Larb gai is Thailand's version of a Western-style grilled chicken salad, except the chicken is not grilled--it's stir-fried. This dish is classic, traditional Thai. While this recipe is made with chicken, in Thailand, pork and even beef are also used.
Larb gai is best served while the chicken is still hot from the pan and the greens are cold, though you can also serve it with rice. A key ingredient is fresh mint, which marries beautifully with the chicken. This dish so good, it's a little addictive!
Ingredients
For the Salad Dressing
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1/4 cup fish sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 to 1 fresh red chile, minced, or dried crushed chile, to taste.
For the Salad
4 to 5 loosely packed cups arugula, or other garden greens of choice
10 to 15 medium fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
3 medium green onions, thinly sliced
1 ounce fresh basil leaves
1 small red bell pepper, diced
1/2 medium cucumber, sliced or diced
4 tablespoons raw sticky rice, or 3 to 4 tablespoons chopped peanuts or cashews
1 to 2 tablespoons canola, or vegetable oil
1 medium shallot, coarsely chopped
1/2 pound chicken breast, finely chopped, or ground chicken, pork, or turkey
4 makrut lime leaves, very thinly sliced, optional
2 tablespoons fish sauce
Water, as needed
Steps to make it:
Gather the ingredients.
Combine all salad dressing ingredients together in a cup or bowl. Stir to dissolve sugar. Set aside.
Combine all the cold salad ingredients in a large salad bowl (arugula/salad greens, mint, green onions, basil, red pepper, and cucumber).
If using rice, see instructions below. Set aside.
Place 1 to 2 tablespoons oil in a wok or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the shallots, chicken, and lime leaf (if using).
As you stir-fry, add the fish sauce. Also, add a little water if the pan becomes dry. Stir-fry until chicken is cooked - about 8 to 10 minutes.
Transfer the hot chicken to the salad bowl with prepared salad ingredients. Pour over the dressing and toss well.
Finally, add the chopped nuts or ground toasted rice.
Taste test the salad, adding more fish sauce if you prefer it saltier or more flavorful. Add more dried crushed chili if you prefer it spicier. If too bitter, add a little more sugar.
Garnish with more mint or basil leaves or with some edible flowers.
Serve immediately while the chicken is still warm.
To Make the Rice:
Ground toasted rice is traditionally added to this salad. This dish is also delicious without it or with ground or chopped nuts added instead. However, if you'd like to make this salad the authentic way, here's how:
Place uncooked rice in a dry wok or frying pan over medium-high heat. As rice heats up, shake the pan back and forth or stir with a spoon. After 6 to 8 minutes, the rice will turn a light golden brown and begin to pop (like popcorn).
When it begins to pop, transfer to a coffee grinder or pestle and mortar. Grind down to a coarse powder. (A coffee grinder works well for this. Simply wipe out with a clean, dry cloth, then pour in your rice and grind. For pestle and mortar, use a firm, circular grinding motion.)
Use in your recipe and enjoy!
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