Thai Basil Chicken Recipe

By Rena Awada | Updated On October 2, 2020

This Thai Basil Chicken recipe serves up the most delicious and easy chicken! Honey, garlic, basil, and a host of other goodies come together in this super popular Thai street food dish. Healthy, easy, and oh so tasty!

thai basil chicken recipe in a skillet.


Thai Basil Chicken is arguably the most beloved of Thai chicken recipes! It’s a super quick and easy Thai dish that tastes as good as your favorite restaurant’s. Serve with rice for a delicious meal that’s bound to bring a smile to your face! Made with chicken breast, garlic, bell peppers, soy and oyster sauce, honey, and some fresh basil. This meal is also perfect for meal prepping and taking to work for lunch.

If you’re looking for other delicious chicken recipes, why not also try my Easy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole and my Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken!

Why you’ll love this thai basil chicken recipe

  • Coated in a delicious sauce. The chicken has a deep and flavorful coating, made with oyster sauce, honey, and soy sauce.
  • Fried basil. Fresh basil is gently pan-fried, adding a delicious herbal note and lovely texture to the dish.
  • An easy Thai recipe. This all comes together so quickly, no fancy ingredients. From pantry to table in less than 30 mins.
top view chicken stir fry with basil

ingredients you’ll need

  • Boneless Chicken Breast
  • Fresh Basil
  • Olive Oil
  • Veggies – green onions, bell peppers, red chili
  • Kosher Salt
  • Oyster Sauce
  • Soy Sauce
  • Honey
  • Sesame Seeds
ingredients for recipe

how to make this thai basil chicken recipe

  • Make your sauce – In a small bowl, whisk your oyster sauce, honey, and soy sauce. Set aside.
  • Fry the basil – Add basil in a single layer to a skillet with oil. Fry undisturbed for 1-2 minutes. Remove from the skillet.
  • Sauté – Add your aromatics and bell peppers to the skillet and sauté until sizzling.
  • Cook the chicken – Add cubed chicken to the skillet and cook until golden brown. Simmer for 5 mins and add in the fried basil.
  • Garnish, serve, and enjoy!
chopped bell peppers
cooking chicken in a black skillet.

recipe notes and tips

  • Use boneless, skinless chicken.
  • Cut the chicken into similar sized cubes, so they cook evenly.
  • Use a large skillet or a wok.
  • Cook your aromatics on a lower heat, you want to be able to release their flavors without burning them
  • Have all your ingredients prepped before firing up the skillet/wok, things move fast!
  • Finely chop the garlic, instead of mincing it. Minced garlic can burn quickly and become bitter.
  • Use low sodium soy sauce, to control the salt content.
  • Serve with brown rice or jasmine rice.
  • Top with sesame seeds for a satisfying pop of crunch.
overhead shot of thai basil chicken recipe
top view of basil chicken recipe in black skillet

faq’s

what’s the best basil to use for this thai basil chicken recipe?

Holy basil is the kind of Thai basil used in the authentic recipe. It has a more peppery flavor than the normal sweet basil used in Italian cooking Holy basil is available at some Thai groceries.

However, Thai Basil is a more common type of basil that is sold at supermarkets and mostly used in Thai restaurants.  

If you can’t find Thai or Holy Basil, that’s fine! This Thai Basil Chicken recipe is still delicious with ‘normal’ basil. The sauce still has a wonderful flavor and still super fragrant!

what other vegetables can i add to this stir fry?

You can toss in all kinds of veggies, it’s a great way to use up vegetables, just be aware that harder veggies can take longer to cook.

Here’s some ideas:

  • Spinach
  • Asparagus
  • Broccoli Florets
  • Cauliflower Florets
  • Mushrooms

variati0ns for this chicken stir fry

This is such a verstaile recipe, as mentioned above you can throw in different veggies. You can also use ground chicken or shrimps, instead of chicken breasts.

Feel free to dial up the heat with chili paste or omit the red chili and keep it mild. You can also remove the seeds and ribs from the red chili if you want a medium heat.

If you’re looking for more aromatics, you can also add in some ginger for another flavor twist.

skillet with chicken stir fry in it.

other thai inspired recipes

More chicken recipes to try

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top view of basil chicken recipe in black skillet

Thai Basil Chicken

This Thai Basil Chicken recipe serves up the most delicious and easy chicken! Honey, garlic, basil, chicken, and a host of other goodies!
4.96 from 25 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: thai
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 5 -6 servings
Calories: 251kcal
Author: Rena

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lb boneless or skinless chicken breast
  • 1 small bunch fresh basil
  • 2 tbsp olive oil divided
  • 2 bell peppers different colors
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 2-3 green onions thinly sliced, for serving
  • 2 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
  • 2-3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 red chili seeded and sliced
  • 2 tsp sesame seeds

Instructions

  • In a small bowl whisk, oyster sauce, honey, and soy sauce; set aside. Cut the chicken into small dice.
  • Chop the pepper, red chili, and green onion. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet.
  • Add basil leaves in a single layer, and fry undisturbed for 1-2 minutes. Remove from the skillet to a plate lined with a paper towel.
  • Add the remaining tablespoon of oil and heat again. Add peppers, garlic, and red chili, sauté until sizzling. Don't let it turn dark.
  • Immediately add in the chicken cubes and salt; cook until nicely golden brown. Reduce the heat to low, stir in the prepared sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the fried basil. Transfer the chicken to a serving bowl.
  • Garnish with sliced green onion and top with sesame seeds.

Notes

  • Use boneless, skinless chicken.
  • Cut the chicken into similar sized cubes, so they cook evenly.
  • Use a large skillet or a wok.
  • Cook your aromatics on a lower heat, you want to be able to release their flavors without burning them
  • Have all your ingredients prepped before firing up the skillet/wok, things move fast!
  • Finely chop the garlic, instead of mincing it. Minced garlic can burn quickly and become bitter.
  • Use low sodium soy sauce, to control the salt content.
  • Serve with brown rice, quinoa, or jasmine rice. 
  • Top with sesame seeds for a satisfying pop of crunch.

Nutrition

Calories: 251kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 805mg | Potassium: 658mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1690IU | Vitamin C: 77mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brian Cook says

    5 stars
    Oh boy, where to begin. Made it as directed which was incredible then let the creative side of me run wild. Used chicken thighs cut into slices instead of breast chunks, used 3 bunches of Basil (I like Basil) added at the end instead of stir frying first. I chopped dried chili peppers then to offset the heat I added Pineapple chunks. Finally a small handful of cashews to complement.

  2. Rhianna Schwartz says

    5 stars
    We loved it! My husband said it was the best Thai dish I have ever made. My 11 year old son wanted more! I’d say that is a huge hit.

    • Vikky says

      5 stars
      Wow this was great! I was given holy basil by a friend and needed some inspiration. So simple I couldn’t believe the flavour! My picky eater husband devoured it!

      I added a dash of sesame oil and sliced up zucchini as I was trying to clear out the fridge but everything else was as instructed.

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