difficulty
Beginner
Servings
2 servings
Prep time
15 min
Cooking time
25 min
Calories
690 kcal
This Sticky Thai Basil Chicken with Crispy Coconut Rice is sweet, salty, slightly spicy, and packed with fresh basil flavor. Juicy pieces of chicken are cooked in a dark, glossy garlic-chili sauce and served over coconut jasmine rice with crispy golden edges.
The coconut rice is my favorite part. Frying the cooked rice for a few minutes gives you little crispy pieces throughout, while the center stays soft and fluffy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is quick, flavorful, and a little different from your usual chicken dinner. The sticky Thai basil chicken is sweet, savory, and slightly spicy, while the crispy coconut rice adds the perfect texture.
It’s easy enough for a weeknight but still feels like something you’d order at a Thai restaurant.
Ingredients
- Sticky Thai Basil Chicken:
- 350 g boneless chicken thighs, cut into pieces
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 red chili, finely sliced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp lime juice
- 1 large handful fresh Thai basil
- Crispy Coconut Rice:
- 150 g jasmine rice
- 150 ml coconut milk
- 150 ml water
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- Pinch of salt
- To Finish:
- Fresh Thai basil
- Sliced red chili
- Green onions
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Cook the jasmine rice with the coconut milk, water, and salt until soft and fluffy.
- Heat the coconut oil in a large skillet. Add the cooked rice and gently press it into the pan. Leave it untouched for 3–4 minutes until the bottom becomes golden and crispy. Break it into large pieces and set aside.
- Heat the vegetable oil in the same pan and cook the chicken for 5–6 minutes until deeply golden.
- Add the garlic and red chili and cook for 30 seconds.
- Mix the soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, fish sauce, and lime juice.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and cook for 2–3 minutes until dark, sticky, and glossy.
- Turn off the heat and fold through the fresh Thai basil.
- Serve the sticky chicken over the crispy coconut rice and finish with fresh basil, chili, green onions, and lime.
Nutrition per serving
- Protein: ~39 g
- Carbohydrates: ~72 g
- Fat: ~27 g
- Fiber: ~3 g
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Meal Prep
This recipe is great for meal prep and stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Divide the coconut rice and Thai basil chicken between airtight containers and reheat until hot.
I recommend adding fresh basil, green onions, and lime after reheating. The rice will lose some of its crispiness, but a few minutes in a hot skillet helps bring the texture back.
Tips For The Best Sticky Thai Basil Chicken with Crispy Coconut Rice
- Use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast for juicier, more flavorful chicken.
- Let the rice cool slightly before frying to get crispier edges.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when cooking the chicken.
- Add the Thai basil after turning off the heat to keep its fresh flavor.
- Taste the sauce before serving and add extra lime if it feels too sweet.
- I like to leave the rice untouched in the pan for a few minutes for the best crispy texture.
Variations
I’ve tried a few different versions of this recipe, but I still prefer the original. If you want to experiment, try swapping the chicken for ground turkey, adding extra chili for more heat, or serving it with jasmine rice instead of crispy coconut rice.
You can also add vegetables like green beans, bell peppers, or bok choy. For an extra creamy twist, drizzle a little coconut yogurt over the top before serving.
FAQ
Thai basil chicken is savory, slightly sweet, and a little spicy. The fresh basil adds a peppery, aromatic flavor that makes the dish taste completely different from a regular chicken stir-fry.
The recipe has a mild kick from the red chili, but it isn’t extremely spicy. You can easily use less chili or remove the seeds for a milder version.
Thai basil is an aromatic herb commonly used in Southeast Asian cooking. It has a slightly peppery flavor with subtle anise-like notes.
Yes. The flavor won’t be exactly the same, but regular basil still works well. I recommend adding plenty of it for the best flavor.
Add a small splash of water or coconut milk and stir until the sauce loosens.
Recipe by vino
I love this recipe because the crispy coconut rice makes it feel completely different from a regular chicken and rice dinner. The sticky Thai basil chicken is packed with flavor, but the fresh lime and basil keep everything balanced.
It’s one of those recipes I started making as an experiment and ended up adding to my regular dinner rotation.
