Thai Basil Chicken

A quick and easy stir fry, this recipe for Thai Basil Chicken is a wonderfully authentic Thai recipe that you can make fresh at home, no matter where you are!

Pair this tender, spicy, herbaceous dish with jasmine rice and steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

A staple at Thai restaurants all over the world, and street vendors in Thailand, Basil Chicken is a simple to make, delicious recipe that is so easy to replicate at home.

You can stir fry this chicken in a wok if you have one, but it works perfectly in a standard large frying pan too, so there’s no need to break out the fancy cookware today!

If you love Thai food as much as I do, you’ll love my Thai Pineapple Fried Rice. The slight sweetness of this rice will pair wonderfully with the spicy Thai basil chicken.

You can also try making Thai Beef Stir Fry (Pad Kra Pao), or grilled Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce.

Thai Basil Chicken Recipe Highlights

• Hearty Pieces of Chicken – Sometimes you’ll see this recipe made with minced chicken (Pad Krapow Gai if you’re reading the Thai restaurant menu), but I like it better with larger pieces of juicy, flavorful dark meat chicken.
• Traditional Flavors – The sauce or glaze for my Thai Basil Chicken is made with simple Asian ingredients, just like the dish would be prepared in Thailand. Thai Basil, with it’s slight anise flavor, is the star of the show.
• Fast and Easy – Once you’ve prepped the ingredients, this whole dish cooks in about 10 minutes on the stove! Have your side dishes ready and cook up this main entree last so that you can serve it piping hot.

Ingredients In Thai Basil Chicken

Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

• Chicken Thighs: While you could technically make this recipe with chicken breast meat, chicken thighs have more fat in them, and are the classic choice. Slice boneless, skinless thighs into bite-sized pieces before you get started.
• Shallots and Garlic: These aromatic veggies create a savory base layer of flavor for the dish. Mince the garlic finely, and slice the shallot into thin pieces.
• Thai Chili Peppers: These small red peppers add heat to the party! You can use just 1 for a milder dish, or add an extra one for more spice. Dice the pepper finely, and be careful, as the oils from the peppers can burn your eyes. I like to wear gloves when chopping peppers to be on the safe side.
• Fish Sauce: A salty, umami sauce made from fermented salt fish, this is a key flavor ingredient for many Thai recipes.
• Soy Sauce: For even more flavor!
• Granulated Sugar: To balance the salty and spicy flavors and create a thick, sticky glaze on the chicken.
• Thai Basil: This type of basil is widely used in Southeast Asian cuisine and has a distinctive flavor. It tastes a bit spicy and like anise and licorice. You’ll be able to find Thai basil in some large grocery stores. If not, check in at your local Asian supermarket.

How To Make Thai Basil Chicken

Recipe Tips

• Mise en place: This French term means “put in place”, or “set up”, and is key to any stir fry recipe. Since this dish cooks so quickly, you should have all of your ingredients prepped and measured and close at hand so you can add them to the pan at the right time.
• To ensure that this recipe is gluten free, use gluten free soy sauce or tamari.
• Add Veggies: You can stir fry vegetables in the pan after you’ve cooked the chicken if you’d like. Choose quick cooking veggies such as diced bell peppers, green beans, or snow peas.
• Other protein options: Try this dish with chicken breast meat or ground chicken. It would also work well with lean pork.

Storing Tips

If you aren’t able to enjoy your Thai chicken stir fry right away, you can store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It’s easy to warm up in the microwave and makes a great lunch the next day!

What To Serve With Thai Basil Chicken

A savory chicken stir fry like this one is going to be best paired with rice! I suggest steamed jasmine rice or my Thai pineapple fried rice.

Another authentic way to enjoy Thai Basil Chicken is with a fried egg on top.

Steamed or sauteed veggies such as mushrooms, broccoli, or snap peas would be the perfect healthy side dish.

On its own, this dish is low carb. Keep it that way by serving it with cauliflower rice or steamed vegetables. To make it keto-friendly, swap out the sugar for your favorite low-carb sweetener. The sauce may not thicken as well, but it will still be quite tasty!

Recipe FAQs

What does thai basil taste like?

Thai Basil is one of over a hundred varieties of basil that exist in the world, and is primarily cultivated and used in Southeast Asia. Thai basil tastes slightly spicy, with hints of anise or licorice.

In contrast, sweet basil has a peppery, sweet flavor that pairs better in Italian dishes like Basil Pesto.

Can I use regular basil in place of thai basil?

If at all possible, I suggest finding some Thai Basil to make this recipe with. The flavor of Thai basil is much different than “regular” or sweet basil.

In Thailand, this dish would traditionally be made with Thai holy basil, which is a different basil variety with a very intense, peppery flavor. This ingredient is difficult to find outside of Asia though.

Is Thai Basil Chicken Spicy?

Yes, and the spice is part of its charm! If you want to reduce the spiciness of the dish, use less than 1 chili pepper. You could potentially leave the chili out altogether, but I think that the chicken would taste like it was missing something.

Enjoy an authentic taste of Thailand with this easy recipe for Basil Chicken! Save this recipe for the next time you’re craving takeout. Your homemade version will taste so much better.