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Chicken and Basil Stir-Fry

If you see Thai basil (also called holy basil) at your market, give it a try. It has pointed leaves and tastes of mint, cinnamon, and licorice.
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Chicken and Basil Stir-Fry

Although not authentic, this Thai-inspired dinner is a great way to feature basil. Everyday Food editor Sarah Carey shows you how to whip up this stir-fry quickly.

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    Everyday Food, June 2006
    • Prep Time 40 minutes
    • Total Time 40 minutes
    • Yield Serves 4
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    Ingredients

    • 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices (longer pieces cut crosswise in half again)
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    • Coarse salt and ground pepper
    • 6 teaspoons vegetable oil
    • 1 small onion, halved and cut into 1/4-inch-thick wedges
    • 2 bell peppers (red, yellow, green, or a mix, ribs and seeds removed), cut into 1/4-inch-wide strips
    • 6 garlic cloves, minced
    • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
    • 1 1/2 cups fresh basil leaves, larger leaves torn in half
    • Cooked white rice, for serving (optional)

    Directions

    1. Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss chicken with cornstarch until coated; season generously with salt and pepper.

    2. In a large wok or nonstick skillet, heat 2 teaspoons oil over medium-high. Cook half the chicken, turning once, until browned, but not completely cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes total. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with another 2 teaspoons oil and remaining chicken. Transfer chicken to plate. Set aside. Wipe out skillet with a paper towel.

    3. To skillet, add remaining 2 teaspoons oil, onion, and bell peppers; cook over medium-high heat, tossing often, until beginning to brown, 3 minutes. Add garlic; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

    4. Add 1/4 cup water, vinegar, soy sauce, and chicken to pan; cook, tossing, until chicken is cooked through, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in basil leaves. Serve immediately, over white rice, if desired.

    Recipe Reviews

    Reviews (24)

    • Rachael0722
      26 Apr, 2013

      We did this in cooking class and the kids loved it. We doubled the sauce and it was gone, like in a matter of minutes. Nothing like 8th grade boys.

    • youngchef13
      10 Apr, 2013

      Oh my goodness! I just want to say that Sarah Carey in my total inspiration. I am just 13 years old and have a passion for cooking and baking. Watching Sarah's videos gives me a realistic take on cooking and baking. All of the recipes are great especially considering that all of the recipes are easy, fun, and delicious even to a 13 year old girl. Thanks Sarah!

    • Shonna Hill
      22 Mar, 2013

      I made this tonight. Living in Cambodia, I had a good idea what Chicken Basil is supposed to taste like, so added a good wallop of sambal oelek (hot sauce). I also used a wok and did all the chicken at once. It was delicious. My man is very happy. Served with brown rice.

    • teachermum
      4 Nov, 2011

      Very good! I'm always looking for ways to use my abundance of basil and it tastes great in this recipe.

    • TorontoSarah
      16 Oct, 2011

      Great Recipe, I prepared using a wok and served over whole wheat couscous for a healthier alternative to white rice. Once when preparing I was without fresh basil and put in a bit of dried when adding the liquid and it actually worked out fairly well ( not as good as the fresh but worked in a pinch!)

    • Crafty1000
      9 Oct, 2011

      This recipe this great.I grow my own basil,so I used it instead of the thai basil.I turned out SUPERB.My family loved it. The chicken was moist and tender.I got the rice from a local chinese resturant.This is a hit in my family.THANKS

    • ilovekentucky
      1 Sep, 2011

      This recipe is absolutely delicious, full of flavor (love that Thai basil) & easy , especially if the peppers, onion & garlic are prepped in advance. The only change that I made was preparing it in a wok.

      Definitely a keeper!

    • abbeydabbydoo
      24 Aug, 2011

      Am 18 and teaching myself to cook. This was an awesome recipe to try out with my family and my younger siblings loved it :)

    • sillysara
      15 Aug, 2011

      this dish had no flavor. i wont make it again.

    • charchar37
      12 Feb, 2011

      this recipe is amazing. i made it exactly to recipe except i used regular basil instead of thai basil. i'm not sure how people think that it is flavorless... it was beyond delicious (and me and my family like spicey flavorful food). i did take them at their word when it said to salt and pepper the chicken generously...maybe that made the difference. in any case.. a wonderful recipe and would definitely recommend. YUM.

    • cooking4life
      29 Oct, 2010

      I made this last night but altered a few things. From the comments below, it seems most of of you thought it was flavorless...so I added red pepper flavored rice vinegar instead of just regular. I also personally don't love mint in my dinners, so I only added a tiny bit of Thai Basil leaves. Tasted great!

    • JenBallot
      27 Sep, 2010

      I made the Chicken Holy Basil from the latest Martha Stewart magazine (Oct. 2010), and it was quick, easy, and delicious -- a BIG hit with everyone in the family. I think I'll stick with that recipe. This one seems more complicated and doesn't seem to get the raves like the other one.

    • elventryst
      29 Jul, 2010

      I have to agree with the first two comments-- this recipe isn't that good. It's not that bad, but not very flavorful. I don't think we'll be making this one again.

    • elventryst
      29 Jul, 2010

      I have to agree with the first two comments-- this recipe isn't that good. It's not that bad, but not very flavorful. I don't think we'll be making this one again.

    • lynlor
      23 Jul, 2010

      NOT good. :( The flavor wasn't at all balanced and tasted mostly of rice vinegar. The chicken also had a slimy texture (similar to that in our local Asian restaurants) even after browning, which I now know is due to the cornstarch dredge. It thickened up beautifully, and looked picture perfect (I even took a picture it was so gorgeous!) but the flavor definitely needed rounding out. Sorry. :(

    • sillysara
      22 Jul, 2010

      i found this recipe to be very bland and too watery. i wouldn't make it again.

    • enelson82
      25 Feb, 2009

      Thai Basil Chicken is one of my favorite dishes and though this recipe didn't match that of my local take-out place, it was very good. It was quick to make, healthy, and delicious. It was even better the next day as leftovers!

    • Ligu
      17 Jan, 2009

      This recipe is awesome, but I think you really need the Thai basil for the best flavor. I've tried it with both kinds and there's no comparison. Thai basil is tricky to find but you can usually find it at Whole Foods when it's in season.

    • jeanob14
      22 Aug, 2008

      Quick and easy. Used regular basil and still tasted great.

    • Pili
      22 Jul, 2008

      Easy, faxt, tasty! Everyone was asking for more!

    • lilfigueroa
      13 Jul, 2008

      This was a hit with my fiancee... I substitued the rice vinegar with reg vinegar and used Kosher salt... I also some pasta leftover from another meal which I used as my carb. I heated the pasta in the same pan that the chicken was cooking in (toward the end when the chicken was mostly cooked). Definetly recommend it.

    • scurvyann
      16 Jun, 2008

      fantastic meal! i've made this a few times - i use less garlic, and add fresh ginger. the last time i made it, i doubled the water, vinegar and soy sauce to make more sauce for the rice. it is also wonderful served over brown rice. highly recommended!

    • toplessmartha
      3 Jan, 2008

      great recipe. quick and easy and a real family pleaser. i add fresh jalapeno rings to give it a little extra kick.

    • tabatharomero
      30 Dec, 2007

      Great Recipe! It was simple and delicious!

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