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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!
This looks amazing! Can I try with ground beef?
Hi Lauren,
Totally, that should work well for you! I hope this recipe turns out amazing, let me know if you give it a try! xx
This is so delicious! I would recommend only putting 1 tablespoon of chili paste and then you can add more spice later if needed. I had garlic chili paste so I left out the garlic. My family is obsessed with this recipe! We double the amount of peppers and serve over plain quinoa which balances out the salt.
Hey Lollie,
Amazing!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks so much for trying it out! xT🍂
Hi! So excited to try this but I have a seafood allergy… What do you recommend in place of the fish sauce? Trader Joe’s has an Umami Seasoning… Would that work?
Hey Brittany,
Sure, I bet an Umami seasoning would be yummy! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
Holy cow, this was amazing! Agree with others that I’ll double it next time to have more leftovers. Looked (and tasted) like it came from a restaurant. I’ve loved every one of your recipes I’ve used – long time user first time commenter. Thank you!!
Hey Emily,
Wonderful! I am so excited to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for trying it out! xx
I only added 1/4 cup of soy sauce as I wanted it less saucy (and salty) and it was perfect!
Hi there,
Happy Wednesday!? Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad it was a tasty one! xxT
I love and make so many of Tieghan’s recipes, but this one is a miss. Even using Coconut Aminos it was way too salty!! Please cut this with water or something! I even added a little orange juice and it didn’t help.
Hi there,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe and sharing your feedback, so sorry to hear it was not enjoyed! xTieghan
Coming back to this recipe again because it’s always a hit with my husband! I’ve made it both with ground chicken and with normal chicken breast and both ways are delicious.
Hey Kelli,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks for sharing your feedback and making this recipe, I am so glad it was a hit! Happy 4th of July!??
This was soooo good, and super easy too. I had an abundance of fresh basil and this was the perfect way to use some of it.
Hey Miranda,
Perfect!! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for trying it out! Have a great holiday weekend!?? xxT
so good. the mango is key.
Hi Cassandra,
Awesome!! Love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it and sharing your feedback!! 🙂
Absolutely delicious! Everyone loved this. Next time I am making a double batch because we hardly had any leftovers.
Hi Kelly,
Perfect!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit and appreciate you giving it a try! xxTieghan
Tieghan,
I had to comment to let you know how delicious this turned out. I’m never disappointed about the recipes you come up with, they are always unique and turn out amazing.
I will add that I swapped the soy sauce out for coconut aminos to prevent it being overly salty, and it was great!
Thank you!!
Hey Megan,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a go and sharing your feedback!! I love to hear that it was a winner:) Thanks for your kind message! xTieghan
YUM! This was so easy and so good. Like others, I subbed soy sauce with coconut aminos for a slightly sweeter, less salty taste. I had garlic chili paste on hand so I left out the garlic and used that as my garlic-chili paste combo. I added mustard greens and fresh chives from my garden! Delish! This will become part of our regular favorite rotation in our home. Thanks.
Hey Tia,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed!! Have the best week:) xTieghan
So good. Cut back a little on the peppers since not our favorite but loved the crunch and colors. So quick to make for weeknight dinner.
Hey Lisa,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thank you so much for giving it a try!! Have the best day:) xx
Even with the low sodium soy this recipe is so unbelievably salty it ruind the dish. Tieghan should find another career
It’s mind boggling that anyone would post such a rude comment as the one above from Fusili Jerry?! Tieghan, your recipes are amazing!
I was just scrolling comments to see if I could substitute ground turkey?
Thank you,
Heidi
Hi Heidi,
Sure, ground turkey will work well for you here! Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it!! xTieghan
Delicious! Made recipe as written. Super easy and will make again!
Hey Mary Ann,
Awesome!! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a hit. Have the best week:) xx