Thai Basil Chicken Bowls (Print Version)

Tender chicken with aromatic basil and savory sauce served over fluffy jasmine rice.

# Components:

→ 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 (optional to adjust heat)
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 as substitute)

→ 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; set aside.
02 - Warm 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
03 - Add minced garlic and sliced chilies to the hot oil; stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add thinly sliced onion and cook for 1 minute until slightly softened.
05 - Add sliced chicken and stir-fry for 4 to 5 minutes until browned and fully cooked.
06 - Introduce sliced red bell pepper; stir-fry for 2 minutes until tender-crisp.
07 - Pour in the prepared sauce mixture, stir thoroughly, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to coat the chicken and allow flavors to meld.
08 - Remove from heat and immediately fold in the holy basil leaves until wilted.
09 - Spoon the cooked mixture over jasmine rice and garnish with lime wedges if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 30 minutes flat, perfect for when you want something restaurant-quality without the wait.
  • The holy basil adds this peppery, almost licorice-like warmth that makes people stop mid-bite and ask what you did differently.
  • Chicken thighs stay juicy instead of drying out, and the sauce clings to every piece like it was meant to be there.
02 -
  • Holy basil wilts down to almost nothing, so that packed cup shrinks into a handful—don't panic and add more thinking something went wrong.
  • Leaving the heat on while stirring in the basil will make it bitter and turn muddy; that split second of temperature drop makes all the difference.
03 -
  • Slice your chicken thinly while it's slightly cold—it's easier to cut and cooks faster and more evenly.
  • Have everything prepped and lined up before you heat the pan; once it's hot, you're moving fast and there's no time to chop.
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