Description
A quick and flavorful Thai Chilli Basil Chicken recipe featuring tender chicken thigh pieces stir-fried with aromatic garlic, fiery bird’s eye chili, and fresh Thai basil leaves. This dish is perfect for a fast and satisfying weeknight meal, served hot with steamed jasmine rice for an authentic Thai experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 225g / 7oz chicken thigh fillets, skinless boneless, cut into bite size pieces
- 1 green onion, cut into 4cm / 2″ lengths (separating white and green parts)
- 1 cup Thai basil leaves, loosely packed (Holy Basil if available)
- 2 garlic cloves, large, finely chopped
- 1 bird’s eye or Thai chili, deseeded and finely chopped
Sauce
- 2 tsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce (or all purpose soy sauce)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp water
Other
- 1 1/2 tbsp oil (peanut, vegetable or canola oil)
- Steamed jasmine rice, to serve
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, combine oyster sauce, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, and water. Stir well to mix all the sauce ingredients thoroughly.
- Heat the oil: Place a wok or a wide pan over high heat and add the oil. Allow it to get hot enough for stir-frying.
- Cook garlic and chili: Add the finely chopped garlic and bird’s eye chili to the hot oil. Stir-fry quickly for about 10 seconds, releasing their aromatic flavors. Be careful not to inhale directly as the chili can cause coughing.
- Cook chicken and green onion whites: Add the white part of the green onion and the chicken pieces to the pan. Stir-fry until the chicken is cooked through, approximately 2 minutes, ensuring the chicken is no longer pink inside.
- Add the sauce: Pour in the prepared sauce mixture. Continue to cook and stir for about 1 minute until the water content reduces and the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency coating the chicken well.
- Finish with herbs: Toss in the green part of the green onions and the Thai basil leaves. Stir gently just until the basil wilts, preserving its bright flavor and vibrant color.
- Serve: Immediately serve the fragrant chilli basil chicken hot with steamed jasmine rice for a complete and authentic Thai meal.
Notes
- Note 1: If Thai holy basil is unavailable, regular Thai basil can be used as a substitute without compromising flavor too much.
- Note 2: Adjust the amount of chili used based on your heat preference but be cautious as bird’s eye chilies are very spicy.
- Note 3: Light soy sauce adds saltiness while dark soy sauce adds color and a touch of sweetness; both balance the flavor profile perfectly.
