Thai Basil Chicken Bowls (Printer-friendly)

Tender chicken and aromatic holy basil combine over fluffy jasmine rice for a vibrant dish.

# 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 to 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)

# Directions:

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. Add minced garlic and sliced Thai chilies; stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add thinly sliced onion to the skillet; cook for 1 minute until slightly softened.
04 - Add the sliced chicken; stir-fry for 4 to 5 minutes until browned and cooked through.
05 - Incorporate the sliced red bell pepper; stir-fry for an additional 2 minutes until just tender.
06 - Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet; stir thoroughly, allowing it to bubble and coat the chicken evenly for 1 to 2 minutes.
07 - Remove skillet from heat and immediately stir in fresh holy basil leaves until wilted.
08 - Plate the mixture over warm jasmine rice. Garnish with lime wedges if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's faster than calling for delivery but tastes like you've been cooking all day.
  • Holy basil transforms from supporting player to the whole reason you crave this bowl again and again.
  • The sauce clings to everything perfectly without being heavy or requiring any fancy technique.
02 -
  • Don't add the holy basil while the pan is still on heat or it'll turn dark and lose its distinctive peppery punch that makes this dish special.
  • Fish sauce is intense on its own but becomes invisible and essential once everything cooks together; trust the smell test on your finished bowl, not your nose over the raw bottle.
03 -
  • Slice your chicken as thin as you reasonably can before cooking; thinner pieces mean faster cooking and a more tender, evenly-cooked result.
  • Keep your jasmine rice warm and freshly cooked because cold rice changes the entire eating experience and temperature contrast of the dish.
Return