TL;DR: This Thai Basil Chicken Meal Prep is a fast, high-protein lunch made with ground chicken, Thai basil, garlic, shallots, chilis, coconut aminos, honey, and fish sauce. It stores well for up to 4 days, freezes well, and reheats quickly for an easy takeout-inspired meal prep.
When I want something that tastes like takeout but still fits into a simple weekly meal prep routine, Thai Basil Chicken Meal Prep is one of my favorite go-to lunches. It has that sweet, savory, spicy, and herby flavor combo that makes Thai food so good, but it comes together fast enough for a busy weeknight.
This recipe is inspired by Thai basil chicken and has some of the bright, punchy flavors people love in Thai larb-style dishes, although it is not a traditional larb. The chicken cooks quickly in a skillet with shallots, garlic, Thai bird chilis, coconut aminos, honey, fish sauce, and fresh Thai basil.
I like serving it over rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice, or another whole grain with steamed vegetables on the side. It's a great option for Lunch Meal Prep Recipes because it reheats well and keeps the week simple.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Freezer friendly: This is a helpful recipe to make ahead and freeze for future meals.
- Fast and meal prep friendly: The chicken cooks quickly, making this a great recipe when you want lunches ready without spending hours in the kitchen.
- High in protein: Ground or minced chicken breast keeps this meal filling and balanced.
- Big flavor, simple ingredients: Garlic, shallots, chilis, basil, coconut aminos, and fish sauce do most of the heavy lifting.
- Easy to customize: Serve it with rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice, or extra vegetables.
Summarize this Recipe or Get Macros
Ingredients
For the Thai Basil Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breast, minced, or ground chicken
- 3 tablespoons sesame oil
- ¼ cup Thai shallots, minced
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 2 to 3 Thai bird chilis, minced, or sriracha chili sauce to taste
- ½ cup coconut aminos
- 3 tablespoons honey or date syrup
- 1 to 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon arrowroot powder
- 2 cups fresh Thai basil leaves, sometimes labeled holy basil
For Serving
- Lime wedges, optional
- Steamed white rice, brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice
- Steamed or sautéed vegetables
- Extra basil, if desired
How to Make Thai Basil Chicken Meal Prep
Step 1: Infuse the Oil
Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the minced shallots, garlic, and Thai bird chilis.
Stir fry for about 2 minutes, just until the shallots soften and the oil starts to smell fragrant. This step builds the base of the recipe, so don't rush it too much.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Add the minced chicken breast or ground chicken to the skillet.
Break it apart with a spatula while it cooks. Keep the heat high and continue stirring so the chicken browns lightly and cooks evenly.
Step 3: Add the Sauce
Add the coconut aminos, honey, and fish sauce to the skillet. Stir everything together until the chicken is coated.
The coconut aminos bring a savory-sweet flavor, the honey adds balance, and the fish sauce adds depth. If you're new to fish sauce, start with 1 tablespoon and add more if you like a stronger flavor.
Step 4: Thicken and Deglaze
In a small bowl, stir the chicken broth and arrowroot powder together. It may not fully combine at first, and that's okay.
Once most of the liquid in the skillet has evaporated, push the chicken to the edges of the pan. Pour the broth and arrowroot mixture into the center.
Scrape the bottom of the skillet to lift up the flavorful bits, then stir everything together until the sauce lightly thickens and coats the chicken.
Step 5: Add the Thai Basil
Add the whole Thai basil leaves to the skillet and stir fry for about 30 seconds, just until wilted.
Thai basil has a slightly peppery, licorice-like flavor that makes this dish stand out. I like adding it right at the end so it stays fresh and vibrant.
Step 6: Portion for Meal Prep
Divide cooked rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice into 4 meal prep containers. Add the Thai basil chicken on top, then add steamed vegetables if you're using them.
Let the food cool slightly before sealing your containers and storing them in the fridge.
How to Store This Meal Prep
When properly stored, Thai basil chicken will last up to 4 days in the fridge.
For the best texture and freshness, store it in shallow airtight meal prep containers. I recommend letting the chicken cool before sealing the containers so excess steam doesn't create soggy rice or vegetables.
If you're packing this for work, keep it refrigerated until you're ready to reheat.
Best Way to Reheat Thai Basil Chicken
Microwave
Microwave each portion for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Add a splash of broth or water if the chicken or rice looks dry.
Stovetop
Warm the chicken in a skillet over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes. Add a small splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce.
