VIETNAMESE CURRY CHICKEN SOUP

Ingredients

1. 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2. 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, halved
3. 2 cups chopped yellow onion
4. 1 clove garlic, minced
5. 2 cups chicken broth or water
6. 1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk
7. 1 stalk lemongrass, peeled and quartered
8. 5 bay leaves
9. 3 tablespoons curry powder
10. 1 to 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper (optional)
11. 1 tablespoon sugar
12. ½ teaspoon salt
13. ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
14. 3 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
15. 2 carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
16. Cooked long-grain white rice
17. Garnish: fresh cilantro

Instructions

1. In a large nonstick skillet or Dutch oven, add oil and heat over high heat. Cook chicken thighs until browned, about 2 minutes per side. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
2. Reduce heat to medium. Add onion and garlic; cook until onion is translucent, about 2 minutes. Add chicken broth or water, coconut milk, lemongrass, bay leaves, curry, red pepper, sugar, salt, and black pepper.
3. Bring liquid to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Add sweet potato, carrot, and reserved chicken. Cook, uncovered, until sweet potato and carrot are tender and the liquid is reduced by half, 25 to 30 minutes.
4. Garnish with cilantro, and serve warm with rice.