Description
This authentic Thai Basil Chicken recipe is a quick and flavorful stir-fry dish featuring fragrant Thai basil, spicy chilies, and ground chicken. Perfect for a fast weeknight dinner, it combines savory, sweet, and spicy flavors with tender chicken and aromatic herbs.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 tablespoons oil
- 3 Thai bird chilies or holland chilies (de-seeded if desired and thinly sliced)
- 3 shallots (thinly sliced)
- 5 cloves garlic (sliced)
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 2 teaspoons sugar (or honey)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1/3 cup low sodium chicken broth (or water)
- 1 bunch holy or Thai basil leaves
Instructions
- Heat the oil: In a wok over high heat, add 3 to 4 tablespoons of oil and heat until it shimmers, preparing the pan for stir-frying.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the thinly sliced chilies, shallots, and garlic to the hot oil. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until they become fragrant and slightly soft, releasing their flavors.
- Add chicken: Incorporate the ground chicken into the wok. Stir-fry for about 2 minutes, breaking the meat into small pieces to ensure even cooking and partial browning.
- Season: Mix in 2 teaspoons of sugar (or honey), 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon of fish sauce. Cook for an additional minute to allow the flavors to blend well with the chicken.
- Deglaze: Pour in 1/3 cup of low sodium chicken broth or water to deglaze the pan. Cook quickly over high heat, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid evaporates, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add basil: Remove the wok from heat, then immediately add the bunch of holy or Thai basil leaves. Stir to wilt the basil and release its aroma. Serve the dish hot, ideally over steamed rice.
Notes
- Adjust the number of chilies according to your spice preference; remove seeds for less heat.
- Use fresh Thai basil for the most authentic flavor, but holy basil is a good substitute.
- For a low sodium option, use low sodium soy sauce and chicken broth.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine rice or sticky rice.
- You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey or pork if preferred.
- If you want the dish less oily, reduce the oil quantity or drain excess after cooking.
