Thai Green Curry Chicken

This Thai Green Curry Chicken recipe features chunks of tender chicken simmered in a homemade green curry sauce along with healthy vegetables (zucchini and red bell pepper). The result is a gourmet-style Thai green curry that is very aromatic and beautiful to serve (great for entertaining!). The key to good green curry is in not only using the right ingredients, but knowing when to add them. Because this curry is made the same as in Thailand (on your stovetop), I recommend using only smaller pieces or cuts of chicken, allowing for faster cooking and the freshest possible taste. ENJOY!

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• SERVES 2-3
• 1 to 1.5 lbs. (about 0.7 kg) boneless chicken thigh or breast, cut into chunks
• 8 kaffir lime leaves (can be purchased frozen at most Asian food stores)
• a generous handful of fresh basil
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 red bell pepper, de-seeded and cut into chunks
• 1 zucchini, sliced lengthwise several times, then cut into chunks
• 2 Tbsp. oil for stir-frying
• GREEN CURRY PASTE:
• 4 small green Thai chilies, OR substitute 1 to 2 jalapeno peppers
• 1/4 cup shallot OR purple onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 thumb-size piece galangal OR ginger, grated
• 1 stalk lemongrass, sliced thinly OR 3 Tbsp. frozen prepared lemongrass
• 1+1/2 tsp. ground coriander
• 1 tsp. shrimp paste
• 1/2 cup fresh coriander leaves and stems, chopped
• 1 tsp. ground white pepper (can be purchased at some supermarkets, OR at Asian food stores)
• 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp. fish sauce, plus more to taste
• 1 tsp. sugar

Preparation:

For lemongrass tips, see: Buying and Preparing Fresh Lemongrass.

1. Prepare the chicken and chop the bell pepper and zucchini.
2. Place all the "green curry paste" ingredients together in a food processor. Blitz to a paste. If necessary, add a few Tbsp. of the coconut milk to help blend ingredients. Set aside.
3. Prepare the lime leaves by tearing the leaf away from either side of the stem. Discard the central stem. Then, using scissors, cut the lime leaves into thin strips. Reserve.
4. Heat up a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the oil and swirl around, then add the curry paste.
5. Stir-fry briefly to release the fragrance (30 seconds to 1 minute), then add 3/4 of the coconut milk, reserving 2-3 Tbsp. per serving portion (set aside for later). Stir well to mix in.
6. Add the chicken, stirring to incorporate. When the curry sauce comes to a boil, reduce heat to medium or medium-low, until you get a nice simmer.
7. Cover and allow to simmer 3-5 more minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Stir occasionally.
8. Add the red bell pepper and zucchini, plus the strips of lime leaf, stirring well to incorporate. Simmer another 2-3 minutes, or until vegetables are softened but still firm and colorful.
9. Do a taste-test for salt, adding 1-2 Tbsp. fish sauce if not salty enough. If you'd prefer a sweeter curry, add a little more sugar. If too salty, add a squeeze of lime or lemon juice. If too spicy, add more coconut milk. Note that this curry should be a balance of salty, spicy, sweet and sour, plus bitter (the bitter is found in the fresh basil garnish).
10. Serve this curry in bowls with rice served separately, allowing guests to add their own. Top each portion with fresh basil, then drizzle over 2-3 Tbsp. coconut milk, and ENJOY!

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