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Lemongrass Chicken Rice Paper Rolls Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 150 reviews

These Lemongrass Chicken Rice Paper Rolls are fresh, flavorful, and perfect as a light meal or appetizer. Featuring marinated and caramelized chicken thighs, crunchy vegetables, delicate vermicelli noodles, and fresh herbs all wrapped in tender rice paper, they are served with a rich, nutty peanut dipping sauce. Easy to prepare and packed with vibrant Asian-inspired flavors, these rolls bring a delightful balance of savory, sweet, tangy, and spicy notes to your table.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and 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 (or any lettuce)
  • 1 carrot, peeled and finely julienned (or cucumber)
  • 1/4 cup coriander/cilantro leaves, roughly chopped (or Thai basil leaves, extra mint leaves)
  • 3/4 cup small mint leaves (or torn 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 (adjust spiciness to taste, optional)

Instructions

  1. Marinate chicken: Mix fish sauce, brown sugar, lemongrass, lime juice, and garlic in a bowl. Add the finely sliced chicken thighs and toss to coat thoroughly. Set aside to marinate for 15 minutes or up to overnight for deeper flavor.
  2. Prepare peanut sauce: Combine peanut butter, hoisin sauce, white vinegar, grated garlic, brown sugar, salt, and chili paste in a small bowl. Gradually stir in milk to achieve a smooth dipping consistency that isn’t too thick.
  3. Cook noodles: Place vermicelli noodles in a bowl and cover with hot water for 2 minutes or as directed on the packet. Drain thoroughly and let cool.
  4. Cook chicken: Heat oil in a large non-stick pan over high heat until very hot. Add half the marinated chicken and cook, stirring constantly, for about 3 minutes until lightly caramelized. Remove onto a plate to cool and repeat with the second half.
  5. Prepare rice paper: Fill a large bowl with warm water. Submerge one rice paper sheet for 2 seconds, rotating if needed, until pliable. Lay it smooth side down on a cutting board.
  6. Assemble rolls: Place a small pile of herbs, then about one-tenth of the cooked chicken, carrot, green and red cabbage, mint leaves, and noodles just beneath the middle of the rice paper, forming a symmetrical stack.
  7. Roll: Fold the lower edge of the rice paper over the stuffing, then fold in the sides and roll tightly to enclose the filling. The rice paper will stick to itself to seal the roll.
  8. Serve: Arrange rolls on a serving plate without stacking to avoid sticking. Serve with the prepared peanut dipping sauce. Optionally, cut rolls in half and stand upright for a stylish presentation.

Notes

  • Use fish sauce for authentic flavor, but soy sauce is acceptable for a milder taste.
  • Lemongrass paste can be used as a shortcut if fresh lemongrass is unavailable.
  • Rice paper sheets soften quickly; do not soak for too long or they will become gummy and tear easily.
  • Natural peanut butter without added sugar or salt provides the best flavor balance for the sauce.
  • Rolling can be a bit tricky at first, but the rice paper’s sticky texture helps seal the rolls securely.

Keywords: lemongrass chicken rice paper rolls, Vietnamese spring rolls, fresh spring rolls, peanut dipping sauce, healthy appetizers, rice noodle rolls

Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/lemongrass-chicken-rice-paper-rolls-recipe/