Ingredients
1 lb ground chicken
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
3-4 Thai bird’s eye chilies, chopped (adjust to taste)
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup chicken broth or water
1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves (holy basil preferred)
Jasmine rice, for serving
Fried eggs (optional, for serving)
Execution
Prepare the Ingredients:
Begin by prepping your garlic and chilies. If you prefer a less spicy dish, reduce the number of chilies or remove the seeds.
Cook the Aromatics:
Heat vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and chilies, sautéing for about 30 seconds until fragrant, but be careful not to burn the garlic.
Cook the Chicken:
Add the ground chicken to the pan, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until the chicken is no longer pink and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes.
Make the Sauce:
In a small bowl, mix the oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, and sugar. Pour this sauce over the chicken and stir to combine. Add the chicken broth or water and let it simmer for a couple of minutes to absorb the flavors.
Add the Basil:
Once the chicken is cooked and the sauce has thickened slightly, stir in the fresh Thai basil leaves. Cook just until the basil wilts, about 1-2 minutes.
Serve:
Serve the Thai Basil Chicken over hot jasmine rice. For an authentic touch, top each serving with a fried egg, sunny-side up, letting the runny yolk mix with the sauce for extra richness.
Additional tips
- Use Holy Basil: If you can find it, holy basil (also known as Thai holy basil) provides the most authentic flavor, adding a peppery, slightly anise-like taste.
- Adjust the Heat: If you love spice, feel free to add more chilies, or for a milder version, reduce the amount or use milder chili varieties.
- Protein Alternatives: While ground chicken is traditional, you can also use sliced chicken breast, pork, or even tofu for a vegetarian version (substitute soy sauce for fish sauce).
- Add Vegetables: For extra nutrition, add sliced bell peppers, green beans, or baby corn to the stir-fry.
