Smash the garlic and chilies together in your mortar and pestle. If you don't have one, you can mince them and stir together.

Heat oil in either a wok or large skillet. Once it is shimmering, add garlic and chiles (be prepared for the fumes to make you cough, especially if you add in several chiles!).

Add chicken and cook until no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Stir in sugar, fish sauce and soy sauce. Add in more fish sauce to taste, if desired.

Stir in basil until it wilts. If the mixture seems dry, try adding a little bit of water.

Serve immediately with rice.

Add some water if you think it's dry. Toss in the basil until it wilts. Serve with rice.