Quick Stir-Fried Thai Basil Chicken with Chilies

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant, spicy stir-fry featuring ground chicken, fresh Thai basil, and fiery chilies that comes together quickly for a satisfying weeknight meal. This thai-inspired stir fry (gluten free option) ready in about 25 minutes pairs ground chicken, vegetable oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Thai cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 3 thinly sliced fresh Thai red chilies, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb ground chicken to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring frequently, until the chicken is browned and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp fish sauce, and 1 tsp brown sugar. Continue cooking for 2 minutes until the sauce coats the chicken and begins to thicken.
  4. Step 4: Remove the skillet from heat and fold in 1 cup loosely packed fresh Thai basil leaves and 2 sliced green onions, tossing until the basil wilts and releases its aroma.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice and lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the dish.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick Stir-Fried Thai Basil Chicken with Chilies 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 Quick Stir-Fried Thai Basil Chicken with Chilies?

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 Quick Stir-Fried Thai Basil Chicken with Chilies?

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 Quick Stir-Fried Thai Basil Chicken with Chilies 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.

Is Quick Stir-Fried Thai Basil Chicken with Chilies gluten free option?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free option based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes