Thai-Style Chicken with Basil and Pineapple

By á-2304

Ingredients

• 2 3/4 cups chicken stock
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 1 1/2 cups jasmine rice
• Peanut or vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 lbs. chicken breast, chopped into bite-size pieces
• Pepper
• 1 cup pineapple cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 bell pepper—seeded, thinly sliced
• 1 red Fresno (milder) or Thai (hotter) chile pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 1/2 inches fresh ginger, grated
• 3 –4 large cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 tbsp. tamari
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 1 1/2 tbsp. fish sauce
• 1 cup basil leaves, torn
• 1 lime, 1/2 juiced and 1/2 cut into wedges, plus 1 tsp. zest

Preparation

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken stock and butter to a boil, then stir in the rice and return to a boil. Lower the heat, cover and simmer until tender, 16 to 18 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

When the rice is about ready, heat a thin layer of oil, about 1 1/2 tbsp., in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Pat the chicken dry and season with pepper. Add the meat to the pan in a single layer and do not touch for 2 minutes; stir-fry until golden, about 3 minutes more. Transfer to a plate.

Add a little more oil to the skillet and heat up, then add the pineapple, bell pepper, chile pepper, ginger and garlic and stir-fry until crisp tender and the pineapple pieces are light golden at the edges, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tamari and sugar and fish sauce. Add the chicken and toss to coat.

Turn off the heat and add half the basil leaves to wilt. Stir in the lime juice and zest and toss again to combine. Serve with the rice and garnish with the lime wedges and remaining basil.