Let’s be honest, figuring out what to make for dinner after a long day can feel like a huge challenge. You want something delicious and satisfying, but the thought of spending an hour in the kitchen is just too much. If this sounds familiar, I have some great news for you. This Spicy Thai Chicken Stir Fry is one of those amazing quick and easy dinner recipes that will save your weeknights.
This dish is all about big flavor in a small amount of time. We are talking about a meal that comes together in about 15 minutes flat. Seriously. It is faster than ordering takeout and so much more rewarding. It’s a wonderful entry point into cooking Thai food at home, offering a burst of savory, spicy, and slightly sweet notes that are completely delightful.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, the speed is a major win. When we talk about quick dinner ideas, this recipe is at the top of the list. From the moment you start chopping to the second it hits the plate, you are looking at about 15 minutes. This makes it a fantastic choice for those evenings when you are short on time but still want a proper homemade meal.
The flavor is simply incredible. The sauce is a beautiful balance of salty, sweet, and savory tastes that are characteristic of Thai cuisine. It coats the ground chicken perfectly, and the fresh garlic, chili, and cilantro bring so much brightness and aroma. It tastes like something you would get at a great restaurant.
It’s also an incredibly straightforward recipe. You don’t need any special cooking skills to make this. If you can chop a few ingredients and stir things in a pan, you can make this dish successfully. It is one of the best easy food recipes for anyone just starting their cooking journey or for seasoned cooks who just want a simple night.
Another great thing is its versatility. While the recipe calls for ground chicken, you can easily swap it for ground turkey, beef, or even pork. This flexibility means you can adapt it based on what you have on hand or what your family prefers. It’s an adaptable template for a delicious meal.
Finally, this is one of those easy supper recipes that feels both comforting and light. Served over fluffy jasmine rice, it’s a complete meal that will leave you feeling satisfied but not overly full. You can also customize it to make it an easy healthy dinner by serving it over cauliflower rice or with a side of steamed vegetables.
Ingredients
Before you get started, let’s talk about the ingredients. They are simple, and you can find most of them at your local grocery store. Having everything ready to go is key for quick and easy dinner recipes like this one.
For The Sauce
- 2 tsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
The sauce is the heart of this dish. Light soy sauce provides the primary saltiness, while dark soy sauce adds a beautiful brown color and a deeper, less salty flavor. Fish sauce is a staple in Southeast Asian cooking, bringing a unique savory depth. Don’t be afraid of it! Oyster sauce gives the sauce body and a savory sweetness that is hard to replace.
For The Stir Fry
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- 3 Thai or bird’s eye chilies, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 small onion, halved and sliced
- 500 g / 1 lb ground chicken
- 3 shallot / scallion stems, chopped
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- Steamed jasmine rice, for serving
For the oil, a neutral one with a high smoke point like peanut or vegetable oil works best. The fresh chilies and garlic create the aromatic base. Ground chicken is fantastic because it cooks so fast, but feel free to experiment. The fresh herbs at the end, scallions and cilantro, add a final pop of freshness that brings everything together.
Step By Step Instructions
This process moves very quickly, so make sure you have all your ingredients chopped and measured before you even think about turning on the stove. This is the secret to a stress free stir fry experience.
Step 1: Mix The Sauce
In a small bowl, combine the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Give it a good stir until the sugar is mostly dissolved. Set this bowl right next to your stove. You will need it in a hurry later!
Step 2: Start The Aromatics
Place a wok or a large, heavy skillet over high heat. Let it get really hot. You will know it is ready when you see a tiny wisp of smoke. Add the oil, and let it heat up for a few seconds. Now, add your finely chopped garlic and chilies. Stir them constantly for about 15 seconds. You just want to release their fragrance, not burn them.
Step 3: Cook The Onion And Chicken
Toss in the sliced onion and cook for about 45 seconds, stirring a few times. The goal is to soften it slightly, not to fully caramelize it. Next, add the ground chicken to the pan. Use your spoon or spatula to break it up into smaller pieces as it cooks. Keep moving it around the pan.
Step 4: Add The Sauce
Once the chicken has changed from pink to white, pour the sauce mixture all over it. Continue to cook and stir, allowing the sauce to bubble and thicken. This should take about two minutes. You want the sauce to coat the chicken nicely and for most of the liquid to be absorbed or evaporated.
Step 5: Finish And Serve
Turn off the heat. Stir in the chopped shallots, followed immediately by the fresh cilantro leaves. The residual heat will wilt them slightly. That’s it! Serve your delicious stir fry right away over a bed of steamed jasmine rice. This is truly one of the most satisfying quick dinner ideas you can make.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, they are fantastic the next day. Allow the stir fry to cool down to room temperature completely. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and tasty for up to three days.
To reheat, you can microwave it in 30 second bursts until warm. Or, for a better texture, briefly heat it in a skillet over medium heat with a tiny splash of water to keep it from drying out. Leftovers are great for a quick lunch, making this one of those easy food recipes that keeps on giving.
Tips
Here are a few extra pointers to make your cooking experience even smoother. Following these will help you nail many quick and easy dinner recipes, not just this one.
