Spicy Stir-Fried Thai Basil Chicken with Chilies
A classic Thai stir fry featuring minced chicken, fresh Thai basil, and fiery red chilies cooked in a savory sweet sauce. This thai-inspired chicken ready in about 22 minutes pairs minced chicken, vegetable oil, finely chopped garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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
- 400 g minced chicken
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4, finely chopped garlic cloves
- 5, sliced bird’s eye chilies
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp, finely chopped palm sugar
- 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 4 finely chopped garlic cloves and 5 sliced bird’s eye chilies, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 2: Add 400 g minced chicken to the wok, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook for 4-5 minutes until the chicken is no longer pink and starts to brown.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tsp dark soy sauce, and 1 tbsp finely chopped palm sugar. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the chicken.
- Step 4: Remove from heat, stir in 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves and 1/4 tsp white pepper until the basil wilts and the dish is fragrant, about 1 minute. Serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Stir-Fried Thai Basil Chicken with Chilies take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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 Spicy 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 minced chicken from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy 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 Spicy 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.
What goes well with Spicy Stir-Fried Thai Basil Chicken with Chilies?
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.
