Laab Gai: Thai Spiced Chicken Salad
Laab Gai is a vibrant and refreshing Thai ground meat salad that makes for a delightful dish in any setting. This recipe features ground chicken, integrated with aromatic herbs and spices that create a flavorful experience. The combination of toasted rice powder gives a unique texture, while the fresh mint and lime juice add a burst of freshness. This dish is best served at room temperature, making it perfect for dinner parties, potlucks, or as a tasty appetizer. Pair it with fluffy jasmine rice, delicate cellophane noodles, or crisp lettuce leaves for a versatile meal that everybody will love.
N/A
Servings
120
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
dry white rice
3 teaspoons (dry roasted and ground to a coarse powder)
cooking oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing (omit if using ground chicken))
garlic
3 cloves (crushed)
ground chicken
1 lb
shallots
6 (sliced)
scallions
4 (sliced)
Thai fish sauce
3 tablespoons
lime juice
3 tablespoons
fresh mint leaves
1/2 cup
ground red pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
Begin by dry roasting the rice in a skillet over medium heat until it becomes golden brown. Allow it to cool, then grind it into a coarse powder using a mortar and pestle or a food processor. Set aside.
2
In the same skillet, heat the cooking oil over medium heat (omit if using lean meat) and sauté the crushed garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3
Add the ground chicken and cook until browned and fully cooked through, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks.
4
Once the chicken is cooked, stir in the sliced shallots and scallions. Continue to stir-fry until the shallots become soft and translucent.
5
Remove the skillet from heat and mix in the roasted rice powder, fresh mint leaves, Thai fish sauce, lime juice, and grind red pepper to taste.
6
Let the mixture cool slightly to allow flavors to meld together.
7
Serve the Laab Gai warm or at room temperature, either over a bed of rice, mixed with cellophane noodles, or wrapped in fresh lettuce leaves for a refreshing bite.
Nutrition Information
5g
Fat
7.5g
Carbs
11g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Laab Gai?
Laab Gai is a vibrant and refreshing Thai ground meat salad made with chicken, aromatic herbs, and spices.
What is the main protein used in this recipe?
The main protein in this recipe is one pound of ground chicken.
What gives Laab Gai its unique texture?
The unique texture comes from toasted white rice that has been ground into a coarse powder.
How many calories are in a serving of this Thai Spiced Chicken Salad?
There are 120 calories per serving.
Is Laab Gai a high-protein dish?
Yes, it contains 11g of protein per serving.
How much fat is in this recipe?
This recipe contains 5g of fat per serving.
What are the carbohydrate levels in this dish?
There are 7.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the best way to serve Laab Gai?
It is best served at room temperature over jasmine rice, with cellophane noodles, or inside crisp lettuce leaves.
How do I prepare the rice powder?
Dry roast white rice in a skillet until golden brown, let it cool, and then grind it using a mortar and pestle or food processor.
Can I omit the cooking oil?
Yes, you can omit the cooking oil if you are using meat that is not lean or if you prefer a lower-fat version.
How much garlic is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 crushed cloves of garlic.
What type of fish sauce should I use?
The recipe specifically recommends using Thai fish sauce for an authentic flavor.
How many shallots are needed?
You will need 6 sliced shallots.
What provides the acidity in the salad?
The acidity comes from 3 tablespoons of fresh lime juice.
When should I add the fresh mint leaves?
Add the fresh mint leaves after removing the skillet from the heat to maintain their freshness and color.
Is this dish spicy?
Yes, it includes ground red pepper to taste, making it a spicy and flavorful salad.
How long should I cook the garlic?
Sauté the crushed garlic until it is fragrant, which usually takes about 1 minute.
How many scallions are used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 4 sliced scallions.
Can Laab Gai be served as an appetizer?
Yes, it is tagged as an appetizer and is perfect for dinner parties or buffets.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy cooking recipe.
What kind of rice is used for the toasted powder?
Dry white rice is used to make the toasted powder.
Should the chicken be browned?
Yes, the ground chicken should be cooked until it is browned and fully cooked through.
Can I serve this dish warm?
Yes, Laab Gai can be served warm or at room temperature.
How much mint is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of fresh mint leaves.
What is the purpose of letting the mixture cool slightly?
Allowing it to cool slightly helps the flavors of the lime, fish sauce, and spices meld together.
How much fish sauce is included?
The recipe requires 3 tablespoons of Thai fish sauce.
What should the texture of the ground rice be?
The rice should be ground into a coarse powder rather than a fine flour.
Can I use cellophane noodles with this dish?
Yes, mixing Laab Gai with delicate cellophane noodles is a recommended serving suggestion.
Is this recipe suitable for a buffet?
Yes, it is an excellent choice for a buffet or potluck setting.
How much ground chicken is used in total?
The recipe uses exactly 1 lb of ground chicken.