Thai Basil Chicken Bowls (Printable)

Tender chicken and holy basil meld with a savory sauce over jasmine rice for a vibrant Thai-inspired meal.

# What 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 - 2–3 Thai chilies, finely sliced (adjust to taste)
09 - 1 small onion, thinly sliced

→ Vegetables & Herbs

10 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
11 - 1 cup packed fresh holy basil leaves (or Thai basil if unavailable)

→ To Serve

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

# How-To Steps:

01 - Combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, and water in a small bowl; mix well and set aside.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
03 - Add minced garlic and sliced Thai chilies; stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add sliced onion and cook for 1 minute until slightly softened.
05 - Add thinly sliced chicken and stir-fry for 4 to 5 minutes until browned and cooked through.
06 - Stir in red bell pepper and cook for 2 minutes until just tender.
07 - Pour sauce mixture over ingredients and stir well, allowing it to bubble and coat the chicken for 1 to 2 minutes.
08 - Remove from heat and immediately fold in holy basil leaves until wilted.
09 - Serve hot over jasmine rice, garnished with lime wedges if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in less time than it takes to order delivery, yet tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
  • The holy basil transforms from green leaf to something almost smoky and complex, making every bite feel intentional.
  • You can adjust the heat to match your mood, your guests, or whatever mood the Thursday night calls for.
02 -
  • Holy basil must go in right at the end—if you cook it with everything else, it loses its distinctive peppery bite and just becomes a wilted herb.
  • Don't crowd the pan when you add the chicken; if pieces are stacked on top of each other, they'll steam instead of developing those golden, flavorful edges.
03 -
  • If holy basil is impossible to find, Thai basil is your next best option and will give you 90 percent of the magic—regular Italian basil is a distant third.
  • Slice your chicken slightly thinner than you think necessary; it cooks faster and absorbs the sauce more efficiently.
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