Description
A delicious and authentic Thai basil chicken recipe with tender chicken thighs, aromatic Thai basil, and a perfect balance of savory and spicy flavors that cooks in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups fresh Thai basil leaves
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 red chili peppers, chopped
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Prep – Prepare your ingredients by chopping the chicken into bite-sized pieces and mincing the garlic. This ensures even cooking and prevents burning.
- Step 2: Cook Chicken – Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sauté until golden brown (5-7 minutes). Don’t overcrowd the pan.
- Step 3: Add Aromatics – Stir in minced garlic and chopped chili peppers, cooking until fragrant (about 1 minute). Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Step 4: Sauce – In a bowl, combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar; pour over chicken. Simmer for an additional minute to let flavors meld.
- Step 5: Finish – Fold in Thai basil leaves until just wilted. Remove from heat immediately to preserve basil’s vibrant color and flavor.
- Step 6: Serve – Serve hot over jasmine rice or noodles. Garnish with extra basil leaves if desired.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for more flavor and tenderness that won’t dry out during high-heat cooking
- Don’t add the basil too early – it should only wilt slightly to maintain its bright color and fresh taste
- For extra authentic flavor, look for Thai basil at Asian markets – it has purple stems and a more intense flavor than sweet basil
- Adjust chili quantity based on your heat tolerance, but don’t skip it entirely as it’s essential for authentic taste
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 285 calories
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: thai basil chicken, pad kra pao, thai recipe, stir fry, quick dinner, asian cuisine, spicy chicken