From Frozen
Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the microwave or skillet. You can also microwave from frozen, but the texture is better when thawed first.
More Thai meal prep recipes:
- Thai Red Curry Chicken
- Tasty Thai Chili Garlic "Noodles"
- Thai Yellow Curry Meal Prep
- Thai Chili Tofu Sheet Pan Meal Prep
- Thai Sweet Chili Pork Tenderloin Meal Prep
- Gluten Free Thai Peanut Stir Fry Meal Prep
- 10 Minute Pad Thai Zoodles
- 20 Minute Paleo Thai Almond Butter Turkey Meatballs
- Here's A 4 Ingredient Pineapple Thai Turkey Meatball Meal Prep That Will Bring Tons Of Flavor To Your Lunch
Helpful Tips and Ingredient Swaps
Use Ground Chicken to Save Time
Minced chicken breast works great, but ground chicken is the fastest option. It cooks quickly and is easy to portion.
Adjust the Spice Level
Thai bird chilis are spicy. Use 1 chili for mild heat, 2 for medium, and 3 if you like it hot.
You can also swap in sriracha chili sauce if that's what you have.
Swap the Sweetener
Honey works well, but date syrup is another good option. Both help balance the salty and spicy flavors.
Try Different Bases
This chicken works with:
- White rice
- Brown rice
- Quinoa
- Cilantro lime cauliflower rice
- Stir-fried cabbage
- Zucchini noodles
Add More Vegetables
Steamed broccoli, green beans, snap peas, bell peppers, carrots, or bok choy all pair well with this meal.
Slice Basil the Easy Way
If you want to chop the basil instead of leaving the leaves whole, stack a few leaves, roll them tightly, and slice them into thin ribbons.
FAQs
Not exactly. Thai larb is usually a minced meat salad with lime juice, herbs, fish sauce, and toasted rice powder. This recipe is more like Thai basil chicken, cooked in a skillet with a sweet-savory sauce and fresh basil.
It has some of the same bright, bold Thai-inspired flavors, but it is not a traditional larb.
Yes. Coconut aminos are usually gluten-free, but always check the label. Fish sauce is often gluten-free too, but brands can vary.
For more gluten-free meal prep ideas, check out the Gluten-Free Recipes section.
The best way to reheat Thai basil chicken is in the microwave with a splash of broth or water. Stir halfway through so the chicken heats evenly.
For the best texture, reheat the chicken and rice together, then add fresh herbs or lime after heating.
Yes, but the flavor will be different. Thai basil has a stronger, slightly peppery flavor, while regular basil is sweeter and softer.
If regular basil is all you have, it will still make a tasty meal.
Final Thoughts
This Thai Basil Chicken Meal Prep is one of those recipes that proves meal prep doesn't have to be boring or complicated. With a hot skillet, a simple sauce, fresh basil, and a few containers, you can set yourself up with lunches that feel fresh, flavorful, and easy to look forward to.
The biggest win here is that it helps remove one more decision from your week. Future you will be glad lunch is already handled.
If you love this recipe, check out the Workweek Lunch Meal Planner to make healthy meal prep simple and stress-free all week long.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds Chicken Breast
- 3 tbs sesame oil
- ¼ cup Thai shallots
- 2 tbs Minced Garlic
- 2-3 Thai Bird Chilis
- ½ cup Coconut Aminos
- 3 tbs Honey
- 1-2 tbs fish sauce
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon arrowroot
- 2 cups fresh Thai Basil
Instructions
- Add sesame oil to a skillet on high heat. Add shallots, garlic, and chilis, and stir fry for 2 minutes to soften and infuse the oil with their flavors.
- Add the chicken, and break up, continuing to stir fry on high heat.
- Add the coconut aminos, honey, and fish sauce, and stir to combine.
- In a small bowl, Add arrowroot powder to the chicken broth and stir (don't worry about it combining - it will combine when heated in the pan).
- When most of the liquid in the pan has evaporated, push the chicken to the edge of the pan, and deglaze the pan with the chicken broth-arrowroot mix (meaning, scrape the flavorful coating off the bottom of the pan. Stir quickly to mix together the sauce, and then coat the chicken with the sauce.
- Add the whole basil leaves, and stir fry for about 30 seconds to allow them to wilt.
- Serve over rice or other whole grain, with steamed vegetables, if desired.
Jaime Johnson says
Is the rice and broccoli included in the macros?
Sarah Kesseli says
Hi Jaime, The macros do not include the optional sides.