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Spicy Thai Basil Chicken is one of those meals that quickly becomes a family favorite. It’s easy and full of amazing flavor and one of our favorite Thai recipes!
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
There is nothing like a little kick to get those tastebuds going! This spicy thai basil chicken is spicy but not too spicy. I’m not a big fan of spicy. You can totally control the heat level with the amount of Thai chilies you use. I was able to find the Thai chilies in my local Safeway but if you can’t find them you can substitute in serrano or even jalapeno. Remember, the smaller the size of the pepper, the hotter it is and the Thai chilies are small!
Ingredients Needed
Don’t let the list of ingredients scare you off. This recipe is worth the effort!
- Chicken broth
- Oyster sauce. Found in the Asian aisle
- Soy sauce. You can use regular soy sauce, light soy sauce or dark soy sauce.
- Fish sauce. Found in the Asian aisle
- Sugar. You will need granulated sugar and brown sugar.
- Ginger. You can use fresh, minced ginger or dry ginger. If using dry, use half the amount.
- Oil. I use canola or vegetable oil but you could also use avocado or any mild flavored oil.
- Chicken. My favorite is boneless, skinless chicken thighs but you can also use chicken breast. You could also substitute ground beef.
- Onion. White or yellow.
- Garlic. Use fresh cloves garlic.
- Chilies. Use Thai chilies or if you can’t find those, use a serrano chili or a jalapeno pepper.
- Red bell pepper.
- Thai holy basil leaves. You can substitute sweet basil but it does have a different flavor.
- Nuts. I always use cashews but you could substitute peanuts.
How to Make Spicy Thai Basil Chicken
- Dice or cut up chicken into small pieces. I love the texture the small pieces gives this dish.
- Mix together chicken broth, oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, brown sugar and ginger.
- In a large skillet, heat oil. Add in chicken and cook until it is no longer pink.
- Add in onions, garlic, red bell pepper and chilies. Cook until juices start to caramelize.
- Pour in sauce and cook until sauce thickens and caramelizes.
- Add in basil. Cook until basil is wilted, about 30 seconds. Stir in cashews
Serve this with:
- Rice. Use white rice or brown rice.
- Additional chopped fresh basil leaves.
- Chopped peanuts or cashews
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add in other veggies?
It would be delicious with green beans or snow peas. Stir-fry the veggies with the red peppers.
Can I make this gluten-free?
To make gluten free, replace the soy sauce with tamari sauce.
Try these other yummy recipes too!
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Spicy Thai Basil Chicken
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup chicken broth
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp fish sauce
- 2 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp ginger
- 2 Tbsp canola oil
- 1 lb skinless, boneless, chicken thighs coarsely chopped
- 1/4 cup onion chopped
- 4 tsp garlic minced
- 1-2 Tbsp Thai chilies or serrano minced
- 1 red pepper diced
- 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil leaves thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup cashews chopped
Instructions
- Mix together chicken broth, oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, brown sugar and ginger.
- In a large pan, heat oil. Add in chicken and cook until it is no longer pink. Add in onions, garlic, red pepper and chilies. Cook until juices start to caramelize.
- Add in sauce and cook until sauce thickens and caramelizes.
- Add in basil. Cook until basil is wilted, about 30 seconds. Stir in cashews
- Serve over rice, garnish with additional basil if desired
laura says
Have you tried this in the crock pot? i was thinking about doing bone in chicken thighs seared, and then dumping it all in the crock pot. Think it would work?
Leigh Anne says
I have not tried it in the crock pot – let me know how it works for you!
Laura says
I didn’t end up making this in the crock pot, but made as instructed and DANG! This was great. My husband is an excellent cook and tough critic and he loved this. Going to look for more of your recipes now, thanks!
Grace says
Your directions don’t indicate when to add in the diced red peppers?
Leigh Anne says
Grace, Thanks for the heads up on that – I fixed the recipe. Add it in with the onions
Rose Shupe says
Are there nutritional values anywhere? I can’t find them. Thank you, Rose
Leigh Anne says
Just updated that info in the recipe for you. Enjoy!
Stephenie Davenport says
Great recipe. I used ground chicken for mine and it blends all of the flavors together well. I see it says 4 servings but what is each serving size?
Danielle says
This was absolutely fantastic. So tasty! Thank you for this recipe.
Ginger says
Leigh Anne, I made Thai chicken basil for dinner tonight, and we all enjoyed it! My son, said it is in his top 5 favorite meals! Thanks for such delicious recipes. My 2nd son’s favorite is your coconut curry soup! 🙂
Also your cranberry salsa, is now a holiday staple favorite! Everyone always asks for the recipe when I take it to a party!
Leigh Anne says
Ginger, Thank you so much for letting me know! I love hearing when people try my recipes and enjoy them as much as I do!!