Spicy Thai Basil Chicken
A classic Thai street food dish made with ground chicken stir-fried in a savory-spicy sauce with garlic, chilies, and fragrant Thai basil. It’s quick, full of umami flavor, and best served over jasmine rice with a fried egg on top.
Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings:4
Ingredients
1.5 lbs (700g) ground chicken (or diced chicken breast/thigh)
2 tbsp vegetable oil
5 cloves garlic, minced
3–4 red Thai chilies (or bird’s eye chilies), finely chopped
1 medium shallot (or red onion), finely chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
1 cup Thai basil leaves (sub: holy basil if available, or sweet basil)
Sauce
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp fish sauce
2 tsp dark soy sauce
2 tsp brown sugar
Instructions
Make sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, dark soy sauce, and brown sugar. Set aside.
Stir-fry aromatics: Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high. Add garlic, chilies, and shallot. Stir-fry 30 seconds until fragrant.
Cook chicken: Add ground chicken. Stir-fry until cooked through, breaking into small pieces (about 5–6 minutes).
Add sauce: Pour sauce mixture into the pan. Stir well to coat chicken evenly. Add bell pepper (if using) and cook another 2 minutes.
Add basil: Turn off heat. Toss in basil leaves and stir until just wilted.
Serve: Spoon over hot jasmine rice. Optional: top with a crispy fried egg.
Serving Suggestions
Traditionally served with steamed jasmine rice.
Add a fried egg on top (runny yolk mixes with the sauce = delicious).
For a lighter option, serve over cauliflower rice or lettuce wraps.
Notes & Tips
Use Thai holy basil if you can find it (more peppery/spicy than sweet basil).
Adjust chili level — use fewer chilies for mild, or add more for fiery heat.
You can substitute chicken with ground pork, beef, or tofu.
Dark soy sauce is optional but adds color and depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make it less spicy?
Yes — reduce chilies and add a diced red bell pepper for flavor without extra heat.
Q: Can I meal prep this?
Yes, it keeps well in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat gently before serving.
Q: Is fish sauce necessary?
It adds authentic Thai umami flavor, but you can use extra soy sauce if you don’t have it.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 310
Protein: 33g
Fat: 15g
Carbs: 9g
Sodium: 880mg