Spicy Chicken with Thai Basil

This dish brings together tender chicken and fragrant Thai basil with a fiery kick that’s perfect for spice lovers. Quick to prepare and bursting with bold flavors, it’s an easy way to add some excitement to your dinner table.

Start cooking ↓

TIME30 min

SERVINGS4

RATING5.0 / 5

01 / WHAT YOU NEED

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 ½ pounds chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces ¼ cup chopped white onion 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 (13.5 ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk ½ cup diced jarred jalapeno peppers (such as Mt. Olive®) ¼ cup rice vinegar ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric ¼ cup chopped Thai basil

02 / HOW TO MAKE IT

Let's cook.

Cook chicken and sauce

Start by heating some vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the chicken, onion, and garlic, and cook everything together until the chicken is no longer pink—this should take about 6 minutes. While that’s cooking, mix the coconut milk, sugar, diced jalapenos, rice vinegar, salt, and turmeric in a bowl. Once the chicken is ready, turn the heat down to medium and pour the coconut mixture into the pan. Let it come to a gentle simmer, then lower the heat to keep it at a soft bubble. Cook until the chicken is fully done and the sauce has thickened nicely, which usually takes another 6 minutes or so. Finally, take the pan off the heat and stir in the fresh basil right before serving.

03 / EXTRA DETAILS

Good to know.

Cook's tip

- Use fresh Thai basil for the best flavor; dried basil won’t have the same aroma.
- Adjust the chili amount to match your heat preference, starting with less if you’re sensitive to spice.
- Cook the chicken over medium-high heat to get a nice sear without drying it out.

Why you’ll love it

This dish combines bold flavors with fresh herbs for a perfect balance of spicy and aromatic. It’s quick to make and brings a vibrant taste of Thai cuisine to your table. The tender chicken and fragrant basil create a satisfying and memorable meal.

Serving ideas

Serve this with steamed jasmine rice or sticky rice to soak up the flavorful sauce. A side of lightly sautéed vegetables or a crisp cucumber salad pairs well to balance the heat and add freshness.

Storage & leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave to keep the chicken tender and preserve the fresh basil flavor. Avoid freezing, as the texture of the basil and chicken may change.