Description
A flavorful and authentic Thai Basil Chicken recipe featuring tender chicken thighs stir-fried with aromatic garlic, shallots, chili, and fragrant Thai basil leaves. This quick and easy dish is perfect served over steamed jasmine rice and topped with a fried egg for an irresistible meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken thigh, boneless and skinless, chopped into small pieces
- ½ tablespoon avocado oil or ghee
- ¼ cup shallots, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic, finely chopped
- 1 Thai bird’s eye chili, deseeded and chopped (optional)
- 35–45 Thai basil leaves, separated from stems
Sauce
- 1½ teaspoons brown sugar
- 1½ teaspoons oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon fish sauce
- ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon water
For Serving
- Steamed jasmine rice
- Fried egg (optional but highly recommended)
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: In a medium mixing bowl, combine chicken pieces with 1 teaspoon light soy sauce and ½ teaspoon fish sauce. Mix well and set aside to marinate for 15 minutes.
- Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, oyster sauce, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, fish sauce, and water until the brown sugar dissolves. Set the sauce aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat avocado oil in a wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallots and garlic, sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant. Add chopped bird’s eye chili and cook for an additional 1 minute.
- Cook Chicken: Add the marinated chicken to the wok and stir-fry for 6 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through.
- Add Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, stirring well to coat everything evenly. Cook for 2 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Finish with Basil: Turn off the heat and stir in the Thai basil leaves until they are wilted and fragrant.
- Serve: Serve the Thai basil chicken hot over steamed jasmine rice and top with a fried egg if desired. Enjoy your meal!
Notes
- For a saucier dish, double the sauce ingredients.
- If bird’s eye chili is too spicy, reduce quantity or omit.
- Avocado oil can be substituted with other neutral oils like vegetable or canola oil.
- Use Thai holy basil for the most authentic flavor if available.
- Marinating chicken enhances flavor and tenderness.
