By Lori Walker, MS, RD | Published on September 20, 2023 | Last Updated on September 20, 2023
Nothing beats a comforting bowl of Thai duck with chili basil. This dish, often found in takeout restaurants and Thai food court stalls, is hearty and flavorful.
Fortunately, you don’t have to be a professional chef to recreate this delicious dish at home. Our easy-to-follow guide will walk you through every step of the process, from prepping and baking to preparing the sauce and adding in all the ingredients.
With a few simple steps, you’ll be able to elevate your cooking with this restaurant-quality Thai duck with chili basil recipe!
What is Thai Duck With Chili Basil?
Thai Duck with Chili Basil is a flavorful and fragrant dish that is often found in Thai food restaurants and takeout stalls.
This classic dish consists of duck breasts cooked in an aromatic sauce made from coconut water, Thai basil leaves, red chili paste, sesame oil, sugar snap peas, and more.
The ingredients blend together to create a savory yet sweet dish that is sure to tantalize your taste buds. The key to this is the duck, which should be cooked to perfection so that it remains juicy and tender.
What does it taste like?
This Thai Duck with Chili Basil dish is an indulgent mix of flavors that will satisfy your craving for a savory treat. The duck breasts are juicy and tender, while the sauce is packed full of flavor thanks to the addition of coconut water, Thai basil leaves, red chili paste, sesame oil, sugar snap peas, and more.
The combination of sweet and savory flavors creates a balance that is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. The richness of the duck is balanced by the light sweetness of the coconut water, while the chili paste adds heat and a little kick.
The crunchy sugar snap peas add texture and contrast against the softer elements. Overall, this is an incredibly tasty dish that will satisfy all your cravings.
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How did I first get introduced to the Thai Duck With Chili Basil?
I first discovered Thai Duck with Chili Basil on a trip to Bangkok. I was there for vacation and had the opportunity to visit some of the city’s famous street food stalls.
One evening, I stumbled across a small stall selling this dish and decided to give it a try. The combination of flavors in this dish instantly won me over—the sweet and spicy sauce was absolutely delicious, especially when paired with the juicy duck breasts.
Since then, I’ve been hooked on this dish. There is something so comforting and satisfying about this Thai classic that I just can’t get enough of. I now make it at home whenever I have a craving for Thai food!
How to Make Thai Duck With Chili Basil?
Making Thai Duck with Chili Basil at home is surprisingly simple. All you need to do is gather the ingredients & follow this easy-to-follow guide:
Ingredients
- Gressingham duck breasts: This type of duck has a richer flavor and firmer texture than other types, making it perfect for this Thai-inspired dish.
- Turmeric powder: This bright yellow spice adds an earthy flavor to the dish. It is also high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Coconut water: Coconut water helps bring out the other flavors and provides a light sweetness that helps balance the spiciness of the dish.
- Thai basil leaves: The flavor of Thai basil is slightly sweeter and richer than that of regular basil, making it an ideal choice for this recipe.
- Sugar snap peas: These mild-flavored vegetables help to balance out the richness of the duck and add some crunch.
- Red onion: Red onions add a sweet, mild flavor to the dish.
- Sambal or Thai chili paste: This spicy condiment is essential for creating that classic Thai flavor.
- Sesame oil: Sesame oil adds nuttiness and depth of flavor to the dish.
- Red chilies: These bring some heat and a bright color to the dish.
- Crushed peanuts: Peanuts add texture and flavor to the dish, plus they make a great garnish!
- Palm sugar or brown sugar: This helps balance out the spiciness of the chili paste.
- Fish sauce: Fish sauce adds an umami flavor to this dish, as well as saltiness.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1
Bake the duck
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the duck breasts on a baking dish lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Rub the turmeric powder into each breast until completely covered.
- Bake for 20 minutes, turning once halfway through. Remove from oven and set aside to rest.
Step 2
Prepare the sauce
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, warm the coconut water until steaming.
- Add in the Thai basil leaves, sugar snap peas, red onion, and sambal or chili paste.
- Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add in the sesame oil and red chilies.
- Stir in the palm sugar or brown sugar and fish sauce.
- Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 3
Add the baked duck breast
- Cut the duck breasts into thin slices and add them to the saucepan.
- Simmer for an additional 5 minutes, until the duck is cooked through and the flavors have had time to meld together.
- Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Tips
- For a spicier version of this dish, add in more red chilies or chili paste.
- For a heavier dish, add some cooked rice into the saucepan before simmering the duck.
- If you like your dishes extra fragrant, try adding some fresh lemongrass and ginger to the sauce.
- For a crunchy texture, sprinkle some crushed peanuts on top before serving.
