If you love savoring bold and fragrant dishes that burst with authentic Southeast Asian flavors, this Thai Basil Chicken Recipe is an absolute must-try. With tender, juicy chicken thighs cooked alongside punchy garlic, fiery Thai chilies, and an irresistible medley of oyster, soy, and fish sauces, this dish packs a flavorful punch balanced by fresh, aromatic Thai basil leaves. It’s a simple yet sensational homemade recipe that brings the vibrant street-food experience right to your kitchen in just about 30 minutes. Whether you’re craving a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleaser for friends, this Thai Basil Chicken Recipe delivers every time with ease and fantastic taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Thai Basil Chicken Recipe relies on a handful of straightforward ingredients, each playing a crucial role in bringing out the vibrant flavors and textures. From the succulent chicken thighs to the fragrant fresh Thai basil, every element is essential for that genuinely authentic taste and colorful presentation.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: Choose thighs for their tender juiciness and ability to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Vegetable oil: A neutral oil perfect for stir-frying the ingredients to a fragrant, flavorful base.
- Garlic cloves, minced: Packed with pungent aroma that forms the backbone of the dish’s savory profile.
- Thai chilies, thinly sliced: Adds authentic heat; adjust amount to suit your spice tolerance.
- Medium onion, sliced: Brings slight sweetness and texture contrast to the stir-fry.
- Oyster sauce: Adds rich, savory depth and a hint of sweetness.
- Soy sauce: Contributes saltiness and umami notes to balance the dish.
- Fish sauce: Delivers bold umami and a quintessential Southeast Asian flavor.
- Sugar: Just enough to round out and balance the savory and spicy tastes.
- Fresh Thai basil leaves: The star herb that lends a wonderful aromatic freshness to the recipe.
- Cooked jasmine rice: Perfect for serving, its fragrant grains soak up every bit of the delicious sauce.
- Lime wedges: Optional garnish that adds a zesty brightness just before eating.
How to Make Thai Basil Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Start by slicing your boneless, skinless chicken thighs into thin, bite-sized pieces. This ensures quick, even cooking and lets the chicken soak up the sauce perfectly. Setting it aside after slicing will keep your workflow smooth during cooking.
Step 2: Heat the Oil
Place a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and pour in the vegetable oil. The oil needs to be hot enough to gently sizzle the garlic and chilies, releasing their amazing aromas—this is the flavor foundation you want to build on.
Step 3: Sauté Garlic and Chilies
Quickly add minced garlic and thinly sliced Thai chilies to the hot oil. Stir them constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant. This step infuses the oil with those vital spicy and garlicky flavors that define the dish.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken
Add your sliced chicken to the pan, spreading it out so it cooks evenly. Stir often as the chicken loses its pink color, typically around 5 to 7 minutes. A good stir-fry keeps the chicken tender while coating it in the infused oil.
Step 5: Add the Onion
Once the chicken is nearly cooked through, toss in the sliced onion. Continue to stir-fry until the onion softens and turns translucent, bringing a subtle sweetness that beautifully complements the chili heat.
Step 6: Mix the Sauce
In a small bowl, combine oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, and sugar. Stir until the sugar fully dissolves. This rich, balanced sauce melds umami, salty, sweet, and tangy notes, creating the signature flavor profile of the Thai Basil Chicken Recipe.
Step 7: Combine Sauce and Simmer
Pour the sauce mixture over the cooked chicken and onions, stirring well to coat every piece. Let everything simmer for 2 to 3 minutes so the flavors meld together and the sauce thickens slightly, intensifying every bite.
Step 8: Add Thai Basil
The final flourish: toss in the fresh Thai basil leaves and stir just until they are wilted but vibrant. The basil’s distinct aroma instantly elevates the dish, giving it a truly authentic and fresh finish.
Step 9: Serve and Garnish
Plate the fragrant Thai Basil Chicken over a generous bed of jasmine rice. Add lime wedges on the side to squeeze for an extra burst of citrusy brightness that wakes up all the flavors.
How to Serve Thai Basil Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing with fresh lime wedges isn’t just decorative; it adds a wonderful acidity that cuts through the savory richness and brightens each bite. You can also sprinkle some extra fresh Thai basil leaves on top for that final herbal pop, or add crushed peanuts for some crunch and nutty contrast.
