Best Thai Style Chicken With Basil Cooks Illustrated Recipes

THAI-STYLE CHICKEN SOUP WITH BASIL

Thai-Style Chicken Soup With Basil image

This Thai-inspired soup has many layers in its complexity, but the overall effect is of cleanness and freshness.

Provided by Ruth Cousineau

Categories Soup/Stew Chicken Dinner Lunch Basil Healthy Tamarind Simmer Gourmet Dairy Free Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added

Yield Makes 4 to 6 (main course) servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

2 fresh lemongrass stalks, root end trimmed and 1 or 2 outer layers discarded
2 large shallots, thinly sliced
2 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 quart rich and flavorful chicken stock or 5 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes in juice, drained, reserving juice
2 ounces tamarind from a pliable block (a 2-inch cube), chopped
3 tablespoon fish sauce
2 (2-inch-long) fresh Thai chiles, thinly sliced
2 fresh or frozen makrut lime leaves
1 (2-inch) piece peeled ginger, thinly sliced
1 pound skinless boneless chicken breast
1/4 pound snow peas, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1/3 cup packed basil leaves (preferably Thai)
Accompaniment: cooked jasmine rice

Steps:

Cut off and discard top of lemongrass, leaving 6-inch stalks, then finely chop. Cook lemongrass, shallots, and garlic in oil in a large heavy pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until well browned, 12 to 15 minutes.
Add stock, reserved tomato juice, tamarind, fish sauce, chiles, lime leaves, and ginger and simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes.
While soup simmers, freeze chicken breast just until slightly firm, 20 to 30 minutes, then thinly slice crosswise.
Strain stock through a fine-mesh sieve into a large saucepan, pressing hard on and then discarding solids. Return to a simmer and stir in chicken, diced tomatoes, snow peas, and basil. Gently simmer just until chicken is cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes. Season with additional fish sauce and salt.

AUTHENTIC THAI BASIL CHICKEN (VERY EASY AND FAST)

Authentic Thai Basil Chicken (Very Easy and Fast) image

This only takes about 25 minutes to make. Very easy and fabulous flavor! This is very popular in Thailand. They sell this on the streets as well as in the restaurants. You won't believe how incredible this recipe is. It is my husband's and my new favorite. Serve with white rice.

Provided by Nancy Gibson

Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Chicken Chicken Breast Recipes

Time 24m

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
½ onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, sliced
1 large skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
¼ cup oyster sauce
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 pinch white sugar
2 small chile peppers, sliced
⅓ cup water
½ cup fresh basil leaves

Steps:

Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add chicken; cook and stir until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Stir in oyster sauce, soy sauce, and sugar. Stir in chile peppers. Pour in water. Cook until slightly thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in basil before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 303.7 calories, Carbohydrate 14.5 g, Cholesterol 58.5 mg, Fat 16.2 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 25.8 g, SaturatedFat 2.8 g, Sodium 1625.4 mg, Sugar 5.7 g