Best Ever Thai Basil Stir-Fry
A quick stir-fry of marinated chicken, snap peas, and crispy shallots in a garlic-lime sauce, finished with fragrant Thai basil. This thai-inspired asian ready in about 35 minutes pairs thinly sliced chicken breast, snap peas, thinly sliced shallots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, thinly sliced chicken breast
- 12 oz snap peas
- 4, thinly sliced shallots
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup, torn Thai basil
- 2, juiced lime
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 cups, cooked rice
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb thinly sliced chicken breast, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp lime juice, and 1 minced garlic clove. Marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature.
- Step 2: Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add 1 tbsp oil and swirl to coat. Add 4 thinly sliced shallots and sauté for 2 minutes until golden and crispy. Remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add the remaining 2 minced garlic cloves to the pan. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, then add the marinated chicken. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 4: Add 12 oz snap peas and stir-fry for 3 minutes until tender-crisp. Pour in 2 tbsp lime juice and 1 tbsp fish sauce. Stir to combine, then add 1/2 cup Thai basil. Cook for 1 minute until the leaves wilt and release their aroma.
- Step 5: Serve over 2 cups cooked rice, garnished with the crispy shallots and additional lime wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best Ever Thai Basil Stir-Fry take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Best Ever Thai Basil Stir-Fry?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep thinly sliced chicken breast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best Ever Thai Basil Stir-Fry?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Best Ever Thai Basil Stir-Fry for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Best Ever Thai Basil Stir-Fry?
Thai asian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.