Coconut Basil Chicken Recipe
Introduction
This Coconut Basil Chicken recipe offers a creamy, fragrant dish full of bold flavors from coconut milk, fresh basil, and a hint of chili crisp. It’s a comforting and easy-to-make meal perfect for weeknights or casual dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 1.1 pounds chicken tenders (or chicken fillets cut into strips)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 shallot (diced)
- 1 tsp chili crisp (more to taste)
- 1 can (14 oz/400 ml) unsweetened coconut milk
- 2 tbsp fish sauce (or low sodium soy sauce)
- 1 tbsp water
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tsp honey
- ½ lime (juiced)
- 1 cup basil leaves (or ½ cup Thai basil)
Instructions
- Step 1: Dice the shallot and mince the garlic. Season the chicken tenders with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and turmeric.
- Step 2: In a small cup, whisk together the fish sauce, water, cornstarch, and honey until smooth. Set aside.
- Step 3: Heat the avocado oil in a heavy-bottomed pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken tenders in a single layer and sear for 3 minutes on each side. Transfer the chicken to a clean plate.
- Step 4: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced shallot and minced garlic to the pan and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 5: Stir in the chili crisp, coconut milk, and the fish sauce mixture. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Step 6: Stir in the basil leaves and lime juice. Return the chicken to the pan and simmer for 3 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Step 7: Serve the Coconut Basil Chicken hot over rice. Enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- Use Thai basil for a more authentic flavor, but regular sweet basil works well too.
- If you prefer less heat, reduce the amount of chili crisp or omit it altogether.
- For a thicker sauce, you can add a little extra cornstarch slurry before simmering.
- Substitute chicken tenders with boneless chicken thighs for juicier meat.
Storage
Store leftover Coconut Basil Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave to avoid separating the coconut milk. This dish does not freeze well due to the coconut milk.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use regular soy sauce instead of fish sauce?
Yes, low sodium soy sauce is a good substitute for fish sauce, though it will slightly change the flavor profile. Fish sauce provides a distinct umami taste unique to Southeast Asian dishes.
What can I serve with Coconut Basil Chicken?
This dish is delicious served over jasmine or basmati rice. You can also enjoy it with noodles or alongside steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
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Coconut Basil Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Coconut Basil Chicken is a flavorful and aromatic dish featuring tender chicken tenders seared to perfection and simmered in a rich, creamy coconut milk sauce infused with garlic, turmeric, basil, and a hint of chili crisp. This quick and easy stovetop recipe balances savory, spicy, and tangy notes, making it a perfect weeknight dinner served over rice.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 1.1 pounds chicken tenders (or chicken fillets cut into strips)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
Aromatics and Sauce
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 shallot (diced)
- 1 tsp chili crisp (more to taste)
- 1 can (14 oz/400 ml) unsweetened coconut milk
- 2 tbsp fish sauce (or low sodium soy sauce)
- 1 tbsp water
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tsp honey
- ½ lime (juiced)
- 1 cup basil leaves (or ½ cup Thai basil)
Instructions
- Prep the aromatics and season the chicken: Dice the shallot and mince the garlic cloves finely. In a bowl, season the chicken tenders evenly with salt, black pepper, sweet paprika, garlic powder, and ground turmeric to infuse them with robust flavor.
- Make the sauce mixture: In a small cup or bowl, whisk together the fish sauce, water, cornstarch, and honey until the cornstarch is fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth, which will help thicken the sauce later.
- Sear the chicken: Heat the avocado oil in a heavy-bottomed pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange the chicken tenders in a single layer and sear them for about 3 minutes on each side until they develop a golden crust. Once seared, transfer the chicken to a clean plate and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics and build the sauce: Reduce the heat to medium, then add the diced shallot and minced garlic to the pan. Cook them gently for about 2 minutes until fragrant and softened. Stir in the chili crisp to add a spicy kick, then pour in the coconut milk and the prepared fish sauce mixture. Scrape the browned bits off the pan bottom with a wooden spoon to incorporate extra flavor, then bring the sauce to a gentle boil.
- Simmer with basil and finish: Stir in the fresh basil leaves and lime juice for bright herbal and tangy notes. Return the seared chicken tenders to the pan, ensuring they are submerged in the sauce. Let everything simmer for about 3 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and tender. Serve hot over steamed rice and enjoy the fragrant, creamy dish.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of chili crisp according to your taste preference.
- Substitute fish sauce with low sodium soy sauce to make the recipe vegetarian-friendly (use tofu instead of chicken).
- Use Thai basil if available for a more authentic flavor; regular basil works well as a substitute.
- Ensure the chicken is cooked through by checking that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- This dish pairs perfectly with steamed jasmine rice or cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southeast Asian
Keywords: Coconut Basil Chicken, coconut milk chicken, basil chicken recipe, Thai-inspired chicken, easy stovetop chicken dish, creamy chicken recipe
