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Phnom Penh Sizzling Lemongrass Chicken Crunch Bowl

Phnom Penh Sizzling Lemongrass Chicken Crunch Bowl

I remember riding a tuk-tuk through Phnom Penh, the humid air completely saturated with the irresistible smell of sizzling lemongrass and garlic. This 15-minute lunch bowl brings that exact chaotic, vibrant Southeast Asian street food energy straight to your kitchen! We're flash-frying ground chicken with punchy aromatics and piling it high over massive handfuls of fresh mint and crunchy cabbage for a midday meal that refuses to be boring.

Chef Mira Lin
Chef Mira Lin
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
2
easy
lunchsalad
15-minute-mealsground-chickensoutheast-asianmason-jar-dressing+1

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Timeline

12 minutes
0m5m10m12m
Prep Aromatics
4m
Shake Dressing
2m
Sizzle Ground Chicken
5m
Assemble Crunch Base
3m
Garnish and Serve
1m

Ingredients

  • 2 stalks lemongrass, tender white parts only(finely minced)
  • 4 cloves garlic(minced)
  • 1 medium shallot(thinly sliced)
  • 3 tbsp lime juice(divided)
  • 3 tbsp fish sauce(divided)
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 bird's eye chili(thinly sliced (adjust for heat))
  • 1 tbsp neutral cooking oil
  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 4 cups green cabbage(shredded)
  • 1 cup carrots(julienned)
  • 1 cup fresh mint leaves(torn)
  • 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves(roughly chopped)
  • 1/4 cup roasted peanuts(crushed)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Step right up to your cutting board—aka your departure gate! First, let's prep our aromatics so they are ready to hit the hot pan. Finely mince 2 stalks lemongrass, tender white parts only and 4 cloves garlic, and thinly slice 1 medium shallot.

    4 min

    Tip: Smash your lemongrass with the back of your knife before mincing to release all those gorgeous, fragrant essential oils!

  2. 2

    Grab your trusty mason jar and shake up the dressing. Combine 2 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 bird's eye chili. Shake vigorously until the sugar completely dissolves.

    2 min

    Tip: If your sugar is stubborn, let the mixture sit for a minute, then shake again. The acidity will eventually melt it down.

  3. 3

    Heat 1 tbsp neutral cooking oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the prepared lemongrass, garlic, and shallot, stirring for 30 seconds until wildly fragrant. Add 1 lb ground chicken and the remaining 1 tbsp fish sauce. Break the meat apart with a spatula and let it quick stir-fry for 5 minutes until beautifully browned and crispy at the edges.

    5 min

    Tip: Don't stir the chicken too constantly! Let it sit for a minute so it can develop those deeply flavorful crispy brown bits.

  4. 4

    While the chicken gets perfectly crispy in the pan, build your crunchy salad base. Divide 4 cups green cabbage, 1 cup carrots, 1 cup fresh mint leaves, and 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves between two large bowls.

    3 min

    Tip: I mean it—use massive handfuls of herbs! They function as salad greens here, not just garnish. That's the secret to Southeast Asian vibrancy.

  5. 5

    Spoon the piping hot, aromatic ground chicken directly over your fresh cabbage pile. Drizzle generously with your sweet-and-sour mason jar dressing, then finish with 1/4 cup roasted peanuts and an extra squeeze of the remaining 1 tbsp lime juice. Pack your bags, lunch is served!

    1 min

    Tip: Toss it all together right before eating so the hot chicken slightly wilts the cabbage while keeping the ultimate crunch.

Chef's Notes

Mom-energy tip: Because between school drop-offs and endless work emails we rarely have time to chop at noon, I always buy pre-shredded cabbage and carrots. It saves you 5 minutes and makes this an entirely frictionless weeknight or weekday lunch escape. Enjoy the trip!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Phnom Penh Sizzling Lemongrass Chicken Crunch Bowl take to make?

Phnom Penh Sizzling Lemongrass Chicken Crunch Bowl takes about 15 minutes total. That includes 10 minutes of prep and 5 minutes of cooking.

How many servings does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 2 servings.

What skill level is needed for Phnom Penh Sizzling Lemongrass Chicken Crunch Bowl?

This recipe is rated easy — it's beginner-friendly and straightforward.

What ingredients do I need for Phnom Penh Sizzling Lemongrass Chicken Crunch Bowl?

The main ingredients are: lemongrass, tender white parts only, garlic, shallot, lime juice, fish sauce, brown sugar, bird's eye chili, neutral cooking oil, ground chicken, green cabbage, carrots, fresh mint leaves, fresh cilantro leaves, roasted peanuts.

What type of meal is Phnom Penh Sizzling Lemongrass Chicken Crunch Bowl?

Phnom Penh Sizzling Lemongrass Chicken Crunch Bowl is categorized as: lunch, salad.