Thai Rice With Chicken, Cashew Nuts And Dried Chilies
A flavorful Thai-inspired rice dish featuring tender chicken, crunchy cashew nuts, dried chilies, and aromatic seasonings, perfect for a satisfying and vibrant meal.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked rice ⓘ
- 1 cup sliced chicken breasts ⓘ
- 3 dried black mushrooms ⓘ
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup cashew nuts ⓘ
- 2 dried chilies
- 1/2 cup chopped celery ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon monosodium glutamate (optional) ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon cold water (for cornstarch slurry)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth ⓘ
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil ⓘ
Instructions
- Press the cooked rice into a wet ring mold and then remove to a serving plate.
- Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan. Fry the dried chilies, cut with scissors, and set aside.
- In the same oil, fry the sliced chicken breasts and diced onion until lightly browned.
- Sprinkle with garlic salt and optional monosodium glutamate (m.s.g.).
- Keep turning until the chicken and onion are golden brown.
- Add chopped celery, rehydrated black mushrooms, fish sauce, soy sauce, and chicken broth.
- Cover the pan and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the cornstarch mixture and cook until thickened.
- Add cashew nuts and gently turn to combine.
- Spoon the mixture into the center of the rice mold.
- Top with dried chili, and garnish with lemon, tomato, and coriander leaves.
- Serve immediately.
Tips & Substitutions
For optimal flavor, consider marinating the chicken in soy sauce and garlic salt for 30 minutes before cooking. If you can't find dried black mushrooms, you can substitute with shiitake mushrooms or fresh mushrooms, adjusting cooking time accordingly. To add heat, use more dried chilies or fresh chili peppers. For a vegetarian version, replace chicken with tofu and use vegetable broth.
Serving Suggestions
This dish is best served warm, garnished with fresh coriander leaves, lemon wedges, and slices of tomato for added freshness. It pairs wonderfully with a light cucumber salad or steamed vegetables. Consider serving it alongside other Asian-inspired dishes, such as Chicken Continental Rice, for a complete meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, use a microwave or a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to prevent the rice from drying out. Avoid reheating more than once to maintain quality.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Thai Rice With Chicken, Cashew Nuts And Dried Chilies contains roughly 1440 calories, with 45g protein, 86g carbohydrates, and 110g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (90% of the Daily Value), iron (80% of the Daily Value), and potassium (34% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice for this recipe?
Yes, you can use brown rice as a healthier alternative, but be aware that it has a longer cooking time and may require additional liquid. Make sure the brown rice is fully cooked before mixing it with other ingredients.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To increase the spiciness, you can add more dried chilies or incorporate fresh chili peppers when frying the chicken. Additionally, a dash of chili oil or sriracha can be mixed in at the end for an extra kick.
Is it possible to prepare the rice ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can cook the rice a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just make sure to let it cool completely before refrigerating, and reheat it with a little water in the microwave or on the stove before assembling the dish.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).