
These Vietnamese chicken wings are marinated with lemongrass, garlic, lime juice, fish sauce, and brown sugar for a balance of savory, sweet, and bright flavors. They caramelize beautifully on the grill or in the oven, making them perfect for parties, game day, or a flavorful weeknight dinner.
Trim the lemongrass and use only the tender white part. Bruise it with the side of a knife, then slice it thinly so it releases its flavor into the marinade.
In a large bowl, combine the lemongrass, garlic, lime juice, fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, vegetable oil, and chopped bird's eye chili. Stir until the sugar is mostly dissolved. If you want to baste the wings later, set aside 2 to 3 tbsp of the marinade before adding the chicken.
Add the chicken wings to the marinade and toss well to coat. Transfer to a sealed bag or covered bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for the best flavor.
When ready to cook, remove the wings from the refrigerator. Let any excess marinade drip off so the wings caramelize instead of steaming.
For grilling: Preheat a lightly oiled grill to medium-low heat. Grill the wings, turning occasionally, for 20 to 25 minutes or until cooked through and lightly charred. Brush or toss with the reserved clean marinade during the last few minutes, then grill briefly on both sides to set the glaze.
For oven baking: Preheat the oven to 350F (180C) and place a rack in the upper third of the oven. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set a wire rack on top.
Arrange the wings in a single layer on the rack. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, then turn them over and baste with the reserved clean marinade, if using.
Return the wings to the oven and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until deeply golden and cooked through. Turn once more, baste again if desired, and bake for 5 more minutes to finish.
Transfer the wings to a serving platter and garnish with cilantro leaves and thinly sliced chili, if desired. Serve hot.
Reserve a little marinade before adding the raw chicken if you want a safe glaze for finishing. Keep the heat moderate, since the sugar in the marinade can burn quickly over high heat. Leftover wings can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in a 375F oven or air fryer until hot and crisp.




