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Under 30 minute Better Than Takeout Sweet Thai Basil Chicken. The super fast Thai chicken rice bowl that looks like takeout, but tastes so much better and is healthier too. Quick-cooking and lean ground chicken, tossed in a sweet and spicy Thai chili sauce with garden fresh bell peppers, cashews, and summer’s most flavorful basil. Serve this chicken over steamed rice and top with fresh mangos. Every bite is saucy, sweet, spicy, and hinted with basil. It’s delicious and healthy. Major bonus? This is all made in one pan without the use of your oven. Perfect for hot summer days.
I think the number one question I get asked is how I stay inspired to create new recipes. I must admit, it can be really, really challenging. There are weeks that I feel completely defeated, as though nothing I’ve created was delicious enough, pretty enough, or worthy of sharing with you all. Obviously, I am my own worst critic, but while it can sometimes be a challenge, I still love it.
When inspiration is running low, I try to look at all the things around me. Everything from the people, the season, the flowers, the colors, even the food I have on hand. Right now, it’s the season and the produce that are inspiring me most.
I mentioned in my favorites post this past Sunday that our garden…greenhouse to be specific…is overflowing with herbs, salad greens, bell peppers, and soon to be cherry tomatoes. It’s the most beautiful scene and I love clipping fresh herbs every day. It makes me so happy.
The herb we have the most of? BASIL, so much basil. Way more than I know what to do with…I see lots of pesto and pizza in the future. And, of course, this Thai chicken too, which as you’ve probably guessed was created thanks to the fact that our basil plants are completely overflowing and our bell peppers are ready for picking.
Often times I sway towards Italian dishes when working with basil. But currently, I am really inspired by Thai flavors. Enter this chicken.
It’s saucy, spicy, sweet, a touch salty, and just about as delicious as a quick-cooking Thai chicken dinner can get. I really can’t say enough good things about this recipe. It’s one of those dishes that will become a monthly staple.
Why? Well, it’s simple, it’s quick, it’s pretty healthy, and it’s a dinner that most everyone really loves.
Here are the details.
It’s all starts and ends in one pan and is ready in the blink of an eye. Truly.
Brown some ground chicken. Season it up with black pepper, then add in bell peppers, garlic, and ginger. Oh, and some cashews too! The bell peppers really bulk up the chicken and add in a good amount of vegetables. You could also toss in some broccoli and or bok choy, either would be great.
The garlic and ginger add all the flavor, while the cashews add a hearty crunch.
Now, the sauce. It’s a mix up of my very favorite Thai flavors, soy sauce, fish sauce, honey, and chili sauce (sambal oelek). Nothing fancy, but all things good.
And if you think you don’t like fish sauce, I highly, highly recommend you give it a try. It’s such an insanely good sauce that adds so much flavor to Thai dishes. If you ask me, it’s essential.
As soon as the chicken is cooked and the sauce has thickened, remove it from the heat and stir in plenty of fresh basil and fresh mint. Serve over steamed rice (white or brown both work, or use quinoa).
And you guys…that’s it. Takes less than 30 minutes to make and is so much better than your local Thai takeout. LOVE!
If you make this better than takeout sweet Thai basil chicken be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Better Than Takeout Sweet Thai Basil Chicken.
Servings: 4
Calories Per Serving: 528 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons sesame or peanut oil
- 1 pound ground chicken
- black pepper
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
- 2 red or orange bell peppers, chopped
- 1/2 cup raw cashews
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2-3 tablespoons chili paste (sambal oelek)
- 1 cup fresh basil, roughly torn
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, roughly torn
- steamed white or brown rice, for serving
- 1 mango, thinly sliced or diced
Instructions
- 1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the chicken. Season with black pepper and brown all over, breaking the chicken up as it cooks, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, peppers, and cashews, cook another 2-3 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant. Pour in the soy sauce, fish sauce, chili paste, and honey. Bring the sauce to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until the sauce coats the chicken, about 5-8 minutes. 2. Remove from the heat and stir in the basil and mint.3. Serve the chicken and sauce over bowls of rice. Top with mangos and additional basil. Enjoy!
Hello,
I tried this recipe and it was wayyy too salty. I think it might be time to adjust it since there are a lot of comments saying the same thing.
Hi Derek! I am sorry about that! I will look into it! xTieghan
I just made this and also found it too salty even with the low sodium soy sauce. Trying to figure out what I can add to tone down the leftovers, because the other flavors were quite good—just overpowered by the saltiness.
Hi Joni,
So sorry to hear this, thanks for giving the recipe a try! xTieghan
This was really quite tasty. I did use low sodium soy sauce, and found it too salty. However I definitely don’t use much salt regularly so I am likely a bit more aware of it than others. I should have skimmed more of the reviews and adjusted based on some of the comments I am now reading. That said, hunny loved it. I used 2 tbsp of chili paste and added 3 small hot Thai chilis, it was perfect for us. I also added some baby bok choy when I added the liquid ingredients.
Thank you so much for trying this recipe, Robyn! I am really glad this turned out well for you! xTieghan
This is my second recipe that I have made of yours and I am honestly blown away! This recipe was the perfect mix of spicy and sweet. I wasn’t going to add the mango, but I am so glad that I did. I will definitely recommend this recipe to others!
Thank you so much Jessica! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Really good! We subbed cauliflower in for peppers so it came out a bit more watery but it was still delicious.
Thank you Mickey! xTieghan
Just made this for dinner! It was so good. I was happy because it was quick and easy for a weeknight meal. My husband was really surprised and loved it.
Thank you so much Katie! I am really glad this turned out well for you! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan! I’m new to your FANTASTIC cooking – found you while searching for a thai basil, chicken recipe and made your delicious recipe! Phenomenal flavors. Also made the honey glazed scallops and herbed polenta recently – also excellent! Thanks for sharing all of your great cooking!
Hi Lee!! I am so glad you found my page and have been enjoying my recipes! I hope you continue to! Thank you so much! xTieghan
This dish really is better than takeout! So great!
Thank you Kim! xTieghan
This tastes absolutely divine. A new staple to our short list of dinner repeats! Thank you yet again for sharing the world your talents.
You are so sweet! I am really glad this turned out so well for you, Hannah! Thank you! xTieghan
This was so delicious. The whole family loved it. I even added some dried chiles to kick up the heat a bit.
Thank you so much Jennifer! xTieghan
Tieghan, I made this tonight and it was sublime. Your recipes are such a gift and we are all lucky to have your incredible culinary mind! Thank you for making healthy cooking so accessible and delicious – I am infinitely grateful for the way your recipes have been connecting my friends and me during these uncertain times! Much love from a fellow CO girl!
Aw you are too sweet! I am so glad you have been enjoying my recipes and I hope you continue to!! xTieghan
So. Good.
Thank you so much Sarah! xTieghan
Just made this! Tastes so much like a pad kra pao I get at my favourite Thai restaurants. Thanks Thiegan!
Thank you so much Jacob!! I am so glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Yum! Made this for dinner. Took less than an hour and one of the top ten best things I’ve ever made!!!
Love that!! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you, Jill! Thanks for trying it! xTieghan
Quick and tasty
Thank you Rose! xTieghan
Very nice flavor. I followed the recipe exactly and found as others have, it was too salty. I’ll make again because it’s super fast but I’ll cut back a bit on the soy sauce. I didn’t add salt at all.
Hi Tara! I am sorry about that. I am really glad you still enjoyed this. Please let me know if you have any questions on this! xTieghan