Stir-Fried Garlic Basil Chicken with Bell Peppers

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant stir-fry featuring tender chicken breast and crisp bell peppers infused with fragrant garlic and fresh basil leaves. This thai-inspired stir fry ready in about 25 minutes pairs thinly sliced chicken breast, loosely packed 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 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Thai cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Add 500 g thinly sliced chicken breast and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until the chicken turns white and starts to brown at the edges.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 sliced red bell pepper and 1 sliced yellow bell pepper, continuing to stir-fry for 3 minutes until the peppers soften but remain crisp.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp water, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss everything together and cook for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the ingredients.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and fold in 1 cup fresh basil leaves, stirring just until wilted and aromatic, about 30 seconds. Serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Garlic Basil Chicken with Bell Peppers 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 Stir-Fried Garlic Basil Chicken with Bell Peppers?

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 Stir-Fried Garlic Basil Chicken with Bell Peppers?

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 Garlic Basil Chicken with Bell Peppers 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 Garlic Basil Chicken with Bell Peppers?

Thai stir fry 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.

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