Cover the chilies with hot water and soak about 30 minutes, until soft. Place the chilies, ginger and curry paste in a food processer or blender along with the lemon zest, basil, cardamom, cumin, coriander, shrimp paste, peppercorns and shallots. Process to a fine paste.
Heat a large skillet and add the oil. Add the curry paste, saute a minute or two, then add the chicken strips and stir-fry to separate the chicken pieces. Add the coconut milk. Stir in the remaining piece of laos, the lime leaf and fish sauce. Simmer, stirring, until the chicken is cooked through. Serve with steamed rice.