First, preparation is everything. This concept is called ‘mise en place’ in professional kitchens. It just means having everything prepped and ready before you start cooking. For a stir fry that cooks in minutes, this is not just a suggestion, it’s essential. Chop your veggies, mix your sauce, and have everything within arm’s reach.
Second, control the heat. This recipe uses high heat to cook everything fast. Make sure your pan is hot before you add anything. A hot pan ensures the chicken sears rather than steams, giving you a much better flavor and texture. Don’t be afraid to keep the flame high.
Third, feel free to adjust the spice level. Three bird’s eye chilies will give it a nice, moderate kick. If you love heat, add another. If you prefer it mild, use just one or even half. You can also remove the seeds from the chilies to tame the spice a bit. You are in control!
Finally, a note on serving. The traditional Thai way to serve a dish like this is with fresh cucumber slices and tomato wedges on the side. They provide a cool, refreshing contrast to the spicy, savory chicken. It’s a simple addition that makes the meal feel more complete and authentic.
Conclusion
There you have it, a wonderfully flavorful and fast meal that is perfect for any night of the week. This Spicy Thai Chicken Stir Fry proves that quick and easy dinner recipes don’t have to be boring or bland. With just a handful of ingredients and 15 minutes, you can create a dish that is packed with authentic flavor.
This is more than just a recipe; it’s a template for countless easy supper recipes. I hope this becomes a new favorite in your home. It’s a great way to bring some excitement to your dinner routine without adding any stress. Give it a try, and enjoy your delicious homemade meal!
FAQ
Can I Use A Different Protein?
Absolutely. This recipe is fantastic with ground beef, ground turkey, or ground pork. You could also use thinly sliced chicken breast or thigh, but you might need to increase the sauce amount by about 50 percent to ensure everything gets well coated.
I Don’t Have A Wok, What Can I Use?
No problem at all. A large, heavy bottomed skillet or frying pan will work just fine. The key is to use a pan that is large enough so you don’t overcrowd it, which can cause the ingredients to steam instead of stir fry. Make sure it gets nice and hot.
Is This Recipe Gluten Free?
As written, it is not gluten free due to the soy and oyster sauces. However, you can easily make it gluten free! Simply substitute the soy sauces with tamari or a gluten free soy sauce. You will also need to find a gluten free oyster sauce, which is available in many stores or online.
How Can I Make This Less Spicy?
To reduce the spice, simply use fewer chilies. You can start with one chili, or even half of one, and taste. Remember to remove the seeds, as that’s where much of the heat is concentrated. You can also use a milder chili or a pinch of red pepper flakes for more controlled heat.
What Other Vegetables Can I Add?
This is a great base for adding more vegetables and turning it into a complete easy healthy dinner. Thinly sliced bell peppers, broccoli florets, or shredded carrots would be wonderful additions. Add harder vegetables like broccoli and carrots along with the onion. Add softer vegetables like bell peppers a minute or so after the onion.
Spicy Thai Chicken Stir Fry
This Spicy Thai Chicken Stir Fry is a quick and easy dinner recipe that will save your weeknights. It’s all about big flavor in a small amount of time, coming together in about 15 minutes flat. Faster than takeout and incredibly rewarding, it offers a burst of savory, spicy, and slightly sweet notes.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Stir until the sugar is mostly dissolved. Set this bowl next to your stove.
- Place a wok or a large, heavy skillet over high heat. Let it get really hot. Add the cooking oil, and let it heat up for a few seconds. Now, add your finely chopped garlic and chilies. Stir them constantly for about 15 seconds to release their fragrance.
- Toss in the sliced onion and cook for about 45 seconds, stirring occasionally, to soften it slightly. Add the ground chicken to the pan. Use your spoon or spatula to break it up into smaller pieces as it cooks. Keep moving it around the pan.
- Once the chicken has changed from pink to white, pour the sauce mixture all over it. Continue to cook and stir, allowing the sauce to bubble and thicken. This should take about two minutes, until the sauce coats the chicken nicely.
- Turn off the heat. Stir in the chopped shallots/scallions, followed immediately by the fresh cilantro leaves. The residual heat will wilt them slightly. Serve your delicious stir fry right away over a bed of steamed jasmine rice.
Notes
If you happen to have any leftovers, they are fantastic the next day. Allow the stir fry to cool down to room temperature completely. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and tasty for up to three days.
Preparation is everything. This concept is called ‘mise en place’ in professional kitchens. It just means having everything prepped and ready before you start cooking. For a stir fry that cooks in minutes, this is essential. Chop your veggies, mix your sauce, and have everything within arm’s reach.
Control the heat. This recipe uses high heat to cook everything fast. Make sure your pan is hot before you add anything. A hot pan ensures the chicken sears rather than steams, giving you a much better flavor and texture. Don’t be afraid to keep the flame high.
Feel free to adjust the spice level. Three bird’s eye chilies will give it a nice, moderate kick. If you love heat, add another. If you prefer it mild, use just one or even half. You can also remove the seeds from the chilies to tame the spice a bit. You are in control!
The traditional Thai way to serve a dish like this is with fresh cucumber slices and tomato wedges on the side. They provide a cool, refreshing contrast to the spicy, savory chicken. It’s a simple addition that makes the meal feel more complete and authentic.
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