Quick Thai Basil Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Quick Thai Basil Chicken is a flavorful and aromatic stir-fry that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. Packed with savory, spicy, and slightly sweet notes, this dish comes together fast using ground chicken and fresh Thai basil. Serve it over steamed rice for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• ½ cup diced brown onion or roughly chopped shallots
• 8 oz ground chicken
• 5 cloves garlic, finely chopped or pressed
• ½ cup Thai basil (or regular basil)
• 1 medium red chili, roughly chopped
• 1 medium mild green chili, chopped
• Avocado oil (for cooking)
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce (gluten-free if needed)
• 1 tbsp dark soy sauce (low-sodium if possible, gluten-free if needed)
• 1 tbsp maple syrup (or 2 teaspoons liquid honey)
• 1 tsp garlic chili sauce or sriracha (or any other hot sauce)
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 cup uncooked rice (to serve)
• 2-3 stalks of green onions (for garnish)
• Extra basil leaves (for garnish)
• Sesame seeds (optional)
• Prawn crackers (optional)
• 2 fried eggs (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Finely chop the garlic and both types of chilies to prepare the aromatics.
2. Step 2: Heat a drizzle of avocado oil in a wok or nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions or shallots and sauté for a few minutes until softened. Then add the garlic and chilies, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add the ground chicken to the pan. Cook it until it changes from pink to golden brown, keeping it juicy by avoiding overcooking.
4. Step 4: Stir in the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, maple syrup (or honey), garlic chili sauce (or sriracha), oyster sauce, and fish sauce. Add the chopped red chili and the basil leaves. Stir until the basil wilts but retains its vibrant color. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of water to loosen it.
5. Step 5: Serve the Thai basil chicken over steamed rice. Garnish with chopped green onions, extra basil leaves, and optionally sprinkle sesame seeds. Serve with a fried egg on top and prawn crackers on the side for added texture and flavor.

Tips & Variations

• For a milder flavor, remove the chili seeds before chopping or use fewer chilies.
• Substitute ground turkey or pork if you prefer a different protein.
• Swap maple syrup with brown sugar for a similar sweetness.
• Add vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas for extra crunch and color.
• Use regular basil if Thai basil is not available, though the flavor will be slightly different.

Storage

Store leftover Thai basil chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a pan over medium heat or microwave until warmed through. Avoid overcooking during reheating to maintain juiciness and basil freshness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use dried basil instead of fresh Thai basil?

Fresh Thai basil is preferred for its unique aroma and flavor, but if unavailable, fresh regular basil is a better substitute than dried. Dried basil lacks the vibrant taste and should be used sparingly if at all.

Is this dish spicy?

The heat level depends on the amount and type of chilies used. You can adjust the spiciness by using fewer chilies or removing the seeds. Adding more garlic chili sauce or sriracha will increase the heat.

Quick Thai Basil Chicken Recipe

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4.5 from 101 reviews

Quick Thai Basil Chicken is a flavorful and aromatic stir-fry dish featuring ground chicken cooked with garlic, chilies, and Thai basil, balanced with a blend of savory soy sauces, oyster sauce, and a touch of sweetness from maple syrup. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a perfect weeknight meal served over steamed rice and garnished with fresh herbs and optional crunchy prawn crackers.

• Author: Lily
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Thai

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base Ingredients

• ½ cup diced brown onion or roughly chopped shallots
• 8 oz ground chicken
• 5 cloves garlic, finely chopped or pressed
• ½ cup Thai basil (or regular basil)
• 1 medium red chili, roughly chopped
• 1 medium mild green chili, chopped
• Avocado oil (for cooking)

Sauces and Flavorings

• 1 tbsp light soy sauce (gluten-free if needed)
• 1 tbsp dark soy sauce (low-sodium if possible, gluten-free if needed)
• 1 tbsp maple syrup (or 2 teaspoons liquid honey)
• 1 tsp garlic chili sauce or sriracha (or any other hot sauce)
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp fish sauce

To Serve

• 1 cup uncooked rice (to serve)
• 2–3 stalks of green onions (for garnish)
• Extra basil leaves (for garnish)
• Sesame seeds (optional)
• Prawn crackers (optional)
• 2 fried eggs (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Aromatics: Finely chop the garlic cloves and both the red and green chilies to bring out their flavor and aroma for the dish.
2. Sauté the Base: Heat a drizzle of avocado oil in a wok or nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add diced onions or shallots and sauté for several minutes until softened and translucent. Then add the finely chopped garlic and chilies, cooking for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Cook the Chicken: Add the ground chicken to the pan, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until the chicken turns from pink to golden brown, making sure it stays juicy without overcooking.
4. Add the Sauce and Basil: Stir in all the sauce ingredients: light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, maple syrup (or honey), garlic chili sauce (or sriracha), oyster sauce, and fish sauce. Add the chopped red chili and half of the Thai basil leaves. Stir continuously until the basil wilts but retains its vibrant green color. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of water to loosen it.
5. Serve: Serve the Thai basil chicken hot over steamed rice. Garnish with sliced green onions, extra basil leaves, and sesame seeds if using. Optionally add a fried egg on top and prawn crackers on the side for extra texture and flavor.

Notes

• Use gluten-free soy sauce to make the dish gluten-free.
• Maple syrup or honey can be swapped depending on preference or availability for sweetness.
• Adjust the type and amount of chilies according to your heat tolerance.
• Serving with a fried egg adds richness and makes the dish more filling.
• Prawn crackers add a crispy texture contrast but can be omitted for a lighter meal.
• This dish is best prepared fresh and enjoyed immediately for optimal taste and texture.

Keywords: Thai Basil Chicken, Ground Chicken Stir Fry, Quick Thai Dinner, Thai Basil Recipe, Easy Asian Stir Fry