If you’re looking for a healthy, hearty meal that doesn’t involve hours of preparation, this Cambodian-style ginger chicken stir-fry is perfect! Cambodian cuisine combines Chinese, Indian, Thai, and French influences. 

It's important to note that Cambodian cuisine is known for its sweet and sour flavors. If you've ever eaten fresh ginger with any meat (think about adding it to your stir-fry), then you'll know just how flavorful it can be! 

This delicious ginger chicken stir-fry is sure to be a hit, whether you're cooking for family or friends. The ingredients in this dish are simple and easy to find. The unique combination of ingredients in this recipe gives it a distinctly Cambodian feel.

Cambodian-Style Ginger Chicken Stir Fry

Cha khnei sach moan also referred to as chicken with ginger, is a sweet and savory stir-fry made with chicken, ginger, and green onion in a sweet and tangy sauce. It is usually served with rice but can also be eaten as an appetizer or snack.

This recipe uses brown sugar, dark soy sauce, and oyster sauce to achieve the desired balance of sweet and sour flavors. The chicken is cooked until just tender but still juicy. If you want to spice it up, add more red pepper flakes. 

However, this recipe uses only a half teaspoon of red pepper flakes not to overpower any other flavors that might be added later on down the road when making this dish. 

CAMBODIAN HERITAGE, CULTURE, AND WELLNESS 

Cambodia is home to three major ethnic groups: Khmer (the largest group), Cham (an Austronesian group), and Vietnamese. Each culture has its distinct cuisine that reflects its history and geography within the country. Additionally, French colonization influenced Cambodian food; you'll notice similarities between French cuisine and classic Cambodian dishes.

Cambodian cuisine is underrated and not very popular in the United States. Maybe that's because the recipes are created using ingredients such as seafood and spices that you probably don't think of as "American" food. Many similarities exist between Cambodian, Thai, Vietnamese, and Lao cuisines.

In America, you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who knows much about Cambodian cuisine. However, the country is rich in cultural history and heritage—some of those elements dating back centuries.  As a result, it's often overlooked as an option for your next meal out or potential travel destination. 

The United States has a thriving community of Cambodian chefs and restaurateurs dedicated to preserving and sharing their heritage through food. Cambodian restaurants around the U.S. often feature traditional Khmer cuisine dishes, including soups, stews, curries, and stir-fries. 

But many also serve Westernized versions of these dishes—some with a twist on traditional ingredients or preparation methods—to appeal to customers who may not be familiar with Southeast Asian cuisine.

There isn't a lot of recognition of Cambodian cuisine in foodies’ circles, but this style of cooking has a lot to offer. This chicken with ginger stir fry recipe combines all of these influences into one delicious dish that can be enjoyed any time of year!

Ginger Chicken Stir Fry Recipe

It's time to spice things up in the kitchen with this easy-to-make and oh-so-tasty ginger chicken stir fry recipe. It's simple to make at home but tastes delicious with both rice and noodles on the side. 

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into small pieces/cubed
• 1 small piece of ginger, peeled and cut into matchsticks (can replace with 1 tsp of dried ginger)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 medium green onions, cut into 1 ½ to 2-inch pieces
• 3-4 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon vegetarian (mushroom) oyster sauce
• 1-½ teaspoon dark soy sauce
• ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 4-5 tablespoons of neutral oil, such as canola or peanut
  

NOTE: red pepper flakes, *optional* — can replace with ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Using a spoon, peel ginger and slice it into matchstick-size pieces. Chop your green onions into 1-inch pieces, and mince the garlic. Keep aside
   

2. Slice the chicken into strips or 1/2-inch pieces using a sharp knife. Set aside
   

3. Combine brown sugar, vegetarian oyster sauce, and dark soy sauce in a small bowl to create a sweet and savory sauce. Taste the sauce to ensure that the flavor is perfectly balanced between salty, savory, and sweet. Adjust according to your taste.
   

4. Using a large wok or nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. As soon as the oil begins to heat up or starts to ripple, add the ginger sticks. Cook the ginger for approximately 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently and adjusting the heat as necessary to avoid scorching, until golden brown; stop a bit short of browning it completely, as it will continue to cook after the heat has been turned off. Take the fried ginger out of the pan with a spoon and place it on a plate, leaving the oil in the pan.
   

5. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for a few minutes until it becomes fragrant. After that, stir in the chicken pieces and cook until the color of the chicken changes from pink to white. While the chicken is cooking, add half the green onions and season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes.
   
   

6. Stir the chicken with the sauce mixture until it is fully coated. Continue to cook the chicken for another 1 to 2 minutes until it has reached a proper internal temperature and is cooked through. Stir the fried ginger into the pan after the liquid in the sauce has mostly evaporated. Add the remaining green onion and let it cook for 1-2 minutes and then turn off the heat and transfer the ginger chicken to a serving plate. Garnish the chicken with the remaining fried ginger and serve warm over white rice.
   

How to make Ginger Chicken Stir Fry

This Cambodian-style chicken stir-fry is a quick and easy meal packed with flavor. It's also super simple and can be made in less than 30 minutes! 

The recipe begins by preparing the chicken. This process includes cutting the chicken into strips or bite-size pieces. Then prepare the sauce by mixing soy sauce, oyster sauce, and brown sugar. 

Slice the ginger into matchstick-size strips and stir fry in oil over medium heat. Remove from the pan and add garlic and fry it until fragrant. 

Add chicken to the pan and let it simmer and then add green onions and season it with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Add fried ginger and remaining onion once the sauce's liquid has mostly disappeared. After this, garnish it with fried ginger and serve warm over rice or noodles. 

Benefits of Ginger in cooking

Ginger is commonly found in Southeast Asian cuisine, such as Thai food and Vietnamese cooking. In Cambodia, it is often paired with chili peppers which may cause some heat on your tongue. 

Ginger is an essential ingredient in Cambodian cooking. It can be used as a natural food preservative, and it's been used for centuries to treat stomach problems like motion sickness. It has many health benefits and can make various dishes, including curries and other stews. 

Ginger helps fight off colds and flu by boosting your immune system. In addition to its medicinal properties, ginger has been shown to reduce inflammation and joint pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties. 

It's also been used to treat nausea and vomiting, arthritis, rheumatism, and muscle aches. The rhizome contains a compound called gingerol, which gives ginger its spicy flavor. Ginger is also packed with vitamins and minerals like manganese and potassium.

Conclusion

Taking the time to learn how to make Cambodian food will open up a new world of cooking options and flavors. From the simple and flavorful chicken with the ginger dish to more complex dishes like Khmer curry, chicken with cashews and coconut milk, or chicken with lemongrass - there is something for everyone! 

^{Adapted from Nhum, a cookbook by Rotanak Ros (Rotanak Food Media, 2019)}