Thai Basil Chicken Stir-Fry with Garlic and Chilli

Thai Basil Chicken Stir-Fry with Garlic and Chilli

This Thai basil chicken is a fast stir-fry built around tender chicken breast, garlic, chilli, fish sauce, and fragrant basil. A little soy sauce and oyster sauce round out the savoury flavour, while lime juice keeps the finished dish bright rather than heavy.

It is intentionally a simple stir-fry rather than a full rice-bowl plate with a crispy egg. For that more substantial version, see our High-Protein Thai Basil Chicken.

What Makes the Sauce Work

Fish sauce supplies the characteristic Thai savoury depth, while soy sauce adds salt and colour. Oyster sauce contributes body and a mild sweetness, and brown sugar smooths the salty edges. Lime juice is added after cooking so its acidity stays fresh. Thai basil goes in at the very end: prolonged cooking dulls its aroma and darkens the leaves.

How to Stir-Fry Chicken Breast Successfully

Slice the chicken across the grain into even pieces and have every ingredient ready before heating the pan. A hot pan helps the chicken brown before it releases too much moisture. If the pieces sit crowded together, cook them in batches; steaming is the main reason chicken breast turns pale and watery.

Keep the sauce cooking time short. Once it coats the chicken, turn off the heat and fold in the lime and basil. This protects the chicken from overcooking while keeping the sauce glossy.

Serving and Storage

Serve with jasmine rice, cauliflower rice, or steamed greens. Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a covered pan with a splash of water so the chicken does not dry out.

Easy Variations

• Use ground chicken for a mince-based pad kra pao-style version.
• Replace the chilli with bird's eye chilli for more heat or jalapeno for less.
• Add green beans, baby corn, or sliced peppers after the chicken has browned.
• Use regular basil if Thai basil is unavailable, and add it only after the heat is off.
• Omit the peanuts for a nut-free version.

Nutrition Estimate

Each serving contains approximately 300 calories, 42 g protein, and 9 g fat, excluding rice and optional peanuts. Sodium is estimated at 1,250 mg and varies with the fish sauce, soy sauce, and oyster sauce brands used.