Thai basil chicken is one of the famous chicken recipes in Thailand. When I was in Malaysia for high school, there was tons of Thai food served everywhere, Basil chicken is one of the most popular dishes.
Get ready to impress your friends and family with this easy Thai basil chicken recipe. It’s guaranteed to become your new favorite weeknight meal! This Thai basil chicken recipe is so flavorful, that you won’t believe how simple it is. The perfect blend of sweet, salty, and savory flavors come together in a dish that’s not just delicious, but also as simple as can be.
Why Thai Basil Chicken（泰式九层塔炒鸡肉） is so popular?
The main reason for its popularity is that it is very quick and easy and is delicious. It is worth mentioning that you will surely love the chicken texture. The chicken breast that is chopped in small sizes emerges to be very flavorful and tender without marinating.
No crazy techniques or obscure ingredients required—just the good stuff! This quick and super flavorful chicken dish will have everyone going back for seconds…and thirds! Even people who claim that they don’t care for basil are sure to love this delicious chicken recipe!
Fresh Thai Basil for Big Flavors
Fresh Thai basil is the key to this easy basil chicken recipe, so don’t skimp on it! Thai Basil is flavorful, easy to grow in an indoor herb garden, and incredibly inexpensive making it a must-have herb in any kitchen. It can also be frozen, so there’s no excuse not to have a delicious supply ready and waiting for you at any time.
There are several types of basil out there, however, Thai basil and sweet basil are two different things. Thai basil has a taste that is less sweet than sweet basil. Sweet basil has green stems, and Thai basil has purple stems. Thai basil added at the end of the cooking process will give the dish a unique, bright flavor that sweet basil leaves just aren’t able to achieve. It’s important to add the basil at the end, because it will lose its flavor if cooked for too long.
Delicious “Thai Basil Chicken” for Dinner Tonight
Chicken is a classic kitchen staple that can be served in so many ways. It’s also incredibly adaptable when it comes to a wide range of flavors, making it a perfect base dish for any meal. This quick and easy basil chicken recipe makes a delicious, one-wok meal that’s packed full of flavor. Serve it with a side of rice or some steamed vegetables, and you’ve got an easy, healthy, and delicious meal for the whole family.
This Thai basil chicken dish is also a great dish for meal prep! Just divide the chicken and sauce into individual containers for easy lunches and dinners throughout the week. Just be sure to add some rice or pasta to each serving, as it’s a perfect meal that’s simple to reheat in the microwave. A perfect dish to make ahead of time for busy weeknights.
This recipe sticks to more of a traditional Thai basil chicken cooking method, with just enough sauce to cover the stir-fry and soak into the rice.
Final Thoughts
Thai basil chicken is undoubtedly a favorite stir fry for many. It is a complex flavor bomb that certainly makes people go for more.
This recipe is perfect for a quick dinner. It’s also an excellent dish to serve to guests or to take to a potluck. Whether you’re feeding your family or entertaining, this recipe is sure to be a big hit.
Thai Basil Chicken
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast skinless, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 cups Thai basil leaves
- 2 green onions cut into small chunks
- 1 cup yellow onion finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic sliced
- 4 slices of fresh ginger cut into thin lengthwise sticks
- 1 small red chili finely chopped (for garnish, add more depending on your taste)
- 2 tablespoon cooking oil
Sauce
- 2 teaspoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch slurry
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 2 teaspoons light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Gather the ingredients. Measure all the sauces, and then set them aside.
- Pour 2 tablespoons of cooking oil into the wok on medium-high, and cook the green onion, onion, ginger, and garlic for about 2 minutes, remember to stir frequently until fragrant.
- Pour the chicken breast pieces in and stir until the chicken is no longer pink and cooked thoroughly.
- Add oyster sauce, light soy sauce, chicken broth, dark soy sauce, fish sauce, cornstarch slurry, and brown sugar into the chicken. Let it simmer for 1 minute so or until the sauce thickens.
- Lastly, fold in the basil leaves in. Let the wok simmer for 2 minutes or until the Thai basil leaves are wilted.
- Garnish with fresh red chili slices on the top of the dish.
- Serve with steamed white rice immediately. Enjoy!
