This quick & easy Thai Basil Chicken is budget-friendly, light, and full of flavor – all blend in a perfect flavor combination. Great for busy weekday meals and can be done in less than 20 minutes.
After spending long hours in the kitchen daily, I always opt-in for a portion of quick and easy comfort food for dinner. Here are my requirements for homemade dinner meals.
- Must be easy to make,
- Quick to prepare (less than 30 minutes), and
- It hits jackpot if it only requires the use of one skillet/wok in the making.
- Bonus point: it must be fresh, healthy, and satisfying.
If I can sum it up or write a book, it probably reads comfort food in a hurry.
Okay, that’s a long list. But to be fair, I often mix-and-match ingredients I find in the pantry and create something fun from there. After all, it’s all about comfort food and that’s when this Thai chicken basil idea kicks in.
What is Thai basil chicken
Thai Basil Chicken (pad kra pao gai ผัดกระเพราไก่) is one of the most popular street foods in Thailand. It is a simple, down to earth dish that can be ready in 10 minutes but flavorful.
The ingredients
- Garlic to add a unique, pungent flavor
- Bell pepper to add color to the dish and some crunch
- Chicken. You can use ground chicken or matchstick-sliced chicken
- Fresh Thai basil leaves or regular “sweet” basil. Fresh basil works the best!
- Oyster sauce, fish sauce, tamari/soy sauce. You can skip the oyster sauce and just use fish sauce and soy sauce
- Vegetable oil to cook this Thai basil chicken dish
- Optional: Thai chilies if you like it spicy
How to cook basil chicken
- In a small bowl, combine the oyster sauce, fish sauce, and tamari/soy sauce. Set aside.
- Heat the wok on high heat and add the oil. Add the garlic, chilies, and bell pepper, and stir fry for 20 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the chicken and keep stir frying. If it gets too dry, add a tiny splash of water.
- Add the sauce and keep stirring for another 30 seconds.
- Toss the basil leaves into the pan, then immediately turn off the heat. Basil leaves will continue to wit and cook from existing heat of the chicken. Serve over jasmine rice and a fried egg.
What is the main ingredient in Thai food?
In case you’re not familiar with Thai food, Thai cuisine gets its flavor from fish sauce. It might sound intimidating but you can substitute it with soy sauce. Today, you can find fish sauce in major grocery stores in the Asian food aisle.
Fish sauce is like magic, adding umami and a depth of flavor to so many savory dishes with its pungent smell.
Storing
Store any leftovers for the next day’s lunch in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
You can also freeze Thai basil chicken in the freezer for up to 3 months. But with just 10 minutes to make, I recommend cooking a fresh Thai dish.
What should I serve with Thai basil chicken
Rice. Thai basil chicken is usually served over rice. And you can add a fried egg on top. Learn how to cook rice properly in this post.
For a low-carb option, serve this basil chicken over cauliflower rice, broccoli rice, or shirataki rice.
You can also serve this chicken basil with saucy Thai meatballs or garlic fried rice.
If you aren’t familiar with Thai Basil Chicken, prepare to fall in love…and the good news is you don’t need to go to Thailand to enjoy Thai Chicken Basil comfort food.
Thai Basil Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 cloves garlic roughly chopped
- ½ medium-size red bell pepper sliced
- ½ lb ground chicken
- 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves off the stems
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon tamari/soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 5 Thai chilies optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the oyster sauce, fish sauce, and tamari/soy sauce. Set aside.
- Heat the wok on high heat and add the oil. Add the garlic, chilies, and bell pepper, and stir fry for 20 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the chicken and keep stir frying. If it gets too dry, add a tiny splash of water.
- Add the sauce and keep stirring for another 30 seconds.
- Toss the basil leaves into the pan, then immediately turn off the heat. Basil leaves will continue to wit and cook from existing heat of the chicken. Serve over jasmine rice and a fried egg.
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
I am so with you! I get fried from cooking for work all day, then when it comes to dinner I want something fast and delicious. This certainly fits the bill! Yummy.
Linda says
We’re on the same page, Katie. And yes, this is my comfort food after working all day. Hope you get a chance to try this.
Joanna says
Yum! Do you think this would be good with a peanut sauce instead of the oyster sauce? Love thai dishes:)
Linda says
Hi Joanna, I don’t think it will work well with peanut sauce since the flavor is different. I normally make Thai chicken satay using peanut sauce. Let me see if I can find it for you and hope you get a chance to try this 🙂
fabiola@notjustbaked says
This looks perfect for my dinner tonight! I also love that oil, and use it often.
lauren says
This looks amazing.. i am going to pin this so I dont forget the recipe
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
Looks so incredibly good!
Karen @ Karen's Kitchen Stories says
Wow, I love this combo of flavors and the photos are stunning.
annabelt - geeks diet says
That looks so good – I want to make it now!
Krayl @ An Appealing Plan says
OK – now I am starving!!
Shannon Hall says
This looks so good! I am all about quick dinners because I have so much else to do every night!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) says
This looks so fantastic. The flavors are amazing!
Joy | The Joyful Foodie says
Thai basil is one of my favorite herbs. Such a wonderful flavor! I’m definitely going to keep an eye out for this wok oil now (love that they’re local!) because the flavors sound amazing.
Linda says
Totally agree! Time to shop for wok oil now.
Zainab says
This looks like a delicious weeknight dinner!!!
Treats by Tanya says
Thank you for sharing this recipe! Your photos are lovely and it sounds divine! I’m on a quest for healthy eating, and the lemongrass would give it a light spring flavor ~ I can’t wait to try it! 🙂
Linda says
Yummmm! That sounds awesome and now I need another batch of this with lemongrass.
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Love the Thai basil flavors here! It looks fantastic and you can’t beat easy meals especially for weeknights . That wok spray sounds great too!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
I love the sound of a quick, one pan, healthy and nutritious meal! Even if I haven’t slaved over two cakes! 😛 Great looking recipe Linda!
Linda says
Awwww thanks, Lorraine 🙂
Amy | Club Narwhal says
Oooh, you are totally on to something here! This looks fabulous (I always am looking for tasty, quick meals and this totally fits the bill)!
Lily Lau says
This dish looks brilliant, Linda! 🙂 Thanks for sharing these Thai delicacies with us!
Linda says
Thanks, Lily. I love Thai food especially something quick and easy like this one 🙂
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
I haven’t tried this dish in Thai restaurant, but the other day I saw a video on how to make this and I’ve been thinking about it. And now I see your recipe here! I must try this recipe! It looks so good!!!
Linda says
Totally! You need to give it a try and hope you like it 🙂