Five Spice Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Chili Dipping Sauce

Ga Lui (Skewered Five Spice Chicken)

Recipe by: Nicole Routhier
Source: “Classic Cooks”

Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Yield: 48 skewers

Description:

Discover the exquisite flavors of Ga Lui, a tantalizing skewered chicken dish marinated in a blend of lemongrass, five-spice powder, and more. Perfect for grilling or broiling, these skewers are served with a mouthwatering chili dipping sauce that complements the savory marinade beautifully.

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 stalk lemongrass
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon five-spice powder
• 1 red chile
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup hot water

Instructions:

1. Prepare Marinade:

   • Place garlic, lemongrass, sugar, fish sauce, soy sauce, five-spice powder, red chile, sugar, lime juice, rice vinegar, garlic, and hot water in a food processor.
   • Blend until smooth and well combined.

2. Marinate Chicken:

   • Cut each chicken breast lengthwise into 4 strips.
   • Lightly pound the strips to 1 cm (half inch) thickness.
   • Cut each strip in half and add to the marinade mixture.
   • Toss the chicken well to ensure it’s evenly coated with the marinade.
   • Cover and marinate at room temperature for 1 hour, or refrigerate overnight for deeper flavor.

3. Prepare Skewers:

   • Soak 48 bamboo skewers in salted hot water for 30 minutes to prevent burning.

4. Cooking:

   • Preheat the grill or prepare the barbecue for medium-high heat.
   • Thread each marinated chicken strip onto a skewer.

5. Grilling:

   • Grill each skewer, turning once, until the chicken is browned on both sides and fully cooked through, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.

6. Serve:

   • Serve the Ga Lui skewers immediately, accompanied by the prepared chili dipping sauce.

Chili Dipping Sauce:

• Ingredients:

  • 1 red chile, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

• Instructions:

  1. Mix all ingredients for the dipping sauce in a small bowl.
  2. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved.
  3. Transfer the sauce to a jar, cover, and refrigerate. It can be stored for up to a week if not used immediately.

Notes:

• This Ga Lui recipe is perfect for a flavorful Asian-inspired appetizer or main dish. The marinade can also be used for grilling larger pieces of chicken without skewers.
• Adjust the spiciness of the chili dipping sauce by adding more or less red chile according to your preference.

Enjoy the aromatic blend of lemongrass, five-spice, and savory chicken with this delightful Ga Lui recipe from Nicole Routhier’s collection. Perfect for gatherings or a special meal, these skewers are sure to impress with their robust flavors and tender texture!