Nutrition Information
What to serve with Thai Duck With Chili Basil?
Here are a few ideas on what to serve with Thai Duck With Chili Basil:
- Jasmine rice
- Stir-fried veggies such as bell peppers and carrots
- Glass noodles or egg noodles
- A crunchy green salad
- Coconut milk or sweet chili sauce for dipping.
How to store leftover Thai Duck With Chili Basil?
Leftover Thai Duck with Chili Basil can be stored in the fridge or freezer. To store in the fridge, let the dish cool completely before transferring it into an airtight container. Place it in the refrigerator and consume it within 3-4 days.
If you’d like to freeze it, transfer it to a freezer-safe container and store it for up to two months. To reheat, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then warm it up in a saucepan over medium heat.
When storing Thai Duck with Chili Basil, make sure to store the duck separately from the sauce. This will prevent the dish from becoming too soupy if reheated. Additionally, you can use leftover cooked duck in other dishes such as a salad or tacos.
Can pregnant women eat this?
Yes, pregnant women can enjoy Thai Duck with Chili Basil in moderation. While raw meat and fish should generally be avoided during pregnancy, cooked duck is considered safe to eat according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines.
Furthermore, all ingredients used in this dish such as turmeric powder, coconut water, red onion, and sambal or chili paste are also considered safe for pregnant women.
Thai Duck With Chili Basil Recipe
Equipment
- baking dish
- large saucepan
Ingredients
- 4 duck breasts
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 250 ml coconut water
- chopped fresh basil leaves thinly sliced
- 200 g fresh snow peas roughly chopped
- 1 large red onion (chopped)
- 3 tbsp Thai chili paste or to taste
- 5 tsp Toasted Sesame Oil
- 2 red chilies, deseeded and chopped
- Some crushed peanuts
- 1 tbsp brown sugar or white granulated sugar
- 5 tsp fish sauce
Instructions
Oven-bake the duck breasts.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and place the duck breasts onto a baking dish lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Massage each breast with turmeric powder until completely covered, then bake for 20 minutes, flipping once halfway through. When finished cooking, set aside to rest.
Whisk up the savory sauce
- In a large saucepan, heat coconut water over medium heat until steaming. Toss in Thai basil leaves, sugar snap peas, red onion, and sambal/chili paste before simmering for 10 minutes while stirring intermittently. Add in sesame oil and sliced red chilies for extra flavor, then stir in palm sugar or brown sugar and fish sauce. Keep simmering for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Incorporate the duck into the mixture
- Slice up cooked duck breasts into thin pieces and transfer them to your pan of savory sauce. Simmer everything together for another 5 minutes, making sure that the duck is cooked thoroughly and that all flavors have had time to blend. Let the entire dish rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier version of this dish, add in more red chilies or chili paste.
- For a heavier dish, add some cooked rice into the saucepan before simmering the duck.
- If you like your dishes extra fragrant, try adding some fresh lemongrass and ginger to the sauce.
- For a crunchy texture, sprinkle some crushed peanuts on top before serving.
FAQs
Is this dish spicy?
Yes, Thai Duck with Chili Basil is quite spicy due to the sambal or chili paste. If you prefer a milder version of this dish, simply reduce the amount of chili paste used.
Can I use regular basil instead of Thai basil?
Yes, regular basil can be used as a substitute for Thai basil. However, the flavor will not be quite the same since Thai basil has a slightly sweeter and richer flavor than regular basil.
Is this dish gluten-free?
Yes, this dish is naturally gluten-free since it doesn’t contain any wheat-based ingredients. However, make sure to check the label on the fish sauce and sambal or chili paste that you use, as some brands may contain gluten.
Can I make this dish vegan?
Yes, it is possible to make this dish vegan by substituting the duck with tofu or tempeh. Additionally, make sure to use a vegan-friendly fish sauce or substitute it with tamari if desired.
What other vegetables can I add?
You can try adding mushrooms, zucchini, eggplant, or bok choy to this dish for more flavor and texture. Other vegetables such as sweet potatoes or squash would also be a great addition.
Wrapping Up
In this article, we discussed how to make Thai Duck with Chili Basil. We provided you with a list of ingredients and step-by-step instructions on how to prepare the dish.
Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner or just want to try something new, this delicious dish is sure to please!
With its unique flavor and depth of taste, it’s definitely worth giving a try. Thank you for reading this article. Please share it with your friends and family if you found it helpful.
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My name is Lori Walker. I’m a registered dietitian, food blogger and food enthusiast. I share easy healthy, delicious recipes on my blog and review necessary kitchen items. The recipes I share take less… Read more
