Traditional Vietnamese Steamed Chicken with Fish Sauce Recipe

The steamed chicken with fish sauce dish has long been a staple in Vietnamese family meals. With its rich flavor that permeates every fiber of the chicken, this dish is not only easy to prepare but also highly nutritious. To achieve the perfect steamed chicken dish, selecting the main ingredients—especially high-quality fish sauce—is crucial. Let’s explore the detailed recipe for making steamed chicken with fish sauce to create a delightful meal for your family!

Secrets to Making Steamed Chicken with Fish Sauce More Appealing

To perfect the steamed chicken with fish sauce, the most important factor is choosing the right type of fish sauce. Phu Quoc fish sauce is renowned for its distinctive flavor derived from fresh anchovies, combined with a traditional fermentation process that lasts at least 12 months. This meticulous process helps the fish sauce retain its richness and unique aroma, enhancing the appeal of the chicken dish.

Traditional Phu Quoc Fish Sauce

When preparing the dish, pay attention to the chicken preparation technique and steaming time to ensure the meat is tender, not dry or tough. These are essential factors that contribute to the complete flavor of the dish.

Preparing the Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1 free-range chicken, cleaned (about 1.5–1.9 kg).
• Dry ingredients: 10 lemongrass stalks, 1 onion, kaffir lime leaves, 5 garlic cloves, 5 shallots, 2 scallions, 2 chili peppers, 50g green peppercorns.
• Chicken marinade: 25 grams of sugar, 1 tablespoon of seasoning powder, ½ tablespoon of MSG, 60ml of 40-degree fish sauce, 3 tablespoons of chili sauce, 30ml of water.
• Accompanying vegetables: Lettuce, cucumber.

Preparing the Ingredients

• Wash the chicken with diluted saltwater, then let it drain.
• Crush the lemongrass and cut it in half; slice the onion thinly; wash the kaffir lime leaves.
• Wash the scallions, cilantro, and chili peppers, then cut them into pieces or chop them as desired.
• Mix the sauce thoroughly, combining sugar, seasoning powder, MSG, fish sauce, chili sauce, and water. If you like it spicy, you can add minced chili to the mixture.

Prepped Free-Range Chicken

Steps to Make Steamed Chicken with Fish Sauce

Marinating the Chicken

• Pour ⅔ of the sauce mixture over the entire surface and inside the chicken. Use a knife or small skewer to lightly prick the chicken to allow the marinade to penetrate deeper.
• Stuff the dry ingredients such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, green peppercorns, shallots, and scallions into the chicken cavity, then refrigerate and marinate for at least 1 hour. The longer the marination, the more evenly the flavors will infuse the chicken.

Marinating Chicken with Rich Sauce

Steaming the Chicken

• Place 5 lemongrass stalks at the bottom of the steamer, then position the chicken and its cavity contents on top. Add kaffir lime leaves, peppercorns, shallots, and garlic to the steamer, a little of each.
• Drizzle the remaining sauce over the chicken, cover, and steam on high heat for the first 5 minutes to bring the sauce to a boil. Then reduce to low heat and steam for another 30 minutes.
• Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a plate and garnish with chili peppers and cilantro. Steamed chicken with fish sauce is usually served with the steaming sauce, adding a bit of pepper and chili to enhance the flavor.

Steaming Chicken for 30–40 Minutes

Conclusion

The steamed chicken with fish sauce is not only simple to prepare but also offers a rich flavor that suits many palates. By using high-quality fish sauce and following the detailed instructions, you can create an enticing dish for your family. Try this recipe today and share your results!

See more: How to Make Savory Soy Sauce Braised Chicken