Spicy Thai Basil Chicken Recipe

Chicken breast: Thinly sliced to ensure quick and even cooking.

Vegetable oil: Used for stir-frying the ingredients.

Garlic: Minced to release its full flavor.

Red chilies: Chopped to add heat to the dish.

Basil leaves: Fresh leaves that provide a fragrant aroma and flavor.

Soy sauce: Adds a salty and savory element.

Fish sauce: Contributes a unique umami taste.

Sugar: Balances the flavors with a hint of sweetness.

Lime: Juiced to add a tangy freshness.

When stir-frying the chicken, make sure to slice it thinly and uniformly. This ensures that the chicken cooks quickly and evenly, preventing any pieces from becoming overcooked or dry. Additionally, using a high heat when adding the garlic and chilies helps to release their flavors more effectively, creating a more aromatic and flavorful base for the dish.

• Chicken breast - Substitute with turkey breast: Turkey breast is a lean protein similar to chicken breast and will absorb the flavors well.

• Vegetable oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point, making it suitable for stir-frying.

• Garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a similar aromatic base and can add a slightly sweeter flavor.

• Red chilies - Substitute with jalapeños: Jalapeños offer a similar level of heat and are more readily available in some regions.

• Fresh basil leaves - Substitute with fresh mint leaves: Fresh mint leaves can provide a refreshing and aromatic flavor, though it will be slightly different from basil.

• Soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce and has a similar umami flavor.

• Fish sauce - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can provide a similar salty and umami flavor, though it lacks the fishy undertone.

• Sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey can add a natural sweetness and a slight floral note to the dish.

• Lime, juiced - Substitute with lemon, juiced: Lemon juice provides a similar acidity and citrus flavor, though it is slightly less sweet than lime.

• Allow the chicken to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
• Transfer the Spicy Thai Basil Chicken to an airtight container. Glass containers are preferable as they do not retain odors and are easy to clean.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent any cross-contamination with other foods.
• For freezing, portion the chicken into meal-sized servings. This makes it easier to thaw and reheat only what you need.
• Place the portions in freezer-safe bags or containers. Remove as much air as possible from the bags to prevent freezer burn.
• Label each container with the date of storage. This helps you keep track of how long the chicken has been stored.
• Freeze for up to 2-3 months. While the chicken will remain safe to eat beyond this period, the quality and flavor may start to degrade.
• To reheat, thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures even thawing and maintains the texture of the dish.
• Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until the chicken is thoroughly warmed. You can add a splash of soy sauce or a squeeze of lime juice to refresh the flavors.
• Alternatively, microwave the chicken in a microwave-safe dish, covered, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of vegetable oil to the pan.
  3. Add the leftover Spicy Thai Basil Chicken and stir occasionally.
  4. Cook until the chicken is heated through and the basil leaves are fragrant.
  5. Serve immediately with freshly steamed rice.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the leftover Spicy Thai Basil Chicken in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
  3. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  4. Check if the chicken is heated thoroughly. If not, continue heating in 30-second intervals.
  5. Let it sit for a minute before serving to allow the heat to distribute evenly.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover Spicy Thai Basil Chicken in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
  4. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through.
  5. Remove from the oven and let it rest for a couple of minutes before serving.

• Steaming Method:

  1. Set up a steamer basket over a pot of simmering water.
  2. Place the leftover Spicy Thai Basil Chicken in the steamer basket.
  3. Cover and steam for about 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through.
  4. Carefully remove the steamer basket and serve the chicken hot with rice.

• Sous Vide Method:

  1. Preheat your sous vide machine to 140°F (60°C).
  2. Place the leftover Spicy Thai Basil Chicken in a vacuum-sealed bag or a resealable plastic bag using the water displacement method.
  3. Submerge the bag in the water bath and heat for about 30 minutes.
  4. Remove the bag from the water bath, carefully open it, and serve the chicken hot.

• Wok: A deep, round-bottomed cooking pot that is ideal for stir-frying ingredients quickly and evenly.

• Spatula: A flat, broad tool used for flipping and stirring ingredients in the wok.

• Cutting board: A durable surface on which to slice the chicken, garlic, and chilies.

• Chef's knife: A sharp knife used for slicing the chicken breast thinly and chopping the garlic and chilies.

• Measuring spoons: Tools used to measure out the soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and vegetable oil accurately.

• Juicer: A tool to extract juice from the lime efficiently.

• Serving bowl: A bowl to hold the cooked chicken and basil mixture before serving.

• Rice cooker: An appliance to cook rice perfectly to accompany the spicy Thai basil chicken.

• Tongs: A tool to handle and serve the hot chicken mixture without burning your hands.

Pre-slice the chicken: Slice the chicken breast in advance and store it in the fridge to save time during cooking.

Use a garlic press: Mince the garlic quickly with a garlic press instead of chopping it by hand.

Pre-mix the sauces: Combine the soy sauce, fish sauce, and sugar in a small bowl before starting to cook.

Prep the basil: Wash and dry the basil leaves ahead of time, so they are ready to toss in.

Cook rice in advance: Prepare the rice earlier and reheat it when ready to serve.