If you are looking for a vibrant, flavorful dish that comes together in a flash, you are going to absolutely love this 25 Minute Black Pepper Jalapeño Basil Chicken Stir Fry Recipe. It’s a fantastic blend of spicy, sweet, and aromatic notes all packed into tender chicken and crisp vegetables, giving you a stir fry that’s as exciting to eat as it is quick to prepare. Perfect for a busy weeknight or anytime you crave something fresh and colorful, this recipe sings with the brightness of fresh basil and a lively kick of jalapeño, balanced beautifully by the warmth of black pepper. Trust me, once you try it, this will become a staple in your cooking rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully simple but essential to building layers of flavor, texture, and color in your stir fry. Each one plays a key role, from tender chicken to the fresh heat of jalapeños and the fragrant basil that makes this dish truly memorable.
- Chicken thighs or breasts (1 1/2 pounds): Thinly sliced to ensure quick cooking and juicy bites.
- Cornstarch (1 tablespoon): Creates a light coating on the chicken that helps thicken the sauce.
- Ground turmeric (1 teaspoon): Adds a subtle earthiness and vibrant golden color.
- Ground ginger (1 teaspoon): Brings a warm, slightly spicy brightness.
- Black pepper (1-2 teaspoons): The star seasoning delivering bold, sharp heat to the plate.
- Sesame oil or extra virgin olive oil (3 tablespoons): Provides a toasty, nutty foundation for stir frying.
- Low sodium soy sauce (1/3 cup): Gives the dish umami depth without overpowering saltiness.
- Honey (1/4 cup): Adds natural sweetness to balance the spice.
- Rice vinegar (2 tablespoons): Brings a mild tang that brightens the overall flavor.
- Fish sauce (1 tablespoon, optional): For those who love savory complexity, it deepens the flavor without fishiness.
- Bell peppers (2, sliced): Add crunch and a pop of color for a beautiful presentation.
- Jalapeños (1-2, seeded if desired): Offering a fresh and lively kick that excites the palate.
- Shallot (1 medium, sliced): Sweet and mild, it rounds out the flavor profile nicely.
- Fresh Thai or regular basil (1 cup, chopped): This herb brings a fragrant, slightly spicy freshness that makes this stir fry unforgettable.
How to Make 25 Minute Black Pepper Jalapeño Basil Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Chicken Marinade
The magic begins by tossing your thinly sliced chicken with cornstarch, turmeric, ground ginger, and black pepper. This simple seasoning mix does more than flavor the meat — the cornstarch helps lock in moisture and gives the chicken a lovely velvety texture once cooked. Setting this mixture aside lets the flavors marry while you prepare your sauce.
Step 2: Mix the Sauce
Next, combine honey, low sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, fish sauce if you’re using it, and a splash of water in a jar or small bowl. This blend will become the sticky, rich sauce coating your stir fry, balancing sweet, salty, and tangy notes with a subtle depth from the fish sauce. Keep this nearby for when it’s time to bring everything together.
Step 3: Sauté the Veggies
Heat your sesame or olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add your sliced bell peppers, jalapeños, and shallots. Let these cook for a few minutes until the peppers begin to char just slightly. This charring adds a gorgeous smoky undertone and keeps the vegetables crisp-tender, perfect for layering flavor and texture.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken
Stir your chicken mixture into the skillet with the vibrant vegetables and toss everything together. The chicken will start cooking quickly against that hot oil, coating itself with the spices, and mingling with the aromatic peppers and shallots. Give it about 2 minutes to get some color and begin sealing in juices.
Step 5: Add the Sauce and Simmer
Pour in the honey-soy sauce combination you prepared earlier. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat and let it cook until the sauce thickens and clings perfectly to every bite of chicken and veggie — this should take about 8 to 10 minutes. This simmering step intensifies the flavors and creates that irresistible glaze that makes the 25 Minute Black Pepper Jalapeño Basil Chicken Stir Fry Recipe so darn good.
Step 6: Finish with Fresh Basil
Remove the skillet from heat and gently fold in the chopped basil. The residual warmth will release the basil’s fragrant oils without cooking away its bright, fresh flavor, rounding out the dish with an herbal lift that’s utterly mouthwatering.
How to Serve 25 Minute Black Pepper Jalapeño Basil Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
Garnishes
For a final touch, sprinkle extra fresh basil leaves on top just before serving. If you love a bit more heat, some thinly sliced fresh jalapeños make a beautiful garnish that adds a fresh kick. A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds also adds a nice nutty crunch that complements the stir fry perfectly.
