Thai Ground Chicken Basil is a quick and flavorful stir-fry featuring lean ground chicken, fresh basil, garlic, fiery Thai chiles, and traditional savory sauces.
Cooked over high heat, the ingredients come together in just 20 minutes, making this dish a practical choice for busy weeknights.
The combination of fish sauce and black soy sauce gives the chicken a rich, savory flavor, while fresh basil adds a fragrant finish.
Serve it over steamed jasmine rice to make a satisfying meal with plenty of protein and a pleasant balance of spicy and aromatic flavors.
Recipe Overview
- Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 5 minutes
- Total time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Cooking method: High-heat stir-frying
- Serving suggestion: Steamed white or jasmine rice
Ingredients for Thai Ground Chicken Basil
Using fresh aromatics and a few essential sauces helps create the distinctive flavor of this simple Thai-inspired dish.
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken breast: Lean ground chicken provides the protein and absorbs the flavors of the seasonings.
- ¼ cup minced garlic: Fresh garlic creates a savory foundation for the stir-fry.
- 12 Thai chiles, thinly sliced: These small peppers deliver the dish’s characteristic heat. Adjust the quantity according to your spice preference.
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil: Suitable for high-temperature cooking, peanut oil helps brown the garlic and chicken.
Sauces and Herbs
- 2 teaspoons black soy sauce: Adds deep color and a subtle sweetness to the chicken.
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce: Provides the salty, savory depth associated with Thai cooking.
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves: Adds a fragrant herbal flavor and finishes the stir-fry.
- Steamed white or jasmine rice: Serve alongside the chicken to soak up its flavorful juices.
How to Make Thai Ground Chicken Basil
This recipe comes together quickly, so prepare and measure all the ingredients before heating the wok. Once cooking begins, keep the ingredients moving to prevent burning and ensure even browning.
Step 1: Heat the Wok and Fry the Garlic
Place a wok over high heat and allow it to become very hot. Add the peanut oil, followed immediately by the minced garlic. Stir continuously for approximately 20 seconds, allowing the garlic to become golden and fragrant.
Watch the garlic closely because it can burn quickly at high temperatures. Once it turns lightly golden, move directly to the next step.
Step 2: Cook the Ground Chicken
Add the ground chicken to the wok with the garlic. Use a spatula to break the meat into small crumbles, stirring frequently so that it cooks evenly.
Continue stir-frying for about 2 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink. Avoid overcrowding the wok, as excess moisture can prevent the meat from browning properly.
Step 3: Add the Chiles and Seasonings
Stir the sliced Thai chiles into the chicken. Pour in the black soy sauce and fish sauce, mixing thoroughly to coat the meat with the seasonings.
Continue cooking for approximately 15 seconds, stirring constantly. This short cooking time allows the chiles to soften slightly while the sauces distribute throughout the chicken.
Step 4: Finish with Fresh Basil
Remove the wok from the heat before adding the basil leaves. Stir gently until the leaves wilt from the residual heat and become evenly distributed throughout the chicken.
Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Transfer the finished stir-fry to serving plates and enjoy immediately with warm steamed rice.
Cooking Tips and Variations
Adjust the Spice Level
Thai chiles can be extremely hot, so the original quantity produces a particularly spicy dish. For a milder version, reduce the number of chiles to six or use fewer according to your preference.
Serrano peppers can also be used as an alternative, although their flavor and heat may differ.
For additional heat, add a little cayenne pepper while cooking the chicken. If you want to balance the spice with a richer flavor, a small spoonful of unsweetened peanut butter can be stirred into the finished mixture.
Customize the Sauce
The combination of fish sauce and black soy sauce gives the dish its distinctive salty, savory flavor. If you prefer a stronger sauce, increase the quantities gradually and taste as you go.
Keep in mind that fish sauce is already quite salty, so adding too much can overwhelm the other ingredients.
Worcestershire sauce may be used as an alternative to fish sauce, but it will change the traditional flavor. Sesame oil can also replace peanut oil, although it has a different aroma and may be less suitable for very high-heat frying.
Add Extra Vegetables
For more texture and variety, include fresh snow peas. Add them after browning the chicken and cook briefly until they are crisp-tender.
Other vegetables, such as thinly sliced bell peppers, can also be added, although additional vegetables may increase the cooking time.
Prepare Everything Before Cooking
Stir-frying takes only a few minutes, so have the chicken, garlic, chiles, sauces, and basil ready before turning on the stove. Measure the sauces in advance and keep the basil separate until the final step.
This preparation helps prevent the garlic from burning while you search for the remaining ingredients.
Nutrition Facts
The following estimated nutritional values are for one serving of the chicken stir-fry, based on a yield of four servings. Rice is not included in these figures.
| Nutrient | Amount per serving | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 273 | — |
| Total Fat | 11g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 11% |
| Cholesterol | 69mg | 23% |
| Sodium | 769mg | 33% |
| Total Carbohydrates | 17g | 6% |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g | 9% |
| Total Sugars | 7g | — |
| Protein | 29g | 59% |
| Vitamin C | 332mg | 369% |
| Calcium | 74mg | 6% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 754mg | 16% |
Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Actual nutritional values may vary depending on the ingredients and brands used.
Serving and Storage Suggestions
Serve the chicken immediately after cooking while the basil is still fragrant and the meat is hot. A bowl of freshly steamed jasmine rice makes a simple accompaniment, providing a mild base that complements the spicy, savory chicken.
If you have leftovers, allow the chicken to cool before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate promptly and consume within 3–4 days. Reheat thoroughly in a skillet over medium heat, adding a small splash of water if the mixture seems dry.
For the freshest flavor and texture, add extra basil just before serving rather than reheating the original leaves for an extended period.
This Thai Ground Chicken Basil recipe is easy to adapt to different spice preferences and vegetable combinations while keeping its quick preparation and cooking method intact.
