Name: Spicy Thai Basil Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 225g 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 available); 2 garlic cloves, large, finely chopped; 1 birds eye or Thai chilli, deseeded and finely chopped; 1 1/2 tbsp oil (peanut, vegetable or canola); 2 tsp oyster sauce; 1 tsp light soy sauce; 1 tsp dark soy sauce (or all purpose soy sauce); 1 tsp sugar; 2 tbsp water; Steamed jasmine rice

There’s something about the fiery punch mixed with fresh, aromatic basil that just makes this dish stand out. The Spicy Thai Basil Chicken Recipe is a perfect blend of heat, savoriness, and fragrant herbs, bringing a little taste of Bangkok right to your kitchen table.

The image shows a close-up of a dark pan filled with cooked brown chicken pieces coated in a shiny sauce. There are green leafy herbs mixed throughout the chicken, adding contrast with their darker green color. Small red chili bits are scattered over the chicken, giving a hint of spiciness. A wooden spatula is lifting some pieces from the pan, which has a slightly oily, textured surface. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Spicy Thai Basil Chicken Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Spicy Thai Basil Chicken Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Spicy Thai Basil Chicken Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t say enough about how this Spicy Thai Basil Chicken Recipe hits the spot when you want a fast, flavorful meal that doesn’t skimp on personality. It’s incredibly easy but tastes like you spent hours perfecting it.

Quick & Fresh: Ready in under 15 minutes, it’s ideal for busy nights without compromising flavor.
Balance of Flavors: The heat from the bird’s eye chili paired with the sweet-savory sauce and fresh basil creates a perfect harmony.
Very Versatile: You can easily adjust the spice level or swap out ingredients depending on what you have on hand.
Comfort Food with a Kick: It’s homey and satisfying, but with that special Thai edge that makes it so addictive.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Spicy Thai Basil Chicken Recipe plays its part in layering bold, fresh, and balanced flavors. Knowing a little about why each is included can help you feel confident when you’re shopping or even improvising.

Flat lay of fresh raw chicken thigh fillets cut into bite-sized pieces, a single whole green onion with white and green sections intact, a small bunch of vibrant Thai basil leaves, two large whole garlic cloves with smooth white skins, one bright red birds eye chili pepper, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden cooking oil, a small white bowl containing a dark glossy oyster sauce mixture, a small white bowl with light soy sauce, a small white bowl with dark soy sauce, a small white bowl of granulated white sugar, a small white bowl of clear water, and a neat mound of fluffy steamed jasmine rice on a simple white ceramic plate, all arranged in perfect symmetry, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken thigh fillets: Juicy and tender, thighs stay moist with quick cooking and soak up flavors beautifully.
Green onion: The white parts add a gentle sharpness during cooking, while the green tops provide fresh color at the end.
Thai basil leaves: Holy Basil is traditional and packs a peppery-aniseed punch; Thai basil is more common and sweet, both work wonderfully.
Garlic: Finely chopped to avoid burning, it adds savory depth that's essential to Thai dishes.
Birds eye or Thai chilli: Adds authentic heat – deseeding keeps it fiery but manageable.
Oil (peanut, vegetable, or canola): Neutral flavor oils work best for stir-frying without overpowering the dish.
Oyster sauce: Provides a rich umami boost that's slightly sweet and salty.
Light soy sauce: Adds salty notes and helps balance the sauce’s flavor.
Dark soy sauce: Contributes a deeper color and subtle sweetness.
Sugar: Balances the salty and spicy elements for a well-rounded sauce.
Water: Helps loosen the sauce to coat the chicken perfectly without being too thick.
Steamed jasmine rice: Classic pairing that soaks up all those spicy, fragrant flavors.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love about the Spicy Thai Basil Chicken Recipe is how flexible it is. Feel free to tweak the heat or swap out proteins depending on what you’re in the mood for. It’s your kitchen, your rules!

