Sautéed Chicken with Garlic and Basil Stir-Fry
Tender chicken breast strips stir-fried with fragrant garlic and fresh basil leaves for a quick, flavorful Asian-inspired dish. This asian-inspired chicken ready in about 20 minutes pairs thinly sliced chicken breast, fresh basil leaves, 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 3, 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
- 12 oz, thinly sliced chicken breast
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp red chili flakes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 12 oz thinly sliced chicken breast and stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until the chicken turns opaque and begins to brown.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper, tossing to coat the chicken evenly.
- Step 5: Add 1 cup fresh basil leaves and stir-fry for an additional 1-2 minutes until the basil wilts and infuses the dish with aroma.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Chicken with Garlic and Basil Stir-Fry take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Sautéed Chicken with Garlic and 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 Sautéed Chicken with Garlic and 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 Sautéed Chicken with Garlic and Basil Stir-Fry for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Sautéed Chicken with Garlic and Basil Stir-Fry?
Asian 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.
