Chef John Thai Basil Chicken Recipe

Chicken breast: Thinly sliced for quick cooking and tenderness.

Vegetable oil: Used for stir-frying the ingredients.

Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the dish.

Garlic: Provides a robust, aromatic flavor.

Red chilies: Adds heat and a touch of color.

Bell pepper: Contributes crunch and sweetness.

Soy sauce: Adds a salty, umami flavor.

Fish sauce: Essential for authentic Thai taste.

Oyster sauce: Adds a rich, savory depth.

Sugar: Balances the flavors with a hint of sweetness.

Thai basil leaves: Fresh and aromatic, crucial for the dish's signature flavor.

When stir-frying the garlic and chilies, make sure to keep the heat at medium-high to prevent burning. This will ensure that the aromatic flavors are released without becoming bitter.

• Chicken breast - Substitute with turkey breast: Turkey breast has a similar texture and can be sliced thinly like chicken breast.

• Vegetable oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a neutral flavor and similar smoke point, making it a good alternative for cooking.

• Onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder and slightly sweeter flavor, which can complement the dish well.

• Garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can provide a similar flavor, though it lacks the texture of fresh garlic.

• Red chilies - Substitute with serrano peppers: Serrano peppers have a similar heat level and can be sliced similarly to red chilies.

• Bell pepper - Substitute with poblano pepper: Poblano peppers offer a mild heat and similar texture, making them a good alternative.

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

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

• Oyster sauce - Substitute with hoisin sauce: Hoisin sauce offers a similar sweetness and umami flavor, though it is slightly thicker.

• Sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey can provide a similar sweetness with a slightly different flavor profile.

• Thai basil leaves - Substitute with sweet basil leaves: Sweet basil can offer a similar aromatic quality, though it lacks the distinct anise-like flavor of Thai basil.

• Allow the chicken to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
• Transfer the Thai basil chicken to an airtight container. This helps maintain its freshness and prevents any unwanted odors from seeping in.
• Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume it within 3-4 days. The vegetable oil and sauces will keep the dish moist and flavorful.
• For longer storage, place the cooled chicken in a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
• Label the container with the date. This helps you keep track of how long it has been stored.
• When ready to reheat, thaw the Thai basil chicken in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures even reheating and maintains the texture of the vegetables.
• Reheat the dish in a pan over medium heat, adding a splash of soy sauce or fish sauce if needed to refresh the flavors.
• Alternatively, you can reheat in the microwave. Place the chicken in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
• If the basil leaves have lost their vibrant color, you can add a few fresh leaves during reheating to brighten up the dish.
• Enjoy your Chef John Thai Basil Chicken as a quick and delicious meal, whether freshly made or from the freezer!

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat.
  2. Add a splash of vegetable oil to the pan.
  3. Once the oil is hot, add the leftover Thai Basil Chicken.
  4. Stir occasionally until the chicken is heated through and the vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. If the dish seems dry, add a tablespoon of water or chicken broth to maintain moisture.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the leftover chicken in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a few small holes for ventilation.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Stir the chicken and vegetables halfway through to ensure even heating.
  5. Continue microwaving in 1-minute intervals until the dish is heated through.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover 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. Stir halfway through to ensure even heating.

• Steaming Method:

  1. Set up a steamer basket over a pot of simmering water.
  2. Place the leftover chicken in the steamer basket.
  3. Cover and steam for about 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken and vegetables are heated through.
  4. This method helps retain the moisture and freshness of the dish.

• Sous Vide Method:

  1. Place the leftover Thai Basil Chicken in a vacuum-sealed bag or a ziplock bag using the water displacement method.
  2. Set your sous vide machine to 140°F (60°C).
  3. Submerge the bag in the water bath and heat for about 30 minutes.
  4. This method ensures the chicken remains tender and juicy without overcooking.

• Pan: A large, flat-bottomed pan is essential for stir-frying the ingredients quickly and evenly.

• Spatula: A spatula is useful for stirring and flipping the ingredients to ensure even cooking.

• Knife: A sharp knife is necessary for slicing the chicken, onion, chilies, and bell pepper.

• Cutting board: A sturdy cutting board provides a safe surface for chopping and slicing the ingredients.

• Measuring spoons: Measuring spoons are used to accurately measure the soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar.

• Bowl: A bowl is useful for holding the sliced chicken before cooking.

• Tongs: Tongs can be used to handle the chicken and vegetables while cooking.

• Garlic press: A garlic press can be used to mince the garlic cloves quickly and efficiently.

• Serving dish: A serving dish is used to present the finished Thai basil chicken.

Prep ingredients ahead: Slice the chicken breast, onion, garlic, chilies, and bell pepper in advance to save time during cooking.

Use a hot pan: Ensure the pan is hot before adding oil and ingredients to speed up the cooking process.

Combine sauces: Mix soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar in a bowl beforehand for quick addition.

Cook in batches: If your pan is small, cook the chicken in batches to ensure even cooking.

Fresh basil last: Add basil leaves at the end to keep them fresh and vibrant.