Thai Basil Chicken Bowls (Printable Version)

Tender chicken stir-fried with spicy holy basil and vegetables over jasmine rice.

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, thinly sliced

→ Sauce

02 - 3 tbsp soy sauce
03 - 2 tbsp oyster sauce
04 - 1 tbsp fish sauce
05 - 1 tbsp brown sugar
06 - 2 tbsp water

→ Aromatics

07 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 2 to 3 Thai chilies, finely sliced
09 - 1 small onion, thinly sliced

→ Vegetables & Herbs

10 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
11 - 1 cup packed fresh holy basil leaves

→ To Serve

12 - 4 cups cooked jasmine rice
13 - Lime wedges (optional)

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, and water in a small bowl; set aside.
02 - Warm 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat; add garlic and chilies, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add sliced onion and cook for 1 minute until slightly softened.
04 - Add thinly sliced chicken and stir-fry for 4 to 5 minutes until browned and cooked through.
05 - Add red bell pepper slices and stir-fry for 2 minutes until tender-crisp.
06 - Pour sauce mixture into the skillet, stirring to coat chicken and vegetables thoroughly; cook 1 to 2 minutes until bubbling.
07 - Remove skillet from heat and immediately stir in holy basil leaves until wilted.
08 - Ladle mixture over jasmine rice and garnish with lime wedges if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It comes together faster than takeout, but tastes like you've been cooking all day.
  • Holy basil gives you that elusive Thai restaurant flavor that feels impossible to nail at home—until now.
  • The sauce clings to every piece of chicken without being heavy, and the rice soaks it up like it's meant to.
02 -
  • Don't cook the basil—add it after you take the pan off the heat, or it'll turn dark and bitter and you'll wonder where the magic went.
  • Holy basil is completely different from Italian basil; if you can't find it, Thai basil is your next best option, but don't substitute Italian basil unless you're okay with a different flavor entirely.
03 -
  • Slice your chicken thin and cook it hot and fast; overcooked chicken that's been cut thin is less noticeable than thick chunks that turn rubbery.
  • If you can't find holy basil, Thai basil from an Asian market is your closest alternative—regular basil will taste noticeably different and less authentic.
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