Juicy Chicken with Garlic and Basil

Juicy Chicken with Garlic and Basil – step-by-step recipe with photo, main dishes
Rating: 4 Votes: 1
Cooking Time:
1 hour
 Recipe Yield:
4 servings
 Difficulty:
Medium recipe
 Calories:
222 kcal

Juicy chicken with garlic and basil – quite an interesting recipe for cooking chicken thighs. The recipe uses rice wine, but if you do not want to use wine, it can be replaced with regular water. Of course, frying in sesame oil is much tastier, but it can also be replaced with regular vegetable oil.

Ingredients for Juicy Chicken with Garlic and Basil

Ginger 22 g
Garlic 10 cloves
Hot Pepper 1 pcs
Basil 5-6 twigs
Soy Sauce 2,5 tsp
Sugar 1,5 tsp
Rice Wine 0,5 cups
For Marinating
Soy Sauce 4,5 tsp
Sugar 1,5 tsp
White Pepper 0,25 tsp
Cornstarch 3 tsp
Rice Wine 2 tsp
Sesame Oil 1/3 cups

How to Cook Juicy Chicken with Garlic and Basil

Preparing and Marinating the Chicken Thighs

Preparing and Marinating the Chicken Thighs

Remove the skin and bone from the thighs. Cut the meat into small pieces of equal size to ensure even cooking. Add soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, ground white pepper, cornstarch, and rice wine. If necessary, replace the wine with water. Mix thoroughly and leave to marinate for 10-15 minutes so the meat absorbs the aroma and becomes more tender.

Frying the Chicken with Ginger

Frying the Chicken with Ginger

Place the pan over high heat and pour in the sesame oil. When the oil is well heated, add thinly sliced ginger. After briefly frying the ginger, add the chicken pieces and fry on all sides until golden brown to keep the inside juicy.

Adding Garlic and Pepper

Adding Garlic and Pepper

Add chopped garlic and sliced hot pepper to the chicken. Stir and fry for 1-2 minutes so the spices release their aroma. At this stage, the rich flavor profile of the dish is formed.

Braising and Finishing the Cooking

Braising and Finishing the Cooking

Add soy sauce and sugar, stir. Pour in the rice wine and cook without a lid for 2-3 minutes so the alcohol evaporates. Then cover with a lid and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the meat is fully cooked. Remove from the heat, add basil leaves and stir so they release their aroma into the warm dish.

Tips for Juicy Chicken with Garlic and Basil

  • To keep the chicken juicy, do not overcook it over high heat after a golden crust appears. Excessive frying can lead to moisture loss. Short intense frying allows you to quickly seal the surface of the pieces and keep a tender texture inside.

  • Cornstarch in the marinade performs two functions at once: it softens the meat fibers and helps form a light sauce during cooking. Mix the marinade ingredients thoroughly so the cornstarch is evenly distributed and does not form lumps.

  • Add the basil leaves at the end of cooking when the dish has already been removed from the heat. Prolonged heating destroys the essential oils of basil, making the aroma less pronounced. A short contact with the hot chicken helps preserve the fresh herbal note.

Frequently Asked Questions About Juicy Chicken with Garlic and Basil

Sesame oil gives a characteristic nutty aroma; however, it can be replaced with refined vegetable oil. The flavor will be less pronounced, but the texture and cooking technique will remain unchanged.

Rice wine adds a light acidity and depth of flavor. If it is not available, it may be replaced with water or a small amount of broth. The alcohol evaporates during cooking, leaving only the aroma.

Determine doneness by the absence of a pink shade inside the pieces and clear juice released when pierced. The pieces should be tender but springy, without excessive dryness.
Main Dishes