🍛 Spiced Coconut Basil Chicken with Rice 🌿

**A wholesome delight that brings a touch of Thai cuisine to your dinner table – perfect for busy weeknights!**

🍽️ Ingredients 🍽️
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 lb (450g) chicken thighs or breasts
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste

🧑‍🍳 Directions 🧑‍🍳 
1. Start by preparing the jasmine rice: Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Combine the rice with 1 3/4 cups of water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes. Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 more minutes.
2. While the rice cooks, heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger; sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
3. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until it is browned and nearly cooked through.
4. Stir in the red bell pepper and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until it starts to soften.
5. Pour in the coconut milk, soy sauce, fish sauce, and brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
6. Add the fresh basil leaves, stirring them into the sauce until they wilt and release their flavor.
7. Continue to simmer everything together for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
8. Serve the chicken and sauce over the cooked jasmine rice.

🍎 Nutritional Information 🍎
- Calories: 510
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 8g

💡 Tips and Tricks 💡
- For a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with tofu or tempeh and use a soy-based fish sauce substitute.
- If jasmine rice is unavailable, basmati rice makes a great substitute.
- Add a kick with a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes during the simmering process if you like it spicy.

⏳ Preparation time ⏳
Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 30 minutes | Serving: 4