Thai Basil Chicken

★ 4.6 · Easy

This fast, punchy stir-fry of ground chicken, garlic, chiles, and fragrant Thai basil is a staple street food dish in Thailand, and it comes together in well under 30 minutes at home.

10 minPrep Time

12 minCook Time

22 minTotal Time

4 servingsYield

Why You'll Love This

Ready in about 20 minutes
Bold, savory, spicy flavor from a classic Thai street food
Great with a fried egg on top

Ingredients

2 tablespoonsvegetable oil
4 clovesgarlic, minced
2Thai chiles or 1 jalapeno, minced (adjust to taste)
1 lbground chicken
1small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
3 tablespoonssoy sauce
1 tablespoonoyster sauce
1 tablespoonfish sauce
1 tablespoonbrown sugar
1 cupfresh Thai basil leaves (or regular basil)
4 cupscooked jasmine rice, for serving
4fried eggs, for serving (optional)

Nutrition (estimated per serving)

410Calories

28gProtein

16gFat

41gCarbs

2gFiber

980mgSodium

Nutrition information is an estimate calculated from the ingredients listed and will vary based on the specific products used. It is not a substitute for advice from a nutrition professional.

Method

In a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and brown sugar until the sugar dissolves; set this sauce aside.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering and just beginning to smoke.
Add the garlic and chiles, and stir-fry for 15 to 20 seconds, until fragrant but not browned.
Add the ground chicken, breaking it up with a spatula, and stir-fry for 4 to 5 minutes, until mostly cooked through and no longer pink, with some browned bits forming.
Add the sliced bell pepper and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes, until just starting to soften but still crisp.
Pour in the sauce mixture and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked through (165F) and everything is well coated and glossy.
Remove the wok from the heat and stir in the fresh basil leaves until just wilted, about 15 to 20 seconds; do not overcook, or the basil will lose its bright color and aroma.
Taste and adjust seasoning with a little more fish sauce or sugar if needed.
Serve immediately over hot jasmine rice, topped with a fried egg if desired.

Tips

Cooking over very high heat and working quickly is key to authentic stir-fry texture; have all ingredients prepped and within reach before you start cooking.
Add the basil off the heat at the very end so it wilts gently instead of turning dark and bitter from overcooking.