Variation: I sometimes use ground chicken instead of thigh pieces to speed up cooking and give it a slightly different texture—still delicious!
Dietary swap: For a keto-friendly version, simply skip the rice and serve over steamed vegetables or cauliflower rice.
Spice level: If you’re sensitive to heat, reduce the bird’s eye chili or omit the seeds altogether. You can always add more later!
Herb swap: No Thai basil? No worries—sweet basil works nicely as a fragrant substitute.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Spicy Thai Basil Chicken Recipe

A white bowl filled with two layers, the bottom layer is white steamed rice with separate grains, topped with a thick layer of stir-fried chicken pieces in a dark brown glossy sauce mixed with green onion stalks and dark green basil leaves, with red chili pieces scattered on top. A metal spoon rests inside the bowl, partially submerged in the chicken mixture. The bowl sits on a light beige cloth on a white marbled surface, with two whole red chili peppers and a green leaf nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prepare Your Sauce Blend

This is the magic that brings everything together. Mix oyster sauce, light soy, dark soy, sugar, and water in a small bowl until combined. Having the sauce made ahead means you can focus on quick stir-frying and get that perfect glossy finish.

Step 2: Sizzle Aromatics in Hot Oil

Heat your oil in a wok or large pan over high heat. Add garlic and chopped chili and stir-fry for about 10 seconds – just enough to release the flavors, but be careful not to breathe in the spice too deeply, or you’ll get a cough fit—learned that the hard way!

Step 3: Add Chicken and Onion

Toss in the white part of your green onions and the chicken pieces. Keep everything moving so the chicken cooks evenly and stays juicy—about 2 minutes until fully cooked through.

Step 4: Pour Sauce and Reduce

Pour your sauce mixture over the chicken and stir well. Let it cook for about a minute until the sauce thickens into a glossy coating that clings to every bite. This is key to that restaurant-quality shine and flavor.

Step 5: Toss in Fresh Herbs and Serve

Stir in the green parts of the green onion and the basil leaves until just wilted. Don’t overcook the basil—it should stay vibrant and fragrant. Then serve immediately with steaming jasmine rice to soak up that delicious sauce.

Top Tip

From my many attempts making this Spicy Thai Basil Chicken Recipe, these tips really make a difference between a good dish and a great one. They’ll help you avoid common pitfalls and get that authentic flavor every time.

Use fresh basil at the end: Add the basil just before serving so it stays bright and fragrant, rather than turning dull and slimy.
Chop garlic finely, don’t mince: This reduces the chance of it burning and keeps the flavor mellow and nutty.
Cook over high heat: Fast cooking locks in juices and gives that satisfying sear, which adds a lovely aroma.
Adjust chili thoughtfully: Better to start with less heat and add more later if needed—you can always spice it up, but can’t take it back!

How to Serve Spicy Thai Basil Chicken Recipe

Garnishes

I like to keep garnishes simple and authentic—fresh slices of cucumber and tomato bring a cooling crunch alongside the spicy chicken. A wedge of lime on the side is always a winner too, letting you add a zesty brightness to each bite.

Side Dishes

Jasmine rice is my go-to because it absorbs that glossy sauce beautifully, but you can also serve it with steamed greens or a crunchy Thai-style salad to lighten things up.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special gathering, I’ve served this spicy Thai basil chicken in lettuce cups with extra herbs and crushed peanuts for texture. It’s a fun way to eat and always impresses guests!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I pop leftover chicken into an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days. It reheats well, but the fresh basil flavor mellows with time, so add fresh basil if you can on reheating.

Freezing

Freezing is possible, but the basil doesn’t hold up well in the freezer. I recommend freezing the chicken and sauce separately from the basil and fresh onion, and adding those fresh when you reheat.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a pan over medium heat to avoid drying out the chicken. Sprinkle with fresh basil leaves and green onion before serving to revive that fresh herbal aroma.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken breast instead of thigh?

Yes, you can use chicken breast, but thighs stay juicier and more flavorful when stir-fried quickly. If you use breast, watch it closely to avoid drying out.

What type of basil is best for this recipe?

Holy Basil is the traditional choice with a peppery, aniseed flavor. Thai Basil is more common in supermarkets and works well too. If neither is available, plain sweet basil still adds a lovely aroma.

How spicy is this dish?

The heat level depends on the amount and type of chili you use. Birds eye chilis pack some serious punch, so deseeding helps tame the spice. You can adjust this easily to suit your taste.

Can I prepare parts of this recipe ahead?

You can chop your garlic, chili, and slice the green onions ahead of time. The sauce can also be mixed a day in advance. But I recommend adding fresh basil last minute for the best flavor.

Final Thoughts

Making this Spicy Thai Basil Chicken Recipe has become one of my favorite quick weeknight routines. It reminds me of bustling street food stalls but is approachable enough to whip up any time. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do—give it a try and make it your own kitchen favorite!