Side Dishes
Pairing your Thai Basil Chicken Recipe with simple sides enhances the dining experience. Steamed jasmine rice is a natural match, soaking up the luscious sauce perfectly. For veggies, steamed or stir-fried greens like bok choy, broccoli, or snap peas add freshness and texture, balancing the meal beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving the Thai basil chicken in lettuce cups for a light, handheld version. Or turn it into a filling for a vibrant wrap with fresh cucumber and carrot slaw. Presentation can be as playful as you want, making this dish perfect for casual dinners or lively gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Thai Basil Chicken Recipe tastes fantastic the next day. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often deepen after resting overnight, making it an easy, delicious lunch or quick dinner option.
Freezing
If you want to freeze this dish, pack it tightly into a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty zip bag. It can be stored for up to 2 months. Keep in mind that fresh Thai basil loses some texture after freezing, so add extra fresh leaves when reheating for that burst of aroma.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the chicken gently in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. Add a splash of water or chicken broth if needed to loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving if possible, as the texture of the basil and chicken is best preserved with gentle stovetop reheating.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breast can be used if preferred, but thighs tend to stay juicier and more flavorful in this dish. Just be careful not to overcook breast meat, as it can dry out more easily.
What can I substitute for Thai basil if I can’t find it?
If Thai basil isn’t available, sweet basil is the closest substitute you can use. While it lacks the slightly spicy and licorice notes of Thai basil, it will still add a lovely fresh herbal flavor.
How spicy is this dish?
The spiciness depends on how many Thai chilies you add. For a milder version, reduce the amount or remove the seeds before slicing. For those who love heat, keeping the full amount brings a delightful kick!
Is fish sauce necessary in the recipe?
Fish sauce is key for achieving that authentic umami depth in Thai cuisine. If you need a substitute, soy sauce or tamari can be used, but the flavor won’t be quite the same.
Can this recipe be made vegetarian?
Yes! Replace the chicken with tofu or mushrooms and use vegetarian oyster sauce or a mushroom-based sauce alternative. The fresh herbs and aromatics will still make it wonderfully tasty.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly satisfying about making a vibrant Thai Basil Chicken Recipe at home — simple ingredients come together to create a dish packed with bold, fresh flavors that feel both comforting and exciting. This recipe is perfect for anyone craving a quick, authentic meal that lets you savor the magic of Thai cooking without any fuss. I encourage you to give it a try, and once you do, this fragrant, spicy, and savory dish might just become your new favorite weeknight go-to!
Print
Thai Basil Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 15m
- Cook Time: 0h 15m
- Total Time: 0h 30m
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
Description
This Thai Basil Chicken recipe is a flavorful, quick stir-fry featuring tender chicken thighs cooked with garlic, Thai chilies, and fresh basil leaves. Enhanced with a savory sauce of oyster, soy, and fish sauces, it offers an authentic taste of Thai cuisine that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner served over fragrant jasmine rice.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 small Thai chilies, thinly sliced (adjust according to your spice preference)
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 2 cups fresh Thai basil leaves
- Cooked jasmine rice, for serving
- Lime wedges, for garnish
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Slice the boneless, skinless chicken thighs into thin pieces and set aside.
- Heat Oil: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and sliced Thai chilies to the hot oil, stirring frequently until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Cook Chicken: Add the sliced chicken to the pan and cook until no longer pink, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Add Onion: Stir in the sliced onion and continue to cook until the onion becomes translucent.
- Mix Sauce: In a small bowl, combine oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, and sugar. Mix well until the sugar is dissolved.
- Add Sauce and Simmer: Pour the sauce over the chicken and onions, stirring well to coat. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes to meld flavors.
- Add Basil: Add the fresh Thai basil leaves to the pan and stir until just wilted.
- Serve: Serve the Thai Basil Chicken over cooked jasmine rice and garnish with lime wedges for an extra burst of flavor.
Notes
- Adjust the number of Thai chilies according to your preferred spice level.
- Use fresh Thai basil leaves for the best authentic flavor; sweet basil can be a substitute but will alter the traditional taste.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture and aroma of the basil.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated in a skillet.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with tofu and use vegetarian oyster sauce.
