicken Recipe (3)

We're also using palm sugar to sweeten the marinade and lend the chicken skin a beautiful golden-brown color during baking. It's a traditional ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine, but it may be hard to find. If you are able to obtain it, you'll find that bricks of palm sugar are usually rock-hard. You can grate it for recipes that need just a little (we recommend using the wide shredders of a sturdy box grater), or you can use a whole brick by softening it for a few minutes in hot water. If you can't find palm sugar, you can substitute dark brown sugar.

The key to understanding marinades is knowing that they mostly don't penetrate deeply into the meat; they offer little more than a surface treatment. Because of that, a half hour of marinating time is more than enough to get the flavor into the chicken thighs. You can leave them in for up to four hours, but any longer than that and the acid in the marinade could start to make the meat mushy.

Vietnamese-Style Baked Chicken Recipe (4)

Once it's fully marinated, take the chicken out, shake (but don't rinse) off any excess liquid, and bake it, skin-side up, in a hot oven. You should check the chicken's temperature at 30 minutes, and make sure it's at least 155°F (68°C) on the inside before you pull it out. If you like, you can add a broiling step at the end to enhance the color and crispiness of the skin, but take care not to let the sweet marinade burn.

While the chicken is baking, get your sides ready. We like to make this with simple boiled or steamed rice and a salad of quick-pickled cucumbers and red onions.

March 2017

Recipe Details

Vietnamese-Style Baked Chicken Recipe

Prep5 mins

Cook45 mins

Active20 mins

Marinating Time30 mins

Total80 mins

Serves4 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds (900g) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

  • 1/4 cup (60ml) soy sauce

  • 1/4 cup (60ml) Asian fish sauce, such as Red Boat

  • 1/4 cup (55g) palm or dark brown sugar

  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) grapeseed or other neutral oil

  • 2 packed tablespoons (7g) fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems, finely chopped

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons (20ml) fresh juice from 1 lime

  • 1 teaspoon (5g) finely grated zest from 1 lime

  • 1 tablespoon (10g) minced peeled fresh ginger

  • 2 teaspoons (10ml) hot chile paste (sambal oelek)

  • 3 medium cloves garlic, minced or grated (about 2 teaspoons)

  • Sliced limes and cilantro leaves, for garnish

Directions

  1. Place thighs in a large zipper-lock bag. In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, oil, cilantro, lime juice and zest, ginger, chili-garlic paste, and garlic. Pour marinade into bag with chicken, seal bag, and toss to coat well. Let chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours.

  2. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and set oven rack to middle position. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Remove chicken from bag, allowing marinade to drip off, and set on wire rack skin-side up, making sure to leave space between thighs. Discard marinade. Bake until thighs register 155 to 160°F (68 to 71°C) on an instant-read thermometer, about 35 minutes. (Be sure to measure temperature in the center of the thickest part of the thighs, but not directly against the bone.) If chicken skin is not brown and crisp enough by the time the thighs are cooked through, set broiler to high and broil until browned and crisp, about 1 minute, being careful not to burn the skin. Transfer chicken to a platter and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with lime slices and cilantro, then serve.

Special Equipment

Rimmed baking sheet and wire rack, instant-read thermometer

Read More

  • Vietnamese Grilled Pork Chops with Chilled Rice Noodles
  • Yogurt and Mint Marinated Chicken Thighs with Pickled Nectarines
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
320Calories
19g Fat
10g Carbs
31g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories320
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 19g25%
Saturated Fat 5g27%
Cholesterol 162mg54%
Sodium 816mg35%
Total Carbohydrate 10g3%
Dietary Fiber 2g5%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 31g
Vitamin C 16mg79%
Calcium 39mg3%
Iron 2mg10%
Potassium 421mg9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Vietnamese-Style Baked Chicken Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What makes baked chicken taste better? ›

Using a marinade or dry rub prior to cooking adds an extra burst of flavor and can be customized to complement any type of meal.

Do you cover baked chicken or not? ›

If you prefer a tender and moist result, covered baking will be the better option. If you're desiring a crispy exterior and bolder flavors, uncovered baking is best.

Do you flip baked chicken? ›

Preheat the Oven

For this method, we recommend baking your chicken breasts at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bonus: baking chicken breasts in the oven doesn't require babysitting. No flipping or turning.

