Ingredients
3 tablespoons fish sauce
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil
3 large shallots, cut into quarters or half a medium onion, cut into 8 wedges
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into pieces 1 inch square and 3/4 inch thick
10 fresh Thai bird chilies, stemmed and crushed
1 ounce ginger, peeled and cut into fine julienne
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup chicken stock or water
2 sprigs cilantro, chopped
Cooked white rice for serving (optional)
Preparation
In a small bowl, combine fish sauce and sugar, set aside. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add shallots or onion and stir until translucent, 1 to 2 minutes.
Add fish sauce mixture and stir until sugar carmelizes and turns golden brown. Add chicken and stir until opaque about 2 minutes. Add chilies, giner and black pepper and stir for 2 minutes. Add stock or water, raise heat to high, and bring to a boil. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until sauce is reduced and thickened and chicken is cooked, about 5 more minutes. Stir in cilantro and if desired, serve over rice.
