Red Basil Chicken Rice

By Dirk Biesinger • October 1, 2025

This dish can be found in slight variations throughout Bores. A bit spicier in the region of Oasis, in the Grand Desert in the south, in smaller portions in Ckitath, a bit saucier in La Mesa and with fish instead of chicken in Sona.

Ingredients:

5 Tbs sesame oil
1/2 lbs ground chicken or turkey
3 green onions, thinly sliced
2 chili peppers, seeded
2 garlic groves, chopped
2 cups bok choy, roughly chopped
1/2 cup red basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon ginger, grated
3 large eggs, scrambled
black pepper, salt
4-5 cups jasmine rice, already cooked
tamari
1/3 cup soy sauce
2 Tbs red fish sauce

to serve, garnish with:

peanuts
basil
lemon in wedges

Directions:

Heat 3Tbs sesame oil in a large skillet.
Add ground chicken or turkey once oil is hot.
Cook and break up with a spatula until crispy brown.
Stir in green onion, chilies, garlic.

Let cook for 2-3 min.
Add bok choy, basil and ginger.
Cook while continuously stirring.

Push all to one side of the pan.
Add 3 eggs, scramble until softly set.
Season with salt and pepper.

Add jasmine rice and 2 Tbs. sesame oil.
Add soy, tamari and fish sauce.
Heat evenly while stirring everything together.

Serve

Divide into bowls.
Top with chopped peanuts and red basil.
Serve with wedge of lemon on the side.