Stir-Fried Thai Basil Chicken with Garlic and Chilies
A vibrant and spicy Thai street food classic featuring minced chicken stir-fried with aromatic garlic, fiery chilies, and fresh holy basil leaves. This thai-inspired chicken ready in about 20 minutes pairs ground chicken, vegetable oil, garlic cloves, thinly sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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 ground chicken
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 6 cloves garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 4 bird's eye chilies, chopped
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tsp palm sugar
- 1 cup, packed fresh holy basil leaves
- 4 cups white rice, cooked
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 6 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 4 chopped bird's eye chilies, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground chicken to the wok, breaking it apart with a spatula. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and starting to brown.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tsp dark soy sauce, and 1 tsp palm sugar. Cook for another 2 minutes, tossing to coat the chicken evenly and allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Step 4: Remove the wok from heat and stir in 1 cup packed fresh holy basil leaves until wilted and aromatic, about 30 seconds.
- Step 5: Serve immediately over 4 cups of cooked white rice for an authentic Thai meal.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Thai Basil Chicken with Garlic and Chilies 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 Stir-Fried Thai Basil Chicken with Garlic and 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 ground chicken from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Thai Basil Chicken with Garlic and 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 Stir-Fried Thai Basil Chicken with Garlic and 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 Stir-Fried Thai Basil Chicken with Garlic and 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.
