Thai Basil Chicken 

A beloved Thai street‑food stir‑fry, Thai Basil Chicken brings together fragrant garlic, fiery chilies, and bold basil in a savory-sweet sauce. This quick, vibrant dish takes under 15 minutes—from sizzling aromatics in a hot wok to tossing in basil leaves until just wilted. Featuring juicy minced or diced chicken (often thigh for richer flavor), the dish is simple yet satisfying with steamed jasmine rice and an optional crisp fried egg. Easy to adjust for spice level or protein, it delivers authentic Thai taste that fits any weekday meal.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) ground or finely chopped chicken (thigh or breast)
  
  

• 3 Tbsp neutral oil (vegetable, peanut, or canola)
  
  

• 5 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
  
  

• 3–4 Thai bird’s-eye chilies (or 1 serrano), finely chopped (adjust to taste)
  
  

• 1 tsp sugar
  
  

• 2 Tbsp light soy sauce
  
  

• 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
  
  

• 1 Tbsp fish sauce (optional but recommended)
  
  

• ¼ cup chicken broth or water
  
  

• 1 generous handful fresh Thai basil leaves (holy basil if available)
  
  

• Optional: green onions or bell pepper slices for extra texture
  
  

Directions

1. Mix sugar, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and fish sauce (if using), plus broth or water. Set aside.
   
   

2. Heat oil in a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Add garlic and chilies, stir‑fry for ~1 minute until aromatic.

3. Add chicken and stir‑fry, breaking it into small pieces, until nearly cooked through (~2–3 minutes).
   
   

4. Pour in sauce mixture, stir for another minute as liquid reduces and glazes chicken.

5. Toss in basil leaves (and green onion if using), stir until just wilted—about 20–30 seconds. Remove from heat.
   
   

6. Serve hot with steamed jasmine rice; top with a fried egg if desired.

Nutrients 

(Estimated per 1‑cup serving of Thai basil chicken stir‑fry, not including rice or egg)

• Calories: ~353 kcal
  
  

• Protein: ~29 g
  
  

• Carbohydrates: ~23.5 g (Sugars ~5.9 g, Fiber ~2.4 g)
  
  

• Total Fat: ~17.6 g (Saturated ~3.5 g)
  
  

• Cholesterol: ~82 mg
  
  

• Sodium: ~941 mg
  
  

• Potassium: ~353 mg
  
  

• Calcium: ~47 mg
  
  

• Iron: ~2.4 mg