Description
These Lemongrass Chicken Rice Paper Rolls are a vibrant and fresh Vietnamese-inspired appetizer featuring marinated and caramelized chicken, crunchy vegetables, and delicate vermicelli noodles wrapped in tender rice paper. Served with a smooth, flavorful peanut dipping sauce, they’re perfect for a light meal or party snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 350g / 12oz boneless chicken thighs, very finely sliced (2.5cm/1″ wide, 3mm / 1/8″ thick)
- 1 1/2 tbsp fish sauce (or light/all-purpose soy sauce)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp lemongrass, finely grated (or paste)
- 1 tbsp lime juice (or rice vinegar/apple cider vinegar)
- 1 garlic clove, finely grated
- 1 tbsp canola oil (or other neutral oil, for cooking)
Rice Paper Rolls
- 10 sheets round rice paper (~22cm/8.5″)
- 70g / 2.5 oz dried vermicelli noodles (rice noodles) or other very thin noodles
- 1 cup packed green cabbage, very finely sliced (soft and floppy)
- 1 cup packed red cabbage, very finely sliced
- 1 carrot, peeled and finely julienned (or cucumber)
- 1/4 cup coriander/cilantro leaves, roughly chopped (or Thai Basil, extra mint)
- 3/4 cup small mint leaves (or tear larger ones; regular or Vietnamese mint)
Peanut Dipping Sauce
- 1 1/2 tbsp natural peanut butter, smooth (or regular peanut butter spread)
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp white vinegar (or 1/2 tbsp lime juice)
- 1/4 – 1/3 cup milk (any fat %) or water
- 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 1/8 tsp cooking salt/kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp crushed chili, sambal oelek or other chili paste (optional, adjust spiciness)
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: In a bowl, mix fish sauce, brown sugar, lemongrass, lime juice, and grated garlic. Add the sliced chicken thighs and toss to coat evenly. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to overnight for deeper flavor.
- Prepare Peanut Sauce: Combine natural peanut butter, hoisin sauce, white vinegar, grated garlic, brown sugar, salt, and crushed chili in a small bowl. Gradually add milk or water to adjust the sauce to a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Cook Noodles: Place vermicelli noodles in a bowl and cover with hot water for 2 minutes (or follow packet instructions). Drain thoroughly and allow to cool.
- Cook Chicken: Heat canola oil in a large non-stick skillet over high heat until very hot. Add half the marinated chicken and stir constantly for about 3 minutes until lightly caramelized. Transfer to a plate to cool. Repeat with remaining chicken.
- Prepare Rice Paper: Fill a large bowl with warm water. Briefly submerge one sheet of rice paper for about 2 seconds, rotating if necessary to ensure even softening. Lay the softened rice paper flat on a cutting board with the smooth side down.
- Add Filling: Create a neat, symmetrical stack of fillings near the bottom center of the rice paper. Start with a sprinkle of coriander, then about one-tenth of the cooked chicken, followed by carrots, green and red cabbage, mint leaves, and finish with vermicelli noodles to weigh down the stack.
- Roll the Rice Paper: Fold the lower edge of the rice paper up and over the filling, then fold the left and right sides inward. Roll tightly but gently to enclose the filling, allowing the rice paper to seal itself.
- Serve: Place the finished rolls on a serving plate. Serve with the prepared peanut dipping sauce. For presentation, rice paper rolls can be cut in half and stood upright as appetizers.
Notes
- Note 1: Slice chicken very thinly for quick, even cooking and better texture.
- Note 2: Fresh lemongrass finely grated adds authentic flavor, but paste is a great shortcut.
- Note 3: Rice paper sheets soften very quickly; avoid over-soaking as they become fragile and hard to roll.
- Note 4: Natural peanut butter is recommended for a smoother, less sweet sauce, but regular peanut butter spread works fine.
- Note 5: Rolling symmetrically and firmly helps keep the rice paper rolls neat and intact.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
Keywords: lemongrass chicken, rice paper rolls, Vietnamese spring rolls, fresh summer rolls, peanut dipping sauce, healthy appetizer
