Stir-Fried Thai Basil Chicken with Crispy Garlic
A flavorful Thai stir-fry featuring tender chicken pieces tossed with fragrant garlic and fresh basil leaves, served over steamed rice. This thai-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, vegetable oil, garlic cloves, minced 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 6 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small red chili, sliced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
- 2 cups steamed jasmine rice
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs into bite-size pieces. Set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 3: Add 6 minced garlic cloves and 1 sliced small red chili to the hot oil. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and stir-fry for 6-7 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned on edges.
- Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp fish sauce, and 1 tsp brown sugar. Cook for another 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the chicken.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and fold in 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves until wilted and aromatic.
- Step 7: Serve immediately over 2 cups steamed jasmine rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Thai Basil Chicken with Crispy Garlic 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 Thai Basil Chicken with Crispy Garlic?
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 Thai Basil Chicken with Crispy Garlic?
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 Thai Basil Chicken with Crispy Garlic 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 Thai Basil Chicken with Crispy Garlic?
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.
