Coconut Basil Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Bowl with Crispy Potatoes
The Coconut Basil Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Bowl with Crispy Potatoes is a vibrant and delicious dish that brings together tender chicken, fresh basil, and the rich creaminess of coconut in one bowl. Topped with perfectly crispy potatoes, this recipe is quick, fresh, and bursting with flavor, making it an easy dinner win for any night of the week. Whether you’re craving a cozy meal or something with a hint of tropical flair, this dish promises to satisfy both your taste buds and your schedule.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bold Flavor Fusion: Combines aromatic basil and garlic with creamy coconut milk for an unforgettable taste.
- Quick Prep Time: Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute meals.
- Crispy Potato Perfection: Golden, crunchy potatoes add amazing texture and satisfy carb cravings.
- One-Bowl Meal: Easy to clean up with everything cooked and served together in a lively, colorful bowl.
- Versatile and Adaptable: Simple ingredients mean you can easily swap or adjust based on what you have on hand.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Coconut Basil Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Bowl with Crispy Potatoes relies on simple but essential ingredients that build layers of flavor and texture. Each component plays a key role, from the juicy chicken to the herbaceous basil and the delightful crispiness of potatoes, ensuring a balanced and vibrant dish.
- Chicken breasts or thighs: Choose your preference for tender, protein-packed bites that soak up the sauce.
- Fresh basil leaves: Adds an aromatic, slightly sweet, peppery note that brightens the entire bowl.
- Garlic cloves: Minced fresh garlic provides that essential punch of savory depth.
- Coconut milk: Creamy and rich, it coats the chicken with luscious tropical flavor.
- Yukon Gold or baby potatoes: Small or chopped potatoes that crisp beautifully when pan-fried or roasted.
- Green onions: Adds a mild, fresh crunch and a pop of color to every bite.
- Soy sauce or tamari: For a salty umami base that balances the creaminess and herbs.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): For a gentle spicy kick that wakes up the flavor.
- Olive oil or coconut oil: Used for frying potatoes and sautéing the chicken with a subtle hint of richness.
- Lime juice: A squeeze at the end lifts the dish with bright acidity and freshness.
Variations for Coconut Basil Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Bowl with Crispy Potatoes
Feel free to customize this Coconut Basil Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Bowl with Crispy Potatoes to suit your tastes or dietary needs. It’s easy to swap ingredients without losing the essence of the dish, making it perfect for creative cooks and those with limited pantry options.
- Vegetarian-friendly version: Use firm tofu or tempeh instead of chicken for an equally satisfying plant-based bowl.
- Extra veggies: Add bell peppers, snap peas, or broccoli florets to boost nutrition and color.
- Spice it up: Increase chili flakes or add fresh chopped chilies if you love heat.
- Low-carb alternative: Swap crispy potatoes for cauliflower rice or spiralized zucchini noodles.
- Coconut cream swap: Use coconut cream instead of milk for a richer, thicker sauce.

How to Make Coconut Basil Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Bowl with Crispy Potatoes
Step 1: Prepare the Crispy Potatoes
Wash and chop your potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and add potatoes, cooking without stirring for a few minutes to develop a golden crust. Once golden and crispy on one side, toss to crisp the other sides. Remove and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
In the same skillet, add a little extra oil if needed, then add sliced chicken pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté until chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
Step 3: Add Garlic and Basil
Add minced garlic to the chicken and stir for one minute until fragrant. Then toss the fresh basil leaves in, letting them wilt slightly to release their aroma.
Step 4: Pour in Coconut Milk
Pour coconut milk over the chicken mixture and stir to combine. Let it simmer gently until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
Step 5: Combine and Season
Return the crispy potatoes to the pan and toss everything together. Add soy sauce and a squeeze of lime juice to balance flavors. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes as desired.
Step 6: Serve Warm
Transfer to bowls and garnish with chopped green onions. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Pro Tips for Making Coconut Basil Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Bowl with Crispy Potatoes
- Use room temperature chicken: Helps it cook evenly and retain juiciness.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Fry potatoes in batches if needed to keep them crispy.
- Fresh basil is a game changer: Add it last to preserve bright, fresh flavor and aroma.
- Simmer gently: Avoid boiling the coconut milk to prevent separation and maintain creaminess.
- Adjust lime and soy sauce to taste: The balance between tangy and salty makes all the difference.
How to Serve Coconut Basil Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Bowl with Crispy Potatoes
Garnishes
Top your bowl with freshly chopped green onions, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, or finely sliced fresh chili for color and an extra layer of flavor.
