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Vietnamese Caramelized Chicken Recipe

Gà Kho Recipe (Vietnamese Caramelized Chicken)

Gà kho (Vietnamese caramelized chicken) recipe is a delectable yet simple-to-make dish. The caramelization process adds depth to the chicken, making it an irresistible treat.
5 from 2 votes
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Keyword: Gà Kho
Level of Difficulty: Medium
Dietary Preference: Dairy-Free, Gluten-free
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 180kcal

Equipment

  • Pan
  • Tongs
  • Bowl

Ingredients

  • 2 boneless chicken thighs (about 1.1 pounds or 500 grams)
  • 1 coconut
  • 0.7 ounces minced garlic
  • 0.7 ounces minced shallots
  • 0.7 ounces julienned ginger
  • 2 lemongrass stalks, thinly sliced
  • 1 chili pepper

For the marinade

  • 5 teaspoons salt
  • 5 teaspoons Vietnamese caramel sauce, Nuoc Mau
  • 3 teaspoons soup powder
  • 3 teaspoons oyster sauce
  • 3 teaspoons soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground pepper
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
US Customary - Metric

Instructions 

  • Find the coconut eye on top of your coconut and pierce it using a knife or scissors. Drain the coconut water.
    Coconut Eye
  • Cut each chicken thigh into 3 parts.
    Cut Each Chicken Thigh
  • Season the chicken with salt, caramel sauce, soup powder, garlic powder, soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, and ground pepper.
    Mix well and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
    Season The Chicken With Salt
  • Add olive oil to a heated pan. Fry the minced garlic and shallots until fragrant.
    Stir in the ginger, chili pepper, and lemongrass. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until they turn aromatic.
    Fry The Minced Garlic And Shallots
  • Add the chicken thighs to the pan and saute them to give them a slight sear.
    Chicken Thighs Pan And Saute
  • Pour in the coconut water. Cook the chicken for about 30 minutes on medium-low heat or until the sauce is thickened.
    Pour Coconut Water
  • Occasionally flip the chicken and spoon the sauce over them.
    Flip Chicken And Spoon Sauce
  • Once the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened nicely, sprinkle some scallions and ground pepper on top.
    Serve with steaming hot rice or boiled veggies, like okra, gourd, cabbage, and broccoli.
    Vietnamese Caramelized Chicken

Video

Notes

  • The cooking time is based on 4 servings.
  • Ideally, you should marinate the chicken for 2 to 4 hours in a refrigerator.
  • The cooking time might change depending on the type of chicken used. Free-range chicken typically takes longer to cook.
  • You can freely adjust the seasonings to your liking.
  • The longer you cook the chicken thighs, the more sauce they will absorb. However, the chicken will dry out if you cook them for too long.

Nutrition

Calories: 180kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 3375mg | Potassium: 382mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 135IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 33mg