Basil Chicken
Basil Chicken is a flavorful Thai dish that combines tender chicken with aromatic basil and a savory sauce. This easy recipe brings the delicious taste of Thailand into your kitchen, perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
Prep
10 minutes
Cook
15 minutes
Level
Easy
Serves
4
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Illustrated cooking guide
Step-by-step visual method
A polished English infographic for the whole cooking flow, paired with the full written recipe below for detail and SEO.
Instructions
- 1
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- 2
Add the minced garlic and sliced chilies to the skillet, sautéing for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- 3
Add the chopped chicken thighs to the skillet. Cook for approximately 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the chicken is browned and cooked through.
- 4
Stir in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and sugar. Mix well to coat the chicken evenly, letting the sauce simmer for about 2 minutes.
- 5
Remove the skillet from heat and fold in the fresh basil leaves, allowing them to wilt in the residual heat.
- 6
Serve the Basil Chicken hot over steamed Jasmine rice.
Tips
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in soy sauce and garlic for 30 minutes before cooking.
Adjust the spiciness by adding more or fewer chilies based on your preference.
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Helpful notes
Practical storage, serving, swap, and troubleshooting notes for a better first try.
Storage Tips
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.
Substitutions
- Use tofu or shrimp for a vegetarian or seafood version of this dish.
- Replace fish sauce with soy sauce for a vegetarian alternative.
What to Serve With
- Steamed Jasmine rice
- Stir-fried vegetables
- Cucumber salad
Common Mistakes
- Not cooking the chicken thoroughly before adding the sauce.
- Using too much sauce, which can overpower the dish.
Recipe FAQ
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, chicken breasts can be used, but thighs are recommended for their juiciness and flavor.
What can I substitute for Thai basil?
You can use regular sweet basil, but the flavor will be different. Adjust to taste.
Is this dish spicy?
The dish can be spicy based on the amount of bird's eye chilies you use. Adjust according to your spice tolerance.
Kitchen tools
Helpful Tools for This Recipe
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Rice cooker
Good for steady rice, grains, and meal-prep bowls.
Blender
Helpful for smooth sauces, soups, marinades, and purees.
Saucepan
Useful for simmering sauces, soups, grains, and small-batch stews.
Chef knife
A basic prep tool for vegetables, herbs, aromatics, and proteins.
Cutting board
Keeps prep organized for chopping, slicing, and staging ingredients.
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