Stir-Fried Thai Basil Chicken with Red Chili
A vibrant Thai stir-fry featuring ground chicken cooked with fiery red chili, fragrant basil, and savory sauce for an authentic flavor punch. This thai-inspired chicken ready in about 22 minutes pairs ground chicken, red Thai chilies, garlic cloves 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 ground chicken
- 3, thinly sliced red Thai chilies
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp palm sugar
- 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
- 1 small, sliced white onion
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 3 thinly sliced red Thai chilies, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground chicken and 1 small sliced white onion, stir-frying continuously for 5 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and starting to brown.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp fish sauce, and 1 tsp palm sugar, cooking for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the chicken.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and fold in 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, stirring until wilted and aromatic, then serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Thai Basil Chicken with Red Chili 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 Thai Basil Chicken with Red Chili?
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 Red Chili?
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 Red Chili 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 Red Chili?
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.