What is the secret to cooking chicken? ›

Chicken breasts must be at room temperature before going in the pan as cold chicken can cook unevenly and tends to be tough. Allow the chicken breast to sit out for 20 minutes. That should do the trick.

What keeps chicken moist when baking? ›

Because chicken isn't a very fatty cut of meat, you'll want to add some fat to keep the meat hydrated. Most recipes use butter or oil for cooking chicken, but mayo is the better fat option when it comes to producing juicy chicken.

Is it better to bake chicken at 350 or 400? ›

Given the fact that drumsticks and thighs are dark meat and won't dry out as easily as breasts, the range from 350 to 450 degrees is okay for baking them. 350 to 375 is generally best for breasts. The best answer to these questions? Simply check the chicken for doneness using an instant read thermometer.

Do you season chicken before baking? ›

Preheat the oven to 400°F: Pat the chicken dry using paper towels and transfer to a mixing bowl. Toss the chicken with olive oil, salt, and pepper: Start with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and add more if needed to coat each piece. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss until the pieces are evenly seasoned.

Can I bake chicken on aluminum foil? ›

Baking chicken in foil is very simple as the total cooking time will be about 30-35 minutes. All you'll need is your chicken, your accompanying ingredients, and some foil.

How long to cook chicken in the oven at 350 degrees? ›

The right temperature and time
Type of chickenWeightRoasting: 350°F (177˚C)
breast halves, bone-in6 to 8 oz.30 to 40 minutes
breast halves, boneless4 oz.20 to 30 minutes
legs or thighs4 to 8 oz.40 to 50 minutes
drumsticks4 oz.35 to 45 minutes
1 more row

Should you let chicken sit out before baking? ›

A 15-minute sit at room temperature will make the chicken cook more evenly, helping you avoid a brown outside with a raw, undercooked inside. Solution: When you're gathering all of the ingredients for dinner, go ahead and take the chicken (in the plate or dish where it's stored) out of the fridge.

How do you keep chicken from drying out in the oven? ›

  1. Use thighs. As stated before, the higher fat content will help keep the meat moist.
  2. If you can, salt the meat well before you cook it. Even salting a half an hour before you cook it will get some salt into the muscle. ...
  3. Even a thin layer of mayo on the chicken will help buffer the drying effects of the heat.
Jul 13, 2023

How long does chicken take to bake? ›

Bake chicken uncovered in the preheated oven until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

What makes chicken taste the best? ›

Marinate them.

If you're cooking chicken breasts without skin or fat, infuse them with some extra flavor and liquid to keep them tender. Choose your favorite marinade and throw them in a ziploc bag with the marinade. Marinate them overnight before grilling, baking, or searing. The difference is uncanny.

How to make chicken more flavorful? ›

Add a touch of spice to your chicken breast by combining paprika, cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, ginger, garlic and olive oil to create a paste. Then cover your chicken breast with the paste and pat down to secure.

What not to do when cooking chicken? ›

  1. 4 Common Mistakes When Cooking Chicken. Chicken is one of the most versatile foods to cook, but there are still plenty of mistakes people make when preparing it. ...
  2. Buying Previously Frozen Meat. ...
  3. Not Brining the Chicken. ...
  4. Not Drying the Chicken. ...
  5. Cooking Meat Right Out of the Fridge.

How can I make my chicken more flavorful? ›

Brining your chicken is a foolproof way to not only add flavour to your roast but also to ensure you don't overcook the meat. Essentially a mix of salt, sugar and water, we love adding herbs, garlic or whole spices such as fennel and cumin to flavour the brine.

How do you make already baked chicken taste better? ›

Just because the chicken is already cooked doesn't mean it can't benefit from a rub. Before reheating, make a custom blend of your favorite spices like paprika, cayenne, onion or garlic powder. Mix in dried herbs or a bit of sugar for beautiful caramelization, then sprinkle it evenly over the skin.

What brings out the flavor in chicken? ›

Marinating is good for flavouring and tenderising your chicken at the same time. It's best to marinate your chicken overnight to give the flavours plenty of time to infuse. A faster way to add flavour is to simply brine your chicken in salty water prior to cooking.

How can I increase the flavor of my chicken? ›

Mix softened butter with ginger and garlic to rub all over the chicken. Add onion, garlic cloves, sliced ginger, sliced serrano chiles, and quartered lime to the pan along with some water to create flavorful pan juices. Add some fish sauce to the gravy just before serving.

References

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