Thai Basil Chicken is arguably the gold standard of Thai Chicken stir fries! An incredibly fast and easy Thai recipe that truly tastes just as good as you’ll get at your favourite restaurant. BONUS: No hunting down unusual ingredients!
If you’re feeling inspired, indulge in a Thai banquet at home with Chicken Satay Skewers, Thai Fish Cakes, Thai Green Curry or Red Curry, and Thai Fried Rice!
Thai Basil Chicken
Wowser. I LOVE Thai Basil Chicken. Just looking at these photos and writing up this post has me peeved that I’ll shortly be reheating leftovers instead of firing up the wok. (That’s a nice insight into the immaturity that is me.)
This is a recipe I got from the mother of a friend way back when I was in uni. Obviously, a Thai friend!
And it’s one of the few recipes that I haven’t tinkered with at all. I usually can’t help it – even recipes from well respected chefs. But this one – it’s perfect as it is. It is truly just like what you get at (good) Thai restaurants and on the streets of Thailand!
What you need for Thai Basil Chicken
Here’s what you need for Thai Basil Chicken. The really nice thing about this Thai recipe is that you can get everything you need from the grocery store – at least, you can here in Australia!
Best substitute for Thai Basil
The best substitute for Thai Basil is normal basil. While it lacks the slight aniseed flavour that’s distinctly associated with this Thai dish, it is still very much worth making!
Thai Basil
Thai Basil is a key ingredient in this recipe, being the namesake and all. ?
Thai Basil tastes like normal basil with a hint of aniseed flavour. Nowadays it’s fairly widely available in Australia in large grocery stores and green grocers (Coles, Woolies, Harris Farms).
In actual fact, the authentic version of Thai Basil Chicken is Thai Holy Basil which is different to Thai Basil. It’s actually quite hard to find even in Thai stores, so much so that most Thai restaurants just use ordinary Thai Basil and it’s the flavour that most people have become accustomed to.
Here’s a photo showing the difference between holy basil and Thai Basil.
In the video and photos, I’ve used Thai Holy Basil. (Sydney-siders, I found it in the dark depths of a Thai grocery store in the city, I had to ask for it and the store owner got it from the back!)
Thai Basil Chicken is often overly saucy when you get it from mid-standard restaurants outside of Thailand.
This recipe sticks more to the traditional way of cooking it with enough sauce to coat the stir fry and to soak the rice a bit (enough!). But not so much sauce that when you dish it up, it’s sitting in a pool of sauce which frankly is too salty and unnecessary because the flavours of this dish are so strong, you don’t need all that sauce.
If you want to add a fresh side, try this Asian Slaw – it’s a great all rounder that goes with all Asian foods. Or for a simpler option, just add a side of plain chunks of tomato and cucumber which is a common side that’s added to plates in Thailand.
As with all stir fries, this Thai recipe moves super fast once you start cooking – about 5 minutes. So if you can get the chopping done in 10 minutes, you’ll have dinner on the table in 15 minutes.
Hey! That’s faster than ordering home delivery! – Nagi xx
Watch how to make it
More Thai takeout favourites
- Pad Thai – truly just like takeout!
- Thai Red Curry and Green Curry
- Massaman Curry
- Starters – Chicken Satay and Thai Fish Cakes
- Thai Fried Rice
- Pad See Ew – Thai stir fried noodles
- Browse the Thai recipe collection
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Thai Chilli Basil Chicken
Ingredients
- 225g / 7oz chicken thigh fillets , skinless boneless, cut into bite size pieces
- 1 green onion , cut into 4cm / 2" lengths.
- 1 cup Thai basil leaves , loosely packed (Holy Basil if you can find it) (Note 1)
- 2 garlic cloves , large, finely chopped (Note 2)
- 1 birds eye or Thai chilli , deseeded and finely chopped
- 1 1/2 tbsp oil (peanut, vegetable or canola)
Sauce
- 2 tsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp light soy sauce (Note 3)
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce (or all purpose) (Note 3)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
- Put Sauce ingredients in a small bowl and mix to combine.
- Heat oil in wok or pan over high heat.
- Add garlic and chilli and cook for 10 seconds. Don't inhale - the chilli will make you cough!
- Add the white part of the green onions and chicken and fry until cooked, around 2 minutes.
- Add Sauce and cook for 1 minute until the water reduces to make a thick glossy sauce.
- Toss through green part of green onions and basil leaves. Stir until just wilted, then serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Originally published in July 2014, updated with fresh new (better!) photos, new words, a brand new recipe video and of course I added a Life of Dozer section!
Life of Dozer
Story of his life. And mine, for that matter.
Hi Nagi, would it be ok to double the recipe?
Yes 100%!
This was delicious! I also used regular basil and it still tasted amazing. This will be a regular go-to recipe for me.
I’m so glad you loved it Anna!! N x
Hey Nagi! I really wanna try this and because I don’t have chillis at home, would chilli paste (like Sambal Belachan) work? I can’t just get one chilli and wouldn’t know what to do with the rest if I were to buy a bunch! Thank you!
Hi Sally – yes that would be a fine substitute – 1 tsp should do the trick – N x
This was really interesting to read! I love the range of posts, there is really something for everyone, great post!
I made this and it was great! I used regular basil and it still was very tasty. The only complaint I have about this recipe is that its too delicious and we ate too much!!!
😂 Love this Tammy!!
Loved it. Now I’m wondering if you have an authentic recipe for Thai Basil Eggplant.
Sounds great Madeline – pop a request on my recipe request page 🙂
Thank god I read the finer detail, no way is this enough for 2 peeps, I would have been shattered if I haven’t as this was yo die for!!! Incredible flavour and couldn’t get enough, thank you again!
I’m so glad you loved it Maryanna!!!
Better than our local restaurant! I added some fish sauce and Sambal as I didn’t have chili’s. It was delicious!!
Perfect Judy,I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I just realized I bought oyster flavored sauce instead of oyster sauce. Do you think I can use oyster flavored sauce instead?
Hi Jessica – that should be fine! N x
Super easy and super nice. The moment my hubby saw the dish, he was like wow looks good. After having it with his rice, he says yummy yummy and chicken very tender! The sauce is OMG! Thank you Nagi for another yummy receipe 🙂
That’s awesome Kathryn, sounds like you nailed it! N x
So beautiful, thank you! RC
You’re so welcome!
Amazing! Easy ingredients, easy method, and absolutely delicious! Thanks again Nagi 😊
You’re SO welcome!! N x
this was great used thai basil not holy basil.
Perfect! Either work great in this recipe!
Thai chilli basil chicken is delicious. So quick and easy to do,full of flavour with a nice kick to it.
Cheers Nagi
I’m so happy you loved it Teresa!