An optical sample detection system includes: a sensor chip including a dielectric member, a metal film adjacent to an upper surface of the dielectric member, a reaction layer adjacent to an upper surface of the metal film, and a lid member disposed on an upper surface of the reaction layer; a chip holding unit for holding the sensor chip; and a light projecting unit that irradiates the metal film with excitation light through the dielectric member. A sample is detected by irradiating the metal film with excitation light through the dielectric member. The lid member is wider than the dielectric member in an optical path cross section of the excitation light.