Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai)
If you love bold flavors and quick, satisfying meals, Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai) is about to become your new favorite dish! This popular Thai street food is bursting with the perfect mix of spicy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors. With tender chicken, fragrant garlic, spicy chilies, and fresh Thai basil, every bite is packed with deliciousness.
Equipment
- Sharp Knife and Cutting Board
- Wok or Large Skillet
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Small bowl
- Rice Cooker or Pot
Ingredients
For the Stir-Fry:
- 1 lb 450g ground chicken (or finely chopped chicken breast/thighs)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2-3 Thai bird’s eye chilies finely chopped (adjust to taste)
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ cup water or chicken broth
- 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
For Serving:
- Steamed jasmine rice
- Fried egg optional, but highly recommended!
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients – Mince the garlic, chop the chilies and onion, and measure out all sauces. If using whole chicken breast or thighs, finely chop them.
- Heat the oil – In a wok or large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Sauté the aromatics – Add the minced garlic and chilies to the hot oil. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful, as the chili fumes can be strong!
- Cook the chicken – Add the ground chicken (or chopped chicken) to the pan. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and slightly browned.
- Add the sauces – Pour in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and water or chicken broth. Stir well to coat the chicken in the sauce. Let it cook for another 2 minutes.
- Stir in the Thai basil – Turn off the heat and add the fresh Thai basil leaves. Stir until the basil wilts from the residual heat.
- Serve immediately – Spoon the stir-fried chicken over a bed of steamed jasmine rice. For an extra treat, top with a crispy fried egg. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutritional Value (Per Serving, Approximate)
- Calories: ~350-400 kcal
- Protein: ~30g
- Carbohydrates: ~8-10g (mainly from sauces)
- Fat: ~20g
- Sodium: ~900-1000mg (depends on soy sauce and fish sauce)
- Sugar: ~3-5g
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.