K-Jon's Spicy Basil Chicken

K-Jon Chef's Note:

This is my version of a Thai classic.This is a good and easy stir-fried dish and one of the favorites among Thai people. It is served over rice as a one-dish meal – for breakfast or for lunch, often topped with a crispy fried egg. Of course, it also appears frequently as one of the courses in a shared family-style meal. The smaller the chicken is cut, the greater the surface area to coat with the flavors of the aromatic herbs and sauces, and the more flavorful the stir-fry will be. You can also sub the chicken with ground pork, beef, turkey, any seafood, get creative!

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 8

Yield: 8.0 2 cup

• 2 -3 tablespoons peanut oil, can sub any oil, for stir-frying
• 10 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup sliced onion
• 1 lb boneless chicken thighs (chopped fine or course ground)
• 4 -6 serrano peppers (to taste) or 4 -6 jalapenos, cut into very thin rounds with seeds (to taste)
• 1/2-1 lime, zested with juice
• 2 -3 teaspoons sweet soy sauce (to taste)
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce (to taste)
• 1 cup fresh basil, whole fresh leaves and flower buds
• 1 cup bean sprouts (optional)
• rice

Directions:

1. 1.) Prepare the ingredients as instructed. Leave the fresh basil leaves whole (no hard stems) the flower buds may also be used.
2. 2.) Heat a wok until very hot. Swirl in the oil to coat the wok surface. Wait a few seconds for the oil to heat, then stir in the garlic, 20 seconds,followed with onion. Stir 20 seconds before adding the chicken.
3. 3.) Stir-fry 1 to 2 minutes, or until most of the chicken has changed color on the outside.
4. 4.) Toss in the chillies, lime zest with juice.
5. 5.) Sprinkle sweet soy sauce over the mixture and stir-fry for another 15 to 20 seconds.
6. 6.) Season to taste with fish sauce, then stir in the fresh basil. Toss well. Stir-fry another 1/2 to 1 minute, or until the basil is wilted and the chicken cooked through.
7. 7.) Stir and transfer to a serving dish, or spoon directly over individual plates of plain steamed rice.
8. Serves 6 to 8 with other dishes in a shared family-style meal.