Description
A vibrant and flavorful Sweet Thai Basil Chicken recipe that’s better than takeout! Ground chicken is cooked with fragrant garlic, ginger, bell peppers, and crunchy cashews, then simmered in a savory-sweet sauce made with soy sauce, fish sauce, honey, and chili paste. Fresh basil and mint add a burst of freshness, and the dish is perfectly served over steamed rice with juicy mango slices for a delightful contrast.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons sesame or peanut oil
- 1 pound ground chicken
- Black pepper, to taste
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
- 2 red or orange bell peppers, chopped
- 1/2 cup raw cashews
Sauce
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2-3 tablespoons chili paste (sambal oelek)
Fresh Herbs & Garnish
- 1 cup fresh basil, roughly torn
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, roughly torn
- 1 mango, thinly sliced or diced
Serving
- Steamed white or brown rice, for serving
Instructions
- Heat the oil and cook the chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of sesame or peanut oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add 1 pound of ground chicken, season with black pepper, and brown the chicken, breaking it apart as it cooks, for about 5 minutes until mostly cooked through.
- Add aromatics and vegetables: Stir in 4 minced or grated garlic cloves, 1 inch of grated fresh ginger, 2 chopped red or orange bell peppers, and 1/2 cup raw cashews. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and the peppers begin to soften.
- Prepare the sauce and simmer: Pour in 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce or tamari, 2 tablespoons fish sauce, 1/4 cup honey, and 2-3 tablespoons sambal oelek chili paste. Bring the sauce to a boil over medium-high heat and continue cooking until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken evenly, about 5-8 minutes.
- Finish with fresh herbs: Remove the skillet from heat and gently stir in 1 cup of roughly torn fresh basil and 1/4 cup fresh mint. The residual heat will wilt the herbs, releasing their aroma.
- Serve: Serve the sweet Thai basil chicken over bowls of steamed white or brown rice. Top with thinly sliced or diced fresh mango and additional basil leaves if desired. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Use low sodium soy sauce to control salt levels.
- You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey or pork based on preference.
- Sambal oelek can be adjusted to taste for spice level or substituted with another chili paste.
- For a vegetarian version, replace ground chicken with crumbled tofu and use vegetarian fish sauce alternatives.
- Cashews add crunch and texture but can be omitted or replaced with peanuts if preferred.
- Fresh mango adds a refreshing sweetness and balances the spicy sauce perfectly.
