Thai Basil Chicken

29 Days(s) Ago 👁 190

Thai Basil Chicken- Make this better-than-takeout recipe in the comfort of your own home in less than 20 minutes. This insanely flavorful, healthier, and lighter option to the traditional restaurant version is a guaranteed hit with the family.

I love Thai restaurants and can eat basil chicken any day of the week. But making it at home is especially perfect for a stress-free weeknight dinner. Its a flavorful and healthy improvement to the standard fast-food fix. Besides, garlic, Thai basil, and chili pepper make everything better!

Before my blogging days, I used to use these flavors in my cooking as often as possible. Now, not so much-I have to diversify, right? But the unique flavor of Thai basil with that anise-like quality keeps calling me back.

Is Thai Basil Chicken Spicy?

In general, Thai food is pretty spicy. While this Thai basil chicken recipe has quite a kick, its definitely on the milder side. Instead of using the super-hot red chili pepper, I add sriracha sauce and pepper flakes so my sous chef can enjoy it, too! However, feel free to add more chili sauce or spicy red chilis if you are a heat seeker.

Ingredients Youll Need

Oil- Vegetable oil works because of its high smoke point. You could also use other neutral-tasting oils, such as canola or peanut.

Seasonings- Onion and garlic provide the perfect flavor base. Sriracha sauce and red pepper flakes add layers of flavor and just the right amount of heat without being overpowering.

Chicken- My preference is skinless, boneless chicken breasts for convenience. But you could also use chicken thighs or ground chicken.

Sauce- Fish sauce, soy sauce, and sugar combine to give this dish its signature hot, sweet, savory, and umami flavors.

Thai Basilleaves provide a fresh, peppery flavor with just a hint of licorice. However, you can substitute sweet basil or Italian basil if you cant find them at your local grocery store. And the dish will turn out spectacular.

How to Make Thai Basil Chicken

Rice- If youre serving this dish with rice, start cooking the rice before you cook the chicken.
Seasonings- Heat oil in a wok or saucepan, swirl to coat the pan, and add onions, garlic, sriracha sauce, and pepper flakes-saute until fragrant, 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to let it burn.
Chicken- Add chicken and cook until its no longer pink and is slightly browned (7-10 minutes). You can add a little water, if desired, to prevent burning.
Sauce- Add the brown sugar, fish sauce, and soy sauce. Continue simmering until the sauce thickens and the chicken cooks through.
Basil- Finally, stir in the basil leaves. Turn the heat off once the leaves wilt.
Serve- Dish it up on a serving platter and serve with steamed rice for an authentic Thai dish.

Variation Ideas

Protein swap.Replace the chicken with your favorite protein, such as turkey, shrimp, pork, or tofu.

Veggie add-ins.Add chopped red bell pepper, fresh mushrooms, snow peas, broccoli, or baby corn for extra nutrients and color.

Go nuts!Add toasted cashews to the dish or garnish it with a sprinkle of roasted peanuts for a delightful crunch.

Fried rice. A great leftover makeover is Thai basil chicken fried rice. Chop everything up, melt some butter in a skillet, add leftover rice and chicken, add a little soy sauce, and heat through.

Pad krapow. This similar dish uses Thai holy basil instead of the regular basil. Black soy sauce, yard-long beans, and ground meat or chicken deliver close to an authentic recipe.

Tips and Tricks

For an extra special touch, lightly fry the basil until crispy and use as garnish.

This recipe comes together quickly, so have everything ready before you start.

High heat is key to a flavorful stir fry. Make sure the oil is ripping hot when you start.

Make-Ahead Instructions

Thai basil chicken cooks up in a flash once all the prep work is done. That said, you can do most of the prep worka day in advance. Chop the chicken, onion, and garlic and refrigerate them in separate containers.

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