Stir-Fried Chicken with Sweet Chili and Fresh Basil
A lively stir fry combining tender chicken with a sweet chili sauce and aromatic fresh basil for a balanced, popular flavor. This asian-inspired chicken ready in about 22 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken breast, vegetable oil, minced fresh 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
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4, minced fresh garlic cloves
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 3 tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 cup, roughly chopped fresh basil leaves
- 2, sliced diagonally green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast into 1/2-inch strips. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Add 4 minced fresh garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes to the skillet, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add the chicken strips to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring frequently, until the chicken is golden and cooked through.
- Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp sweet chili sauce, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and fold in 1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh basil leaves and 2 sliced green onions, tossing gently to combine and wilt the basil.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Chicken with Sweet Chili and Fresh Basil 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 Stir-Fried Chicken with Sweet Chili and Fresh Basil?
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 vegetable oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Chicken with Sweet Chili and Fresh Basil?
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 Stir-Fried Chicken with Sweet Chili and Fresh Basil 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 Stir-Fried Chicken with Sweet Chili and Fresh Basil?
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.
