Fiery Isan Chicken & Green Beans

This fast, fiery Isan-inspired stir-fry pairs sale-priced chicken with peak-summer Washington green beans, Walla Walla onion, Thai basil, and nutty toasted rice.

Ingredients

  • Foster Farms Fresh & Natural chicken thighs
    12 ounces $1.49
  • Fresh bagged green beans
    8 ounces $2.19
  • Walla Walla sweet onion
    4 ounces $3.99
  • Thai basil
    0.5 ounce $2.49
  • Long-grain white rice
    3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon $1.79
  • Fresh lime
    1 $1.29
  • Garlic
    3 cloves $2.49
  • Neutral cooking oil
    1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons
  • Fish sauce
    1 1/2 tablespoons
  • Low-sodium soy sauce
    1 tablespoon
  • Brown sugar
    1 teaspoon
  • Crushed red pepper flakes
    1 teaspoon
  • Water
    1 1/2 cups
  • Kosher salt
    1/4 teaspoon

Instructions

  1. Slice 12 ounces chicken thighs into bite-size strips; trim and halve 8 ounces green beans, thinly slice 4 ounces Walla Walla sweet onion, mince 3 garlic cloves, juice 1 lime, and pick the leaves from 0.5 ounce Thai basil.
  2. Toast 1 tablespoon long-grain white rice in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, stirring until deep golden and fragrant; crush the toasted rice into a coarse powder with a mortar or rolling pin.
  3. Combine 3/4 cup long-grain white rice, 1 1/2 cups water, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, and cook over low heat for 15 minutes; remove from the heat and rest, covered, for 5 minutes.
  4. While the rice cooks, heat 2 teaspoons neutral cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced 12 ounces chicken thighs and stir-fry for about 6 minutes, until browned and the thickest pieces register 165°F; transfer all chicken cooked from the 12 ounces raw chicken thighs to a plate.
  5. Add 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil, 8 ounces green beans, and 4 ounces Walla Walla sweet onion to the skillet; stir-fry for 4 minutes. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds.
  6. Return all chicken cooked from 12 ounces raw chicken thighs to the skillet. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce, 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce, the juice of 1 lime, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; toss for 1–2 minutes, then remove from the heat and fold in 0.5 ounce Thai basil leaves and the powder made from 1 tablespoon toasted rice.
  7. Divide the cooked yield from 3/4 cup long-grain white rice between 2 bowls, top each with half of the finished stir-fry, and serve immediately.

Total time: 35 minutes

Estimated cost: Approximately $7–$10 for 2 servings

Health notes: About 700 calories per serving, with roughly 38 grams protein, 75 grams carbohydrates, and 23 grams fat.

Drink pairing: A cold lager or lightly chilled Riesling cools the chile heat and complements the lime and Thai basil.