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Chicken With Thai Basil

Chicken with Thai basil is a high-heat stir-fry with golden-seared chicken pieces, fiery Thai chiles, and a savory soy–fish sauce–lime glaze. Fresh Thai basil is folded in at the end so it wilts just enough to release its peppery, anise-like aroma over steamed rice.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Thai
Calories: 610
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken thigh stir-fry
  • 1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, sliced
  • 2 tbsp canola oil
  • 3.5 Thai chiles, sliced Use 3 for mild; 4 for hotter.
  • 4 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 shallots, sliced
  • 2 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves Fold in at the end to wilt.
  • 1 steamed rice, for serving

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Prep and heat the pan
  1. Have all ingredients prepped and the sauce measured out before turning on the heat.
  2. In a wok or large frying pan over high heat, add the canola oil, Thai chiles, shallots, and garlic, and fry for 1 to 2 minutes until softened and just starting to brown.
Cook the chicken and glaze
  1. Add the sliced chicken thighs and cook, tossing, until golden brown and cooked through.
  2. Whisk together the oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, and brown sugar, then pour into the pan and stir until everything is evenly coated and heated through.
Finish with basil and serve
  1. Remove from heat and fold in the fresh Thai basil leaves until just wilted.
  2. Serve hot over steamed rice.

Notes

Pro tip: keep the pan very hot so the chicken browns quickly without steaming. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days; reheat gently in a skillet until warmed through, then add a few fresh basil leaves if you want more aroma. Freezing is not recommended for best basil texture. For a lighter option, use low-sodium soy sauce and reduce the brown sugar slightly to match taste.