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    Home » Keto Dinner Ideas » Keto Thai Basil Chicken

    Published: Jul 19, 2021 · Modified: Aug 17, 2021 by Carolyn

    Keto Thai Basil Chicken

    This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    2.4K shares
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    Thai basil chicken is an easy chicken stir fry with a classic Thai flavor. Served it in lettuce wraps or over cauliflower rice, it’s one of our favorite easy keto dinner recipes. It takes only 20 minutes to make, start to finish!

    Titled image of Keto Thai Basil Chicken in a cast iron pan.

    I am a Thai food addict and I know I am not alone. It’s one of the most popular takeout cuisines and with good reason. Every dish simply explodes with that unique spicy umami flavor.

    I have a number of Thai-inspired recipes, including keto pad thai, Thai chicken soup, and Thai Cucumber Salad. All of them are recipes we make again and again.

    I actually created this recipe for keto Thai basil chicken back in 2014, and I served it in lettuce wraps. I hadn’t thought about it in quite some time but was recently inspired to make it again.

    And then I had the classic reaction that I so often have: “Dang, this is so good, why don’t I make it more often???”. You’ll be asking yourself the very same thing!

    Close up shot of Thai basil and Thai bird's eye chilies on a marble table.

    What is Thai basil chicken?

    Thai basil chicken is a classic dish that is served in many Thai restaurants. It’s quick to prepare and packs a spicy punch. It’s official name in Thai is pad kra pao gai.

    The traditional version uses Thai holy basil, rather than the regular Italian-style basil we see in most grocery stores. But Thai holy basil isn’t always easy to come by, so many recipes substitute Thai sweet basil instead.

    Since I am neither Thai nor that well versed in traditional Thai cuisine, I refer you to this article from Eating Thai Food, which explains the traditional method of preparing Thai Basil Chicken.

    For this keto recipe, I modified the approach in several ways. I used whatever Thai basil my local store had, which was likely the sweet variety. I also used gluten-free tamari in place of the oyster sauce and soy sauce, and tossed in some chopped red pepper for color.

    And I skipped the sugar altogether because this dish is so flavorful, it doesn’t need it!

    Top down image of Thai basil chicken in a cast iron pan, beside some Thai basil and Thai chiles.

    How to make keto Thai basil chicken

    1. Prep your ingredients. Mince the garlic and shallots, crush the chilies (a mortar and pestle works well), and chop the chicken thighs. Stir fries like this cook quickly so you want all of your ingredients close at hand, ready to go.
    2. Heat the oil. Get it nice and hot!
    3. Add the seasonings. The garlic, shallot, and chilies go in first and are cooked only until fragrant.
    4. Stir fry the chicken. Making a stir fry means standing by, stirring almost constantly, so that the food cooks evenly. As long as you cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, it will be done in less than 10 minutes.
    5. Add the sauces. Fish sauce is a staple of Thai cooking, as is soy sauce, and they give the recipe the umami flavor.
    6. Stir in the basil. Basil leaves cook very quickly so you want to add them at the very end, and cook until they are just wilted.
    7. Serve immediately. We like it in lettuce wraps but it’s delicious over cauliflower rice too.
    Thai basil chicken in lettuce wraps in a black bowl.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    I can’t find Thai basil, what can I use?

    While it won’t be exactly the same, you can use conventional basil in this dish. I recommend chopping it, because the leaves are much larger than the Thai variety. Chopping it will give you better distribution.

    What are Thai chiles and what can you sub for them?

    Thai chiles, also known as bird’s eye chiles, are thin, red, and extremely spicy. I usually use the dried variety because they are easier to come by. If you can’t find any, try using one fresh jalapeno, finely minced, and red pepper flakes to taste.

    Can you cook Thai basil chicken in a wok?

    Absolutely! I just don’t happen to own one and find that a large skillet works just as well.

    Can you replace the tamari or soy sauce with coconut aminos?

    You can, but I want to point out that coconut aminos actually has more carbs than soy sauce. It also lacks the strong umami flavor so the dish won’t be quite as good.

    Can you make Thai basil chicken in advance?

    You could, but as with all stir fries, it’s going to be best made fresh. The leftovers do make a lovely lunch the next day, though.

    Thai basil chicken in a cast iron serving dish, in front of a bowl of lettuce cups.

    More keto takeout favorites

    • Easy Keto Chicken Fajitas
    • Air Fryer Lamb Kofta
    • Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef
    • Keto Mexican Shredded Beef
    • Copycat In-N-Out Burger
    • Costco Chicken Bake
    Top down image of Thai basil chicken in a cast iron pan, beside some Thai basil and Thai chiles.

    Keto Thai Basil Chicken

    Thai basil chicken is an easy chicken stir fry with a classic Thai flavor. Served it in lettuce wraps or over cauliflower rice, it's one of our favorite easy keto dinner recipes. It takes only 20 minutes to make, start to finish!
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Thai
    Keyword: thai basil chicken
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 416kcal

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoon coconut oil
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 shallots minced
    • 3 to 4 dried Thai chiles, crushed OR ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • 1 ½ lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into ½ inch pieces
    • ½ medium red pepper chopped
    • 2 tablespoon fish sauce
    • 1 teaspoon tamari or soy sauce
    • ¼ cup Thai basil leaves packed
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper
    • Additional red pepper flakes to taste
    US Customary – Metric

