Easy and Delicious Steamed Fish Sauce Chicken Recipe

Steamed fish sauce chicken is a signature Vietnamese dish known for its rich flavor from premium fish sauce combined with tender, sweet chicken meat. Not only is it easy to prepare, but it’s also perfect for treating your family on special occasions.

Ingredients Preparation

To make this delicious steamed fish sauce chicken, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Chicken: 1kg (preferably free-range or game hen for the best texture).
• Premium fish sauce: 3-4 tablespoons (opt for first-press fish sauce with a light yellow color, a balanced salty-sweet taste, and a distinctive aroma).
• Shallots: 5 bulbs.
• Garlic: 3 cloves.
• Fresh chili: 2-3 peppers.
• Basic seasonings: Salt, sugar, pepper, MSG (or seasoning powder).

Ingredients for steamed fish sauce chicken
Prepare all the ingredients for the steamed fish sauce chicken.

Steps to Follow

Step 1: Preparing the Ingredients

• Preparing the chicken: Clean the chicken by rubbing it with salt or lemon to remove any odor, then rinse with clean water and let it drain.
• Shallots, garlic, and chili: Peel, wash, and finely chop the shallots, garlic, and chili. Remove the chili seeds if you prefer a milder dish.

Preparing the ingredients
Thorough preparation enhances the dish’s appeal.

Step 2: Marinating the Chicken with Fish Sauce

• Mix the finely chopped shallots, garlic, and chili with 3-4 tablespoons of premium fish sauce, adding a bit of sugar and pepper for a balanced flavor.
• Use half of this mixture to coat the entire chicken, letting it marinate for about 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.

Marinating the chicken with fish sauce
Thorough marinating enhances the dish’s richness.

Step 3: Steaming the Chicken with Fish Sauce

• Place the chicken in a large steamer, spreading green onions and lemongrass evenly on the bottom to enhance the aroma.
• Cover the pot tightly and steam the chicken over medium heat for about 15 minutes.
• Then, brush the remaining fish sauce mixture over the chicken and continue steaming for another 10 minutes to ensure the chicken is tender and fully flavored.

Steaming the chicken correctly ensures the dish meets flavor standards.

Final Product and Presentation

The finished steamed fish sauce chicken exudes the distinctive aroma of fish sauce, perfectly complemented by the natural sweetness of the chicken. When plating, you can garnish with finely chopped green onions or shredded kaffir lime leaves for added visual appeal. This dish is typically served with a side of lemon pepper salt to enhance its savory taste and stimulate the palate.

Finished steamed fish sauce chicken
Perfect steamed fish sauce chicken for a family meal.

Conclusion

With this simple yet flavorful steamed fish sauce chicken recipe, you can easily prepare a delicious and nutritious meal for your family. Try this recipe and share your results with us!

References:

• Traditional steamed fish sauce chicken recipe
• Delicious chicken dishes