Ingredients
- Chicken breast (1.5 lbs, sliced into bite-sized pieces)
- Full-fat coconut milk (13.5 oz can)
- Green or Red Curry Paste (2 Tbsp)
- Thai Basil leaves (1 cup, packed)
- Bell pepper (1 medium, sliced thinly)
- Garlic (3 cloves, minced)
- Fish sauce (1 Tbsp)
- Olive oil or vegetable oil (2 Tbsp)
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Step 2: Add the sliced chicken to the skillet and cook until it is browned and fully cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Step 3: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the curry paste to the skillet and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Pour in the full can of coconut milk and the sliced bell pepper, stirring until the curry paste is fully dissolved into the sauce.
- Step 4: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, along with the fish sauce. Simmer for 3-5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to fully combine.
- Step 5: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the packed Thai Basil leaves until they wilt slightly (about 1 minute), then serve the Basil Chicken with Coconut Curry Sauce immediately over steamed rice.
Notes
- Leftovers keep beautifully in an airtight container for up to three days, but make sure to chill quickly and stir well before reheating as the coconut milk may separate when cold.
- Gently reheat servings over low heat on the stovetop, stirring often; avoid using high heat in the microwave, which can cause the curry sauce to split or become oily.
- For a complete meal beyond steamed rice, try serving this savory basil chicken over fluffy quinoa or alongside warm, pillowy naan bread perfect for dipping into the remaining coconut curry sauce.
- Since Thai Basil provides the dish’s signature aroma, resist the urge to cook it; adding it off-heat guarantees that the leaves simply wilt, preserving their strong, fresh, slightly anise-like flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American