Side Dishes
This stir fry is fantastic served over coconut lemongrass rice, which subtly complements the spicy and herbal flavors. You can also enjoy it with steamed jasmine rice, brown rice for a nuttier texture, or even quinoa if you want to boost the protein content. Lightly steamed or stir-fried greens such as bok choy or snap peas also pair beautifully for a well-rounded meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider serving the stir fry in individual shallow bowls with a sprinkle of fresh basil and jalapeño slices for visual appeal. Alternatively, wrap the chicken and veggies in large lettuce leaves for a fun, handheld twist that’s perfect for casual dinners. You can even toss the stir fry with cooked noodles for an equally delicious variation that’s perfect for lunch or dinner.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover chicken stir fry in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 3 days. To keep flavors fresh, avoid mixing in extra fresh basil until reheating or serving again.
Freezing
You can freeze the stir fry, but note that the texture of the vegetables may soften after thawing. Pack your cooled leftovers into a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened too much. Stir in fresh basil after reheating to revive that fresh, aromatic flavor. Avoid microwaving for best texture and flavor retention.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts work just as well in this recipe if sliced thinly. They cook quickly and provide a leaner option, though thighs offer a bit more juiciness and flavor.
How spicy is this stir fry?
The spiciness depends on your jalapeño quantity and whether you include the seeds. For a milder dish, remove all seeds and use just one jalapeño, or skip them entirely. For more heat, add extra jalapeños or a pinch of crushed red pepper.
What if I don’t have fish sauce?
Fish sauce adds savory depth but is optional. If you don’t have it or prefer not to use it, simply omit it and increase the soy sauce slightly to maintain the flavor balance.
Can I substitute Thai basil with regular basil?
Yes, you can use regular sweet basil if Thai basil isn’t available. It will have a milder flavor but still adds a lovely herbal freshness to the dish.
Is there a gluten-free version of this recipe?
Definitely. Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari in place of regular soy sauce. Ensure any other ingredients you add are also gluten-free to keep the dish safe for gluten-sensitive eaters.
Final Thoughts
This 25 Minute Black Pepper Jalapeño Basil Chicken Stir Fry Recipe is a shining example of how a handful of fresh ingredients and simple steps come together to create an unforgettable meal. It’s quick, vibrant, and bursting with flavor—just the way weeknight dinners should be. I can’t wait for you to try it and see how easily this dish becomes a favorite in your home, bringing a little spice and brightness to your dinner table any day of the week.
Print25 Minute Black Pepper Jalapeño Basil Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
This vibrant 25 Minute Black Pepper Jalapeño Basil Chicken Stir Fry combines tender chicken thighs with a bold mix of spices, sweet honey, and aromatic Thai basil. Quick to prepare and bursting with flavor, this stir fry features a perfect balance of heat from jalapeños and pepper, sweetness from honey, and a fragrant finish from fresh basil, making it an ideal weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1–2 teaspoons black pepper
Sauce
- 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce (optional)
- 1/4 cup water
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 3 tablespoons sesame oil or extra virgin olive oil
- 2 bell peppers, sliced
- 1–2 jalapeños, seeded if desired, and sliced
- 1 medium shallot, sliced
- 1 cup fresh Thai or regular basil, chopped
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, toss together the thinly sliced chicken thighs or breasts with cornstarch, ground turmeric, ground ginger, and black pepper until well coated. This step helps tenderize the chicken and infuse it with flavor.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a glass jar or small bowl, combine honey, low sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, fish sauce (if using), and 1/4 cup water. Mix well and set aside to be added later during cooking.
- Cook the Vegetables: Heat the sesame oil or extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced bell peppers, jalapeños, and shallots. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peppers start to char slightly and soften, releasing their flavors.
- Cook the Chicken: Stir in the marinated chicken with the vegetables, tossing to combine well. Cook for about 2 minutes until the chicken begins to brown.
- Add the Sauce and Simmer: Pour the prepared honey-soy sauce mixture into the skillet. Increase heat to bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce slightly and let it simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken and vegetables nicely, about 8-10 minutes.
- Finish with Basil: Remove the skillet from heat and immediately stir in the chopped fresh Thai or regular basil. The residual heat will wilt the basil and release its aromatic oils, adding a fragrant, fresh flavor to the dish.
- Serve: Serve the chicken stir fry hot over bowls of coconut lemongrass rice (recipe noted below). Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves for an extra herbaceous touch.
Notes
- For a milder dish, seed the jalapeños before slicing to reduce heat.
- Use chicken thighs for more succulent, flavorful results, but breasts can be substituted for a leaner option.
- If fish sauce is not available or preferred, simply omit or replace with a splash of soy sauce.
- Serve with coconut lemongrass rice to complement and balance the spicy and sweet flavors of the stir fry.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in a skillet or microwave.
