Description
Culinary magic blends tropical coconut basil chicken with fragrant jasmine rice, creating a harmonious dance of Thai-inspired flavors. Comforting yet exciting, this dish promises a delightful journey that will transport you straight to Southeast Asian kitchens.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 can (14 ounces/400 milliliters) coconut milk
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1/2 cup (15 grams) fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lime juice
- 2 cups (370 grams) cooked rice (white, brown, or jasmine)
Instructions
- Prepare rice according to package directions, setting aside for later use at room temperature.
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then sear in a hot skillet with olive oil for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Remove chicken from skillet and let rest on a cutting board while preparing aromatic base.
- In the same skillet, sauté onions until translucent and softened, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and ginger, stirring quickly to prevent burning and releasing their fragrant oils.
- Sprinkle ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chili powder, toasting spices for 1-2 minutes to enhance their complex flavors.
- Pour coconut milk and chicken broth into the skillet, whisking to incorporate spices and scrape any caramelized bits from pan bottom.
- Reintroduce seared chicken into the simmering sauce, allowing it to absorb the rich, spiced liquid for 5 minutes.
- Finish the dish by stirring in fresh basil leaves and a splash of lime juice, balancing the creamy sauce with bright, herbaceous notes.
- Plate the spiced chicken over prepared rice, garnishing with additional basil for a vibrant presentation.
Notes
- Customize spice levels by adjusting chili powder quantity for heat-sensitive palates or those wanting bolder flavors.
- Choose bone-in chicken thighs for more richness and deeper flavor complexity if preferring juicier meat.
- Toast whole spices briefly before grinding to enhance their aromatic qualities and release more intense flavor profiles.
- Consider dairy-free or vegan alternatives by substituting chicken with firm tofu and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg