A Burst of Flavor in Just 30 Minutes: Simple, Delicious, and Perfect for Busy Families.
This recipe is a quick 30-minute Thai Basil Chicken meal. You need chicken, basil, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and lime juice.
Why We Love This Easy Thai Basil Chicken
This recipe is one of those rare gems that checks all the boxes: it’s quick, uses simple ingredients, and delivers bold, authentic flavours. In our household, it’s a staple.
The kids love it because of its tangy kick from the lime juice (they always squeeze extra on top), and we love it because it’s a wholesome meal that doesn’t take all evening to prepare. It’s perfect over a bowl of warm jasmine rice, and any leftovers make fantastic lunchbox additions for the next day. Honestly, it’s the recipe that keeps on giving.
Why You Should Try It
If you’re new to Thai-inspired cooking, this dish is the perfect introduction. It’s simple enough for beginners and requires no fancy equipment—just a skillet or wok.
The flavours are bold yet approachable, with a balance of sweet, salty, tangy, and aromatic notes that’ll make you feel like a pro chef. Plus, it’s versatile: you can easily add in some veggies like bell peppers or green beans if you’re looking to sneak in more greens.
Ingredients for Thai Basil Chicken
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Chicken: Using chicken breast or thigh ensures a tender and protein-packed base. Deboned chicken cuts your prep time significantly, so grab it pre-cut if you're in a rush.
- Soy Sauce, Fish Sauce, and Hoisin Sauce: These pantry staples create a savoury, umami-rich sauce with just the right hint of sweetness.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a subtle caramel-like sweetness that balances the salty and tangy flavors.
- Garlic and Onion: Aromatic and slightly spicy, these ingredients bring depth to the dish. Optional: Chili (Skip the chili if your family isn’t into spice.)
- Thai Basil: The star of the dish! Its slightly peppery, licorice-like flavour elevates the chicken to something extraordinary. If your kids find basil too intense, start with half a cup instead of the full cup and adjust to their taste.
- Lime Juice: A kid-favourite addition. The tanginess brightens up the dish and ties all the flavors together beautifully.
Tips for Success (Yes, it can be made faster and more diverse!)
- Meal Prep: Marinate the chicken earlier in the day or the night before to save time and intensify the flavour.
- Adjust to Taste: The recipe calls for 1 cup of Thai basil, but if your kids (or even adults) find it too strong, feel free to dial it back to half a cup.
- Use Leftovers Creatively: The leftovers reheat beautifully. Pack it in your kids’ lunchboxes with rice or use it as a filling for wraps.
Why It’s a Family Favourite
This dish hits the sweet spot between fast and flavourful. It’s the kind of meal that comes together faster than you can decide what to order for takeout. The kids love adding their personal touch with extra lime juice, and we love that it’s nutritious, affordable, and easy to customize. Cooking it fills the house with an irresistible aroma that draws everyone to the table—a win-win for any busy parent.
So, the next time you’re crunched for time but still want a dinner that feels special, give this 30-minute Thai Basil Chicken a try. It might just become your go-to recipe for busy weeknights (or any night, really). We promise, your family will thank you!
"This dish is proof that the simplest ingredients, cooked with love, create the most incredible flavours."
sammi chow
love and harvest
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30-Minute Meal Thai Basil Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken deboned and cut into small chunks
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp hoisin sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- 1 tsp chicken stock powder
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves divided (reserve some for garnish)
- black pepper garnish
- lime juice optional
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the chicken chunks with soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, and fish sauce. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 1 hour for deeper flavor.
- Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the marinated chicken and sauté until the chicken is cooked through and starts to brown slightly, about 5–7 minutes.
- Sprinkle the chicken stock powder over the chicken and pour in the water. Stir well.
- Let the mixture simmer until the liquid reduces down to a thick sauce, about 3–5 minutes.
- Add most of the Thai basil leaves to the pan and stir until they wilt and become fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Transfer the chicken to a serving plate. Garnish with the reserved Thai basil leaves and a generous sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper. Additionally, you can add some lime juice on top of the basil chicken.
