VIETNAMESE-STYLE CARAMELIZED CHICKEN

Vietnamese-Style Caramelized Chicken image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, quartered (about 6 to 8 thighs)
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 shallot, thinly sliced
1 1-inch piece ginger, peeled and cut into fine matchsticks
1 cup coconut water
1/4 cup fish sauce
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 jalapeño peppers, thinly sliced
2 cups steamed white rice
Cilantro leaves, for topping

Steps:

Heat the vegetable oil in a large cast-iron skillet or other heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper and add to the skillet; cook until browned, about 4 minutes per side. Remove to a plate.
Remove and discard 3 tablespoons rendered fat from the skillet; reduce the heat to medium. Add the garlic, shallot and ginger and cook until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the coconut water, fish sauce and brown sugar and stir until the sugar is melted. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens (the bubbles will begin to slow as it thickens), 4 to 5 minutes.
Return the chicken and any collected juices to the skillet and stir to coat the chicken. Cook, reducing the heat if the sauce starts thickening too much, until the chicken is cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the jalapeños. Serve the chicken over the rice and top with cilantro leaves.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 500, Fat 17 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Cholesterol 208 milligrams, Sodium 1498 milligrams, Carbohydrate 42 grams, Fiber 1 grams, Protein 43 grams, Sugar 17 grams