Spicy Thai Lemongrass Chicken with Crisp Green Beans
Experience a burst of flavor with this Spicy Thai Lemongrass Chicken featuring tender chicken strips stir-fried with fresh green beans and aromatic herbs. This dish brings together the vibrant tastes of lemongrass, garlic, and Thai basil, balanced with a savory sauce. Quick to prepare in under 30 minutes, it's perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. Serve it over fragrant basmati rice for a complete and satisfying meal that showcases the freshness of Thai cuisine.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Green Chinese long beans
1 lb (trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces or substitute with young green beans trimmed and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces)
Peanut oil
2 teaspoons (none)
Boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 1/4 lbs (all fat removed, cut crosswise into thin strips)
Medium onion
1 (thinly sliced, rings separated)
Garlic cloves
4 large (minced)
Lemongrass
2 stalks (tough outer leaves removed, minced)
Thai fish sauce
3 tablespoons (none)
Sugar substitute
2 teaspoons (none)
Ground coriander
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
Turmeric
1 teaspoon (none)
Fat-free no-salt-added canned chicken broth
1/2 cup (none)
Spicy oyster sauce
2 tablespoons (none)
Fresh ground pepper
to taste (none)
Cooked basmati rice
2 cups (none)
Thai basil
1/4 cup (fresh, for garnish)
Instructions
1
Begin by boiling the green beans in salted water until they are crisp-tender, about 2-3 minutes. Drain them and immediately plunge them into ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain again and set aside.
2
In a large heavy non-stick skillet or wok, heat the peanut oil over high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken strips and stir-fry for about 4 minutes, until the chicken is nearly cooked through.
3
Next, add the sliced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Stir-fry for an additional 2 minutes, allowing the onions to soften and the garlic to become fragrant.
4
Stir in the minced lemongrass, fish sauce, sugar substitute, ground coriander, and turmeric. Mix well and continue to stir-fry for another 2 minutes so the flavors meld.
5
Add the blanched green beans, chicken broth, and spicy oyster sauce to the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium and allow the mixture to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the chicken is cooked through, about 4-5 minutes.
6
Season the dish with freshly ground pepper to taste.
7
To serve, mold the cooked basmati rice using a 1/2 cup measuring cup and place it on each plate. Surround the rice with the lemongrass chicken and green beans. Garnish with fresh Thai basil leaves and serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this Thai dish?
The dish is Spicy Thai Lemongrass Chicken with Crisp Green Beans.
How long does it take to prepare this meal?
This recipe is quick to prepare and can be completed in under 30 minutes.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
What type of chicken is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 1/4 lbs of boneless skinless chicken breasts with all fat removed.
What kind of beans are used in this Thai stir-fry?
You can use 1 lb of Green Chinese long beans or young green beans.
How should the green beans be prepared?
They should be trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces (or 1 1/2-inch for regular green beans), boiled for 2-3 minutes, and then plunged into ice water.
What is the purpose of placing the beans in ice water?
Plunging the beans into ice water stops the cooking process to keep them crisp-tender.
What type of oil is used for stir-frying?
Peanut oil is used because it can handle the high heat required for stir-frying.
How do you prepare the lemongrass?
Remove the tough outer leaves and mince the stalks before adding them to the skillet.
What are the primary spices used for seasoning the chicken?
The chicken is seasoned with ground coriander, turmeric, and freshly ground pepper.
What liquid components make up the sauce?
The sauce includes Thai fish sauce, fat-free chicken broth, and spicy oyster sauce.
How should the chicken be cut?
The chicken breasts should be cut crosswise into thin strips.
What type of rice is recommended as a side?
Fragrant cooked basmati rice is recommended for serving.
When should the garlic and onion be added?
Add the sliced onion and minced garlic after the chicken has been stir-frying for about 4 minutes.
How many garlic cloves does this recipe require?
The recipe requires 4 large minced garlic cloves.
What sweetener is used in this dish?
The recipe specifies 2 teaspoons of a sugar substitute.
How long should the mixture simmer after adding the broth and oyster sauce?
The mixture should simmer for about 4 to 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
What is used as a garnish for the final plate?
Fresh Thai basil leaves are used as a garnish.
What is the suggested method for plating the rice?
Mold the cooked basmati rice using a 1/2 cup measuring cup to place it on the plate.
What category does this recipe fall into?
This recipe is categorized as a "< 30 Mins" meal.
Can I use regular oyster sauce?
The recipe specifically calls for spicy oyster sauce to provide the intended flavor profile.
What heat level should the oil be at when starting the stir-fry?
The peanut oil should be heated over high heat until it is shimmering.
How many stalks of lemongrass are needed?
Two stalks of lemongrass are used in this recipe.
What type of onion is required?
One medium onion, thinly sliced with rings separated, is required.
Is the chicken broth salted?
The recipe specifies using fat-free no-salt-added canned chicken broth.
What is the texture of the green beans in the final dish?
The green beans should be crisp-tender.
How much fish sauce is used?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of Thai fish sauce.
What tools are best for cooking this dish?
A large heavy non-stick skillet or a wok is ideal for this stir-fry.
How much basmati rice is needed?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of cooked basmati rice.
What are the tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include thai cuisine, stir-fry, chicken, quick meals, rice dishes, healthy recipes, and easy dinner.