Delicious Lemon Leaf Steamed Chicken Recipe

Lemon leaf steamed chicken is a familiar dish in Vietnamese family meals, featuring a distinctive flavor from the combination of tender, sweet chicken and the gentle aroma of lemon leaves. Not only is it easy to make, but this dish is also suitable for all occasions, from daily meals to intimate gatherings. Let’s explore how to make the perfect lemon leaf steamed chicken through this article.

Ingredients Needed

To make lemon leaf steamed chicken, you need to prepare the following ingredients:

• Free-range chicken: 1 whole (about 1.5 kg)
• Lemon leaves: 10 – 15 leaves
• Lemongrass: 2 stalks
• Ginger: 1 large piece
• Fresh lime: 1
• Seasonings: salt, pepper

If your family is large, you can choose a bigger chicken (about 2 kg) to ensure enough portions for 3-5 people. You should also adjust the amount of ingredients to suit your needs.

Ingredients for lemon leaf steamed chicken

Steps to Make Lemon Leaf Steamed Chicken

Preparing the Ingredients

Before you start cooking, carefully prepare the ingredients to ensure the best flavor of the dish. If you buy a pre-cleaned chicken, just check to make sure all the feathers are removed. Then, crush the ginger and rub the juice all over the chicken to remove any odor and clean it effectively. Finally, rinse the chicken with clean water and let it drain.

For the lemon leaves, wash them thoroughly and cut some into thin strips, leaving the rest whole for decoration or to mix with dipping sauce. Wash the lemongrass, crush it, and cut it into short pieces.

Marinating the Chicken

Unlike many other chicken dishes, lemon leaf steamed chicken doesn’t need to be marinated with too many seasonings to preserve the natural flavor of the meat. The marinating mixture includes:

• 1 tablespoon of salt
• 1 tablespoon of pepper
• A little finely chopped lemongrass
• A little minced ginger

Mix these ingredients well and rub the mixture all over the inside and outside of the chicken. Let the chicken marinate for about 10-15 minutes.

Lemon leaf steamed chicken

Steaming the Chicken

To achieve the perfect flavor of lemon leaf steamed chicken, you should use a dedicated steamer or a steam fryer. If you don’t have a steamer, you can use a bamboo steamer or steam it indirectly.

Before steaming, spread a layer of salt, lemon leaves, and chopped lemongrass at the bottom of the pot. Place the chicken on top and cover it tightly. The steaming time for a 1.5 kg chicken is about 30 minutes. If the chicken is larger, you can increase the steaming time to 45 minutes. During steaming, the chicken will release juices, keeping the meat tender, moist, and the skin intact.

After steaming, arrange the chicken on a plate and enjoy it with lime and pepper salt to fully appreciate the special flavor of the dish.

Conclusion

The recipe for lemon leaf steamed chicken is not only simple but also brings a delicious and nutritious dish. With the above recipe, you can easily make this dish at home to treat your family. Don’t forget to check out other steamed dish recipes to diversify your daily menu!