    Instructions

    • Heat the oil in a large sauté pan over medium high heat. When hot, add the garlic and shallots. Cook about 1 minute, until fragrant. Add the crushed chiles and cook another 30 seconds.
    • Add chicken and red pepper, and stir-fry until the chicken is no longer pink, about 7 minutes. Stir in the fish sauce and tamari.
    • Stir in the basil and toss to combine. Cook until wilted, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and sprinkle with pepper. Adjust other seasonings to taste.
    • Serve in lettuce wraps or over cauliflower rice.
    Nutrition Facts
    Keto Thai Basil Chicken
    Amount Per Serving (1 serving = ¼ of recipe)
    Calories 416 Calories from Fat 268
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 29.8g46%
    Carbohydrates 3.1g1%
    Fiber 0.6g2%
    Protein 29.9g60%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

     

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    Nutritional Disclaimer

    Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Suzyq says

      January 19, 2023 at 5:24 pm

      5 stars
      Love this! I used shredded Brussels sprout (steamed but still crunchy) cuz I don’t care for cauliflower rice. It was so good!

      Reply
    2. Nesja Krigbaum says

      December 26, 2022 at 1:04 pm

      Hello Carolyn, just looking over this recipe. I’m wondering what happened to the peanut butter that is shown as one of the ingredients, but the recipe isn’t mentioning it?? Help? I’d like to try it. Also you mention some dark roast peanut butter from Santa Cruz which would be what?? Thank You

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        December 26, 2022 at 7:44 pm

        I am not sure where you are seeing peanut butter, as it’s never been part of Thai Basil Chicken and isn’t mentioned at all. Where is it shown as an ingredient?

        Reply
    3. Deb says

      October 13, 2022 at 9:14 pm

      5 stars
      This was the first recipe I made from Carolyn and it’s a huge hit with my husband and our little grandson! It tastes like the Thai Chicken and Basil dish that we used to order from our favorite Thai restaurant! I say “used to order” because when we crave it I can now make this and know it’s healthier for us! Thanks so much for such a great recipe!

      Reply
    4. Diane Price says

      May 25, 2022 at 10:00 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent recipe. I’m half Thai and my family was impressed with this keto version. I added broccoli and onions but the seasonings are on point. Thank you for all of your hard work.

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        May 26, 2022 at 1:16 pm

        Wow… now I feel extra good about this recipe!

        Reply
    5. Rocky says

      May 10, 2022 at 7:02 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve been following your recipes for quite some time, so I was really excited to find this Thai Basil Chicken. My husband and I have gone out to several Thai restaurants to enjoy a cheat meal, only to leave disappointed. This recipe was absolutely delicious; it did not disappoint – even considering I made it with Cauliflower rice vs jasmine! Truly one of the best ones and easy to make. This will become a staple at our dinner table!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        May 10, 2022 at 7:20 pm

        So glad it was a hit!

        Reply
    6. Rita says

      December 21, 2021 at 9:09 am

      5 stars
      I finally found Thai basil so I tried this recipe. It was very delicious according to my son and husband. No red peppers to be found so I added a whole yellow and an orange bell pepper. I used 1 and a half pounds of Costco’s packaged rotisserie chicken breast and added it after the bell peppers cooked a bit, which makes this quick dinner even quicker. I was pleasantly surprised that the small amount of liquid seasonings flavored the whole pan of chicken and peppers. Thanks!

      Reply
    7. Beth says

      August 19, 2021 at 3:05 pm

      5 stars
      This was the perfect dinner the other night! Such a great and easy dinner recipe that we absolutely enjoyed! Great flavor and I can’t believe it’s keto. Very delicious; so excited to make this again!

      Reply
    8. Natalie says

      August 19, 2021 at 1:28 pm

      5 stars
      Healthy, hearty, & so tasty!! Love basil & chicken! I love making a bunch of this & meal prepping & this is one of those meals that is perfect for it!

      Reply
    9. Lily says

      August 19, 2021 at 12:39 pm

      5 stars
      This was so good, I loved all the flavor in it! I prepared it for dinner and we could not get enough!

      Reply
    10. Sylvia says

      July 24, 2021 at 8:03 am

      I’m out the door with my shopping list for the Thai Basil Chicken! Can’t wait to try it!!

      Reply
    11. Kate says

      July 23, 2021 at 2:28 pm

      5 stars
      This was fab!! I had chicken breast on hand, so used that. I brined the cut up chicken for 30 minutes prior to cooking, and it stayed moist and tender. Next time, I’m adding more heat, but wouldn’t change a thing otherwise! Thank you for such a quick, delicious meal.

      Reply
    12. Crystal says

      July 21, 2021 at 12:52 pm

      5 stars
      I served this with cilantro lime rice and it was delicious!

      Reply
    13. Lisa says

      July 20, 2021 at 9:09 am

      5 stars
      I love Thai Basil Chicken! Thank you so much for this recipe. I am giving it 5 stars because I know it will be delicious.

      Lisa Liberty

      Reply
    14. Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says

      June 10, 2014 at 10:46 am

      I haven’t had or made lettuce wraps in a long time, and I love thai basil anything!

      Reply
    15. Arthur in the Garden! says

      June 07, 2014 at 10:43 am

      Yum! Must try these!

      Reply
    16. janet says

      June 07, 2014 at 8:33 am

      These sound great! Am always looking for recipes for summer that don’t heat up the house too much. This one will also help to give us our 2 cups of leafy greens a day. Just harvested the last of the lettuce for the season but my garden is FULL of basil. Thanks for all your work!

      Reply

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