Craving a restaurant-quality Thai dish that will transport your taste buds to the bustling streets of Bangkok? Look no further! This Thai Basil Chicken recipe is about to revolutionize your home cooking, offering an incredible burst of flavor that's both quick to prepare and absolutely irresistible. In just 25 minutes, you'll create a mouthwatering meal that combines the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and aromatic elements that make Thai cuisine so legendary.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Thai
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- Cooked rice for serving
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by washing and chopping the fresh basil leaves, mincing the garlic cloves, and measuring out the sauces and sugar.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers and becomes hot.
- Add the minced garlic to the hot oil and sauté for 30-45 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning, until the garlic becomes fragrant and lightly golden.
- Add the ground chicken to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon or spatula. Cook the chicken, stirring frequently, until it is completely browned and no pink remains, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Pour in the soy sauce, fish sauce, and sugar. Stir well to combine and allow the sauces to caramelize slightly with the chicken, creating a rich, deep flavor profile.
- Reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to slightly thicken and coat the chicken.
- Remove the skillet from heat and immediately add the fresh basil leaves. Quickly stir to wilt the basil and incorporate its aromatic flavor throughout the dish.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding a bit more soy sauce or fish sauce for saltiness or sugar for balance.
- Serve hot over steamed jasmine or white rice, garnishing with additional fresh basil leaves if desired.
Tips
- Use Fresh Basil: The key to this dish is using fresh Thai basil leaves. If you can't find Thai basil, regular sweet basil will work, but the flavor profile will be slightly different.
- High Heat is Crucial: Ensure your skillet or wok is hot before adding ingredients. This helps achieve that authentic wok-seared flavor and prevents the chicken from becoming soggy.
- Don't Overcook the Basil: Add basil leaves at the very end and remove from heat quickly. This preserves their bright color and fresh, aromatic flavor.
- Customize the Spice: For those who love heat, add some chopped Thai chilies or a dash of chili sauce when cooking the chicken.
- Choose the Right Chicken: Ground chicken works best, but you can also use finely chopped chicken breast if preferred.
- Sauce Balance: The magic is in the sauce ratio. Taste and adjust the soy sauce, fish sauce, and sugar to find your perfect balance of salty, sweet, and umami.
- Serve Immediately: This dish is best enjoyed hot and fresh, served over steaming jasmine rice to soak up all the delicious sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 90mg
