Description
Savor bold Thai flavors with Spicy Thai Basil Chicken, a zesty street-food classic that dances between heat and herbal complexity. Sizzling wok-tossed chicken mingles with aromatic basil, creating a quick, irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 pounds (32 ounces) ground chicken
Sauces and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Aromatics and Herbs:
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil (such as grapeseed oil)
- 8 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
- 3 large scallions, thinly sliced
- 2 medium shallots, peeled and finely chopped
- 3 birds eye chiles (Thai chiles), thinly sliced
- 20–30 fresh Thai holy basil leaves
Serving Accompaniments:
- Cooked jasmine rice (about ¾ cup cooked rice per person)
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced
- 1 large fried egg per person (optional)
- Additional fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare a skillet or wok, heating it to medium temperature with neutral oil. Introduce finely chopped scallions, minced garlic, sliced Thai chiles, and diced shallots, sautéing them gently until their aromatic essence emerges, approximately 1-2 minutes. Exercise caution to prevent burning the delicate ingredients.
- Incorporate ground chicken into the fragrant mixture, methodically breaking down the meat with a spatula. Continue cooking until the protein transforms from pink to a uniform, nearly complete state, around 3-5 minutes.
- Enrich the simmering chicken with a harmonious blend of soy sauces, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and brown sugar. Vigorously stir the liquid components to ensure complete sugar dissolution and thorough chicken coating.
- Cascade fresh basil leaves into the skillet, gently folding them into the seasoned chicken. Allow the leaves to wilt and release their intense herbal notes, typically requiring 1-2 minutes of additional cooking.
- Transfer the aromatic Thai basil chicken atop fluffy jasmine rice. Crown each portion with a perfectly prepared fried egg, positioning it to allow a luxurious runny yolk. Garnish with additional fresh basil and delicate scallion slivers for a vibrant presentation.
- Serve the dish immediately, ensuring maximum flavor intensity and optimal temperature for an authentic Thai culinary experience.
Notes
- Always use a high-heat cooking method like wok or cast-iron skillet to achieve the signature caramelized flavor characteristic of authentic Thai street food.
- Freshly picked Thai basil leaves are crucial; substitute with regular basil only if absolutely necessary, as the flavor profile will change dramatically.
- Control the spice level by adjusting the number of Thai chiles or using milder peppers like serrano for those with lower heat tolerance.
- For
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 525
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg