Poultry Recipes - Stir-fried Chicken with Basil Recipe

Ingredients

• 45ml/3 tbsp vegetable oil

• 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

• 2-4 fresh red chilies, seeded and finely chopped

• 450g/1lb skinless chicken breast fillets, cut into bite size pieces

• 45ml/3 tbsp fish sauce

• 10ml/2 tsp dark soy sauce

• 5ml/1 tsp sugar

• 10-12 fresh Thai basil leaves

• 2 fresh red chilies, seeded and finely chopped, and about

• 20 deep-fried Thai basil leaves, to garnish

Serves 4-6

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Method:

1. Heat the oil in a wok or large, heavy frying pan. Add the garlic and chilies and stir-fry over a medium heat for about 1-2 minutes until the garlic is golden. Take care not to let the garlic burn, otherwise it will taste bitter.

2. Add the pieces of chicken to the wok or pan, in batches if necessary, and stir-fry until the chicken changes color.

3. Stir in the fish sauce, soy sauce and sugar. Continue to stir-fry the mixture for 3-4 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and golden brown.

4. Stir in the fresh Thai basil leaves. Spoon the mixture on to a warm platter; or into individual dishes. Garnish with the chopped chilies and deep-fried Thai basil and serve.

Note: Thai basil, which is sometimes known as holy basil, has a unique, pungent flavor that is both spicy and sharp. Deep-frying the leaves adds another dimension to this quick and easy chicken dish.

Cook's Tip: To deep-fry Thai basil leaves, heat groundnut (peanut) oil to 190°C/375°F. Add the leaves, which must be completely dry, and deep-fry them for about 30 seconds until they are crisp and translucent Lift out the leaves and drain on kitchen paper.