FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You’ll Love This Thai Basil Chicken Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Thai Basil Chicken
• Storage Instructions
• What To Serve With Thai Basil Chicken
• More Spicy Asian Recipes
• Thai Basil Chicken (Easy 20-Minute Dinner) Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

Get ready to spice up your dinner routine with this irresistible — and oh-so-easy — Thai basil chicken recipe. Inspired by the flavors of a classic chicken stir fry combined with my visits to Thai restaurants, this dish features tender chicken and crisp vegetables, but what sets it apart is the fiery kick from the Thai chilies and the fragrant Thai basil. Best of all, it only takes 20 minutes! If you’re a fan of easy chicken recipes and enjoy bold flavors, this Thai chicken recipe with basil is for you.

Why You’ll Love This Thai Basil Chicken Recipe

• Bursting with bold, spicy flavor
• Flavor, juicy chicken
• Crisp tender veggies
• Natural, sweet sauce
• Quick and easy 20-minute dinner

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for this Thai chicken recipe with basil, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

Sauce:

Many Thai basil chicken recipes use oyster sauce to create a sweet, salty, and savory flavor, but I opted for a cleaner-ingredient sauce without the refined sugar:

• Fish Sauce – Gives the sauce a savory umami flavor. Nothing else is quite like it, but the closest substitute would be a mixture of anchovy paste mixed with coconut aminos, soy sauce, or tamari.
• Coconut Aminos – Adds a combination of savory, umami, and slightly sweet flavors. This is my go-to soy sauce substitute , but you could also use low sodium soy sauce instead.
• Honey – For natural sweetness. I usually use sugar-free honey , but regular also works.

Thai Basil Chicken:

• Olive Oil – Oil is needed for sauteing the chicken and vegetables. Some recipes use vegetable oil, but I prefer healthier olive oil . You can use avocado oil, coconut oil, or any heat-safe cooking oil.
• Chicken – I used boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into very small pieces, but you could also make this Thai basil chicken recipe with boneless skinless chicken breasts instead. Either way, cut the chicken into very small pieces. Alternatively, you could use ground chicken instead.
• Veggies – Including bell peppers and onions. I used bell peppers and yellow onion, but almost all kinds will work. You could also use shallots instead of onions.
• Thai Chilies – These peppers are known for being very spicy, ranging from moderately hot to extremely hot. To make this Thai dish less spicy, you can substitute milder chili peppers, like jalapeños (the mildest, but still spicy) or serrano peppers (for more heat, but less intense than Thai chili peppers).
• Garlic – I use fresh minced garlic for the best flavor, but you can also use 2 teaspoons of jarred garlic if you prefer. If you must, you could also substitute 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
• Thai Basil Leaves – Unlike regular sweet basil, Thai basil has a spicy, anise (licorice-like) flavor. If you can’t find it, regular basil will work, but will taste different.
• Sea Salt

VARIATION: Add other veggies!

For more texture and variety, try using other vegetables, like snap peas, carrots, broccoli florets, mushrooms, zucchini, or baby corn.

How To Make Thai Basil Chicken

This section shows how to make Thai basil chicken stir fry, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Whisk the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together fish sauce, coconut aminos, and honey. Set aside.
2. Cook the chicken. In a large skillet or wok, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown.

1. Stir fry the veggies. Add the red pepper, onion, Thai chilies, and garlic. Cook until the vegetables are softened, the onions are translucent, and the chicken is cooked through.
2. Combine. Add the fish sauce mixture to the pan. Cook until warm.
3. Add basil and enjoy. Remove from heat. Adjust salt to taste if needed. Toss the chicken with the Thai basil.

Storage Instructions

• Store: Keep leftover Thai basil chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Meal prep: Double the recipe and store in individual meal-sized containers in the refrigerator. This dish makes a great chicken meal prep idea !
• Reheat: Warm up in the microwave, or on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring often.
• Freeze: Cool, pour into a zip lock bag, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

What To Serve With Thai Basil Chicken

At Thai restaurants, this dish is typically called pad krapow gai, and it is served over jasmine rice and topped with a fried egg. It’s pretty much a one-pan meal!

However, you could also serve this spicy Thai basil chicken with other types of rice, such as white rice, fried rice , brown rice, or even (my personal fave shown above) cauliflower rice . A refreshing Thai salad or savory egg drop soup would also pair well with this dish.

More Spicy Asian Recipes

If you like the heat of this Thai chicken recipe with basil, try some of my other spicy Asian-inspired dishes:

Thai Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

Blistered Shishito Peppers

Coconut Chicken Curry

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 3 tbsp Fish sauce ▢
• 3 tbsp Coconut aminos (or soy sauce) ▢
• 2 tbsp Honey (or sugar-free honey ) ▢
• 2 tbsp Olive oil ▢
• 2 lb Boneless skinless chicken thighs (cut into very small pieces) ▢
• 1 large Red bell pepper (diced) ▢
• 1 medium Yellow onion (diced) ▢
• 4 medium Thai chilies (minced, seeds and stems removed) ▢
• 4 cloves Garlic (minced) ▢
• 1 cup Thai basil leaves (packed) ▢
• Sea salt (optional, to taste) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the fish sauce, coconut aminos, and honey. Set aside.
2. In a large skillet or wok , heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes , stirring occasionally, until golden brown.
3. Add the red pepper, onion, Thai chilies, and garlic. Stir fry for 5-6 minutes , until the peppers are softened, the onions are translucent, and the chicken is cooked through.
4. Add the fish sauce/aminos/honey mixture to the pan. Cook for 1-2 minutes , until warm.
5. Remove from heat. Adjust salt to taste if needed. Stir in the Thai basil.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

Nutrition info does not include optional salt and is calculated using sugar free honey.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Thai Basil Chicken

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

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1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
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The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

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Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Thai Basil Chicken (Easy 20-Minute Dinner)

You’ll love this easy Thai basil chicken recipe with chilies, garlic, bell peppers, onions, Thai basil, and sweet sauce. Ready in 20 minutes!

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/thai-basil-chicken/

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp Fish sauce
• 3 tbsp Coconut aminos (or soy sauce)
• 2 tbsp Honey (or sugar-free honey )
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 2 lb Boneless skinless chicken thighs (cut into very small pieces)
• 1 large Red bell pepper (diced)
• 1 medium Yellow onion (diced)
• 4 medium Thai chilies (minced, seeds and stems removed)
• 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 cup Thai basil leaves (packed)
• Sea salt (optional, to taste)

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the fish sauce, coconut aminos, and honey. Set aside.
2. In a large skillet or wok , heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes , stirring occasionally, until golden brown.
3. Add the red pepper, onion, Thai chilies, and garlic. Stir fry for 5-6 minutes , until the peppers are softened, the onions are translucent, and the chicken is cooked through.
4. Add the fish sauce/aminos/honey mixture to the pan. Cook for 1-2 minutes , until warm.
5. Remove from heat. Adjust salt to taste if needed. Stir in the Thai basil.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

Nutrition info does not include optional salt and is calculated using sugar free honey.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)