Side Dishes
This recipe works beautifully with a simple side salad of cucumbers and carrots or a bowl of jasmine rice to soak up any extra sauce and round out the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve in coconut shells or over a bed of steamed greens like bok choy for an elegant, tropical-inspired presentation that will impress guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Coconut Basil Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Bowl with Crispy Potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping the crispy potatoes separate when possible helps maintain texture.
Freezing
You can freeze the chicken stir-fry portion (without potatoes) for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container. Reheat gently to avoid overcooking the coconut milk sauce.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally. For crispy potatoes, warming in a toaster oven or skillet will help retain their crunch better than a microwave.
FAQs
Can I use frozen basil for this recipe?
Fresh basil is recommended for the best flavor and aroma, but if frozen basil is your only option, thaw and drain it well before adding to avoid excess moisture.
Is this dish gluten-free?
Yes, as long as you use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, this Coconut Basil Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Bowl with Crispy Potatoes is naturally gluten-free.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Absolutely! Substitute chicken with tofu or tempeh, and use coconut oil or vegetable oil for frying to make a delicious vegan version.
How spicy is this dish?
The dish is mild by default, but you can easily adjust the heat by adding more red pepper flakes or fresh chilies to suit your preference.
What type of potatoes work best?
Yukon Gold or baby potatoes hold up well to pan frying and develop a great crispy texture, but fingerlings or red potatoes also work beautifully here.
Final Thoughts
Give this Coconut Basil Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Bowl with Crispy Potatoes a try for your next dinner—it’s a delightful blend of tropical coconut, fresh herbs, and irresistible crispy potatoes that come together with such ease and joy. Whether for a busy weeknight or a relaxed weekend meal, this recipe is sure to become one of your favorites to share with family and friends.
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Coconut Basil Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Bowl with Crispy Potatoes
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing, Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: Fusion, Tropical
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
The Coconut Basil Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Bowl with Crispy Potatoes is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining tender chicken, aromatic fresh basil, garlic, and creamy coconut milk, topped with golden, crispy potatoes. Ready in under 30 minutes, it offers a quick, fresh, and delicious one-bowl meal perfect for busy weeknights or any time you want a tropical-inspired dinner that is both satisfying and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Protein and Herbs
- Chicken breasts or thighs – 1 lb, sliced
- Fresh basil leaves – 1 cup, loosely packed
- Garlic cloves – 3, minced
Dairy & Liquids
- Coconut milk – 1 cup
- Soy sauce or tamari – 2 tablespoons
- Lime juice – 1 tablespoon (freshly squeezed)
Vegetables and Starch
- Yukon Gold or baby potatoes – 1 lb, washed and chopped into bite-sized pieces
- Green onions – 2 stalks, chopped
Oils & Seasonings
- Olive oil or coconut oil – 2 tablespoons (for frying and sautéing)
- Salt – to taste
- Black pepper – to taste
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional) – ⅛ to ½ teaspoon
Instructions
- Prepare the Crispy Potatoes: Wash and chop the potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the potatoes and cook without stirring for a few minutes to develop a golden crust. Once one side is golden and crispy, toss to crisp the other sides. Remove potatoes from skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: In the same skillet, add a little extra oil if needed. Add the sliced chicken pieces and season them with salt and pepper. Sauté until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Add Garlic and Basil: Add the minced garlic to the chicken and stir for about one minute until fragrant. Then toss in the fresh basil leaves, letting them wilt slightly to release their aroma.
- Pour in Coconut Milk: Pour the coconut milk over the chicken mixture and stir to combine. Let it simmer gently until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
- Combine and Season: Return the crispy potatoes to the pan and toss everything together. Add soy sauce and a squeeze of lime juice to balance the flavors. Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes as desired.
- Serve Warm: Transfer the stir-fry to bowls and garnish with chopped green onions. Serve immediately to enjoy the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use room temperature chicken to help it cook evenly and stay juicy.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying potatoes; cook in batches if necessary to keep them crispy.
- Add fresh basil at the end to preserve its bright, fresh flavor and aroma.
- Simmer the coconut milk gently to avoid boiling, which can cause separation and affect creaminess.
- Adjust lime juice and soy sauce to taste for the perfect balance of tangy and salty flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: coconut basil chicken, chicken stir-fry, crispy potatoes, quick dinner, gluten free, coconut milk chicken, basil garlic chicken