Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai) is a fiery and aromatic Thai favorite, blending tender chicken with shallots, Thai red chili, and fragrant basil. Ready in under 30 minutes, it's perfect for a quick, flavorful meal. Serve it over your choice of rice - white, jasmine, or basmati - for a satisfying dish.
Heat a wok over high heat and add oil. Once hot, sauté shallots, garlic, and Thai red chili until they become fragrant.
Add the ground or finely chopped chicken to the wok. Stir-fry until the chicken is completely cooked.
Next, pour in ¼ cup of water or broth to deglaze the wok. Add fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, black pepper, and salt to season. Stir everything well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated with the seasonings.
Lastly, add the basil leaves, stirring them into the chicken mixture. Continue cooking just until the basil wilts. Your Thai Basil Chicken is now ready to be served and enjoyed.
To Serve
Enjoy the Thai Basil Chicken with a choice of white, brown, or jasmine rice, and complement it with a fried or sunny-side-up egg for a complete and delightful meal.
Notes
Here are some expert tips to perfect your Thai Basil Chicken:
High Heat Cooking: Cook on high heat for a quick sear, retaining the crispness of aromatics and chicken. Fast stir-frying helps preserve texture and avoids overcooking.
Advance Preparation: Chop shallots, garlic, Thai red chili, and basil leaves in advance. Have your sauces and spices ready. This pre-preparation ensures a seamless cooking experience.
Spice to Taste: Thai Basil Chicken is known for its heat. Control the spiciness by adjusting the amount of Thai red chili to suit your taste. Start with less and increase as needed.
Avoid Overcooking Chicken: Cook chicken until it’s just white and done. Overcooking leads to dryness and toughness, while the right cooking time keeps it juicy and tender.
Late Addition of Basil: Add basil leaves at the end of cooking to maintain their fresh flavor and aroma. Cook them just until they wilt for the best taste.
Flavor Balancing: Continually taste and adjust the dish with fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, black pepper, and salt for a harmonious blend of savory, sweet, and salty elements.
Serve Hot: Enjoy Thai Basil Chicken fresh off the stove for the most vibrant flavors.