Dinner Tonight: Iron Pot Chicken Recipe

Name: Dinner Tonight: Iron Pot Chicken Recipe
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons fish sauce; 3 tablespoons sugar; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 3 large shallots, cut into quarters, or half a medium onion, cut into 8 wedges; 1 pound chicken thigh meat (about 1.3 pounds on the bone), cut into bite-size pieces; 10 fresh Thai bird chilies, stemmed and crushed, or 4-5 dried ones; in a pinch (no pun intended) use red chili flakes; 1 inch piece ginger, peeled and cut into fine julienne or matchsticks; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 3/4 cup chicken stock or water; 2 sprigs cilantro, chopped; 1/2 cup cooked white rice, for serving (optional)