Thai Basil Chicken
This Thai Basil Chicken is SO EASY! A quick, flavorful stir-fry with fragrant herbs, tender chicken, and a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and spicy.
Equipment
- Wok or large skillet
- Spatula
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Cutting board and knife
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 shallots thinly sliced
- 6 cloves garlic thinly sliced
- 1 Tablespoon fresh ginger minced
- 1/2 bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1 pound ground chicken lean, or diced chicken breast or ground turkey
- 2 teaspoons light brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon fish sauce or substitute hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon oyster sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Asian Garlic Chili Sauce or Sambal Oelek more or less to taste, for heat
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2/3 cup fresh basil leaves
- Cooked Jasmine rice for serving
Instructions
- In a large wok or skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Allow it to get hot but not smoking.
- Add the thinly sliced shallots and cook for about 2 minutes until they start to become translucent. Then, add the garlic and ginger, stirring frequently to avoid burning, for about 1 minute.
- Toss in the sliced bell pepper and continue to sauté for another 2-3 minutes, until the vegetables are tender yet still crisp.
- Add the ground chicken (or diced chicken breast/turkey) to the pan. Break it up with your spatula and cook until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
- Sprinkle in the light brown sugar, fish sauce, low-sodium soy sauce, oyster sauce, and Asian garlic chili sauce. Stir everything together to ensure the chicken is well coated.
- Pour in the chicken broth and water. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with a little water to create a slurry, then add it to the pan. Stir constantly until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Finally, add the fresh basil leaves and give everything a good stir. Cook for an additional minute until the basil is wilted and fragrant.
- Serve your Thai Basil Chicken over cooked Jasmine rice. Enjoy the delightful blend of flavors and textures!
Notes
- Use ground turkey or tofu for a tasty variation.
- Adjust the chili sauce amount to control spiciness.
- Always add fresh basil at the end for best flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Use a cornstarch slurry to achieve a perfect sauce consistency.