One-Pot Spicy Thai Basil Chicken Stir-Fry
A quick and flavorful Thai stir-fry with ground chicken, fresh basil, and spicy chilies, perfect for a weeknight dinner. This thai-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs ground chicken, vegetable oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 ground chicken
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 3 Thai bird’s eye chilies, sliced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
- 2 stalks green onions, chopped
- 4 cups steamed jasmine rice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 3 sliced Thai bird’s eye chilies, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burned.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground chicken to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 thinly sliced red bell pepper, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp fish sauce, and 1 tsp brown sugar. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the bell pepper softens and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and fold in 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves and 2 chopped green onions until the basil wilts.
- Step 5: Serve immediately over 4 cups steamed jasmine rice, spooning the savory sauce over the top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Spicy Thai Basil Chicken Stir-Fry take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 One-Pot Spicy Thai Basil Chicken 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 ground chicken from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Spicy Thai Basil Chicken 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 One-Pot Spicy Thai Basil Chicken 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 One-Pot Spicy Thai Basil Chicken Stir-Fry?
Thai chicken 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.
