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Thai Basil Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 165 reviews

A vibrant and flavorful Thai Basil Chicken stir-fry featuring ground chicken, aromatic garlic and chilies, and a savory, slightly sweet sauce. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner and is served over steamed rice with fresh basil, green onions, and optional toppings like fried eggs and prawn crackers.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Stir Fry:

  • ½ cup diced brown onion or roughly chopped shallots
  • 8 oz ground chicken
  • 5 cloves garlic, finely chopped or pressed
  • ½ cup Thai basil (or regular basil)
  • 1 medium red chili, roughly chopped
  • 1 medium mild green chili, chopped
  • Avocado oil (for cooking, about 1-2 tablespoons)

For the Sauce:

  • 1 tbsp light soy sauce (gluten-free if needed)
  • 1 tbsp dark soy sauce (low-sodium if possible, gluten-free if needed)
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup (or 2 teaspoons liquid honey)
  • 1 tsp garlic chili sauce or sriracha (or any other hot sauce)
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce

For Serving:

  • 1 cup uncooked rice (to serve)
  • 2–3 stalks of green onions (for garnish)
  • Extra basil leaves (for garnish)
  • Sesame seeds (optional)
  • Prawn crackers (optional)
  • 2 fried eggs (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Aromatics: Finely chop the garlic and both the red and green chilies to release their flavors and ensure even cooking.
  2. Sauté the Base: Heat a drizzle of avocado oil in a wok or nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions or shallots and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Then add the garlic and chilies and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  3. Cook the Chicken: Add the ground chicken to the pan. Break it up with a spatula and cook until it changes color from pink to golden brown, about 5-7 minutes, ensuring the meat remains juicy without overcooking.
  4. Add the Sauce and Basil: Stir in all the sauce ingredients: light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, maple syrup (or honey), garlic chili sauce (or sriracha), oyster sauce, and fish sauce. Mix well to coat the chicken evenly. Add the chopped red chili and Thai basil leaves. Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes until the basil wilts but retains its vibrant color. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of water to loosen it.
  5. Serve: Serve the Thai basil chicken hot over cooked steamed rice. Garnish with chopped green onions, additional basil leaves, and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired. Add a fried egg on top and some prawn crackers on the side for extra texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Use Thai basil for authentic flavor, but regular sweet basil can be substituted if unavailable.
  • Adjust the amount of chili according to your preferred spice level.
  • For a gluten-free version, ensure all sauces used are gluten-free.
  • Maple syrup or honey adds sweetness; adjust amount to taste.
  • Cooking the chicken only until golden keeps it juicy and tender.
  • Prawn crackers and fried eggs are optional but enhance the meal.

Keywords: Thai Basil Chicken, Stir Fry Chicken, Thai Chicken Recipe, Ground Chicken Stir Fry, Quick Thai Dinner

Find it online: https://todayquickmeals.com/thai-basil-chicken-recipe/