Thai Basil Chicken

This 15-minute Thai Basil Chicken stir-fry recipe is made with fragrant basil, tender chicken breast, and red bell peppers.

I love Thai food because it captures and balances all the flavor elements. Common flavors in Thai food come fresh (rather than dried) herbs and spices like garlic, galangal, coriander/cilantro, lemon grass, shallots, pepper, kaffir lime leaves, shrimp paste, fish sauce, and chilies. Thai food is also all about community, which I can relate to because that’s how I grew up eating in my family. Food tastes better with family and friends around your table, am I right?

Stir fry is super popular, and with good reason. It’s quick, tasty, and this cooking method doesn’t deplete nutrients in the vegetables. The reason why stir fry is so fast is two-fold. First, the food is cut into small pieces. Second, the wok is shaped in a way that the heat concentrates in the middle. This method also uses much less oil, which is healthier. What is STIR-FRY all about?

And any healthy dinner that is done in 15 minutes is a win in my book! With two growing boys and busy evenings, I don’t have the time these days to cook long meals on weeknights. Szechuan Beef Lettuce Wraps, Mediterranean Shrimp, and 5 Minute Wonton Soup are also on rotation in my house because they’re easy and flavorful just like this stir fry.

So, let’s get down to it. Thai Basil Chicken gets it’s name from the type of basil that is used. It’s pretty difficult to find Thai holy basil, which is the traditional type, so most home kitchens and restaurants use Thai basil. If you’re unable to find it, however, Italian basil will do.

How to Make Thai Basil Chicken:

Let’s get to my favorite part! You’ll be shocked at how fast cooking stir fry can be. Once you’ve prepped and chopped your vegetables and chicken, heat the oil in your wok and add aromatics, being careful not to overcook.

Next, add the chicken to the wok and fry, stirring frequently. Remove when they’re a nice golden brown color.

Now, you’ll add peppers and onions to the wok and stir frequently. You should not need to add more oil.

Finally, return all the ingredients to the wok and cook for another few minutes until the flavors meld, adding the Thai basil in at the end.

I like to serve Thai Basil Chicken over Jasmine rice and with a side of Spicy Asian Coleslaw.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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Thai Basil Chicken

Liz Della Croce

5 stars

This 15-minute Thai stir-fry recipe is made with fragrant basil, tender chicken breast, and red bell peppers.

Print Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

CourseCourse: Dinner, Main Dish

ServesServes: 4

Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• ▢ 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil or oil of choice
• ▢ 2 tablespoons ginger minced
• ▢ 3 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 2 teaspoons chili garlic paste optional
• ▢ 20 ounces boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into one-inch pieces
• ▢ 1 medium onion thinly sliced
• ▢ 1 red bell pepper cored and thinly sliced
• ▢ ¼ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
• ▢ 2 tablespoons lime juice
• ▢ 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• ▢ 1 tablespoon sugar
• ▢ salt and pepper to taste
• ▢ ½ cup basil thinly sliced
• ▢ Jasmine rice optional, to serve

Instructions

 

1. ▢
   Heat oil in a large wok or deep skillet over high heat. Add ginger, garlic and chili paste and heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
2. ▢
   Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper to taste then add to the pan. Stir-fry until chicken is golden brown, about 7-9 minutes stirring frequently. Remove from pan; set aside.
3. ▢
   Add peppers and onions to the pan along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir-fry, stirring frequently, until tender, about 5 minutes.
4. ▢
   Return chicken to the pan and add soy sauce, lime juice, fish sauce, and sugar. Cook for 2-3 minutes further. Stir in basil right before before serving over Jasmine rice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cupsCalories: 243kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 32gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 91mgSodium: 1052mgPotassium: 701mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1132IUVitamin C: 45mgCalcium: 26mgIron: 1mg

Liz’s Notes

Thai basil preferred but Italian basil works well too.

Have you tried this?

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