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Thai Basil Chicken served in a black bowl, accompanied by fried eggs and rice. Various ingredients are scattered around the dish.

Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai)

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Thai Basil Chicken is a spicy and aromatic Thai favorite that combines tender chicken, shallots, Thai red chili, and fragrant basil. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick and flavorful meal. Serve it over white, jasmine, or basmati rice for a satisfying dish.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Thai, Asian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 2 servings
Calories 372
Author Sangeetha Vel

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Boneless Chicken ground, or chopped
  • 2 tbsp Oil
  • 2 Shallots chopped
  • 2 tbsp Garlic minced
  • 3 Thai Red Chili chopped, reduce the quantity for less heat
  • 1½ tsp Fish Sauce
  • 3 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • ½ tsp Black Pepper powder
  • 1 tbsp Brown Sugar
  • Salt to taste
  • ¼ cup Water to deglaze
  • 1 handful Basil Leaves Thai sweet basil or holy basil
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Making Thai Basil Chicken

  • Heat a wok over high heat and add oil. The high heat is key for quick searing and stir-frying. Once the oil is hot, add the shallots, garlic, and Thai red chili. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds to a minute, just until they become fragrant and slightly softened. Be careful not to let the garlic burn.
    Sauteing the aromatics in high heat wok.
  • Add the ground or finely chopped chicken to the wok. Stir-fry continuously, breaking up any large pieces as it cooks. Keep stirring until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink.
    Sauteing the chicken in high heat wok.
  • Pour in a little bit of water or broth to deglaze the wok, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Add the fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, black pepper, and salt. Stir everything well to make sure the chicken is evenly coated with the seasonings.
    Chicken seasoned with basic seasonings.
  • Finally, add the basil leaves and gently stir them into the chicken mixture. Cook just until the basil wilts and releases its aroma. Your Thai Basil Chicken is now ready to serve!
    Thai Basil Chicken in a wok.

Serving

  • Enjoy the Thai Basil Chicken with your choice of white, brown, or jasmine rice. To make it a complete meal, pair it with a fried or sunny-side-up egg. For more great pairing ideas, don’t forget to check out the serving suggestions section below.
    Serving Thai Basil Chicken over rice and fried egg alongside.

Notes

Here are some helpful tips to perfect your Thai Basil Chicken at home:
  • Use Fresh Ingredients: Whenever possible, use fresh Thai basil, garlic, and chilies. Fresh ingredients will bring out more vibrant flavors compared to dried or pre-chopped options.
  • High Heat Cooking: Always cook on high heat for the best results. It helps sear the chicken quickly and keeps the aromatics like garlic and chili crisp. Fast stir-frying also preserves texture and prevents the chicken from overcooking, which can happen easily if cooked too long on lower heat.
  • Advance Preparation: Make things easier by prepping your ingredients ahead of time. Chop your shallots, garlic, Thai red chili, and basil leaves before you start cooking. Have your sauces and spices measured out and ready to go. This way, everything’s within reach when you need it, and you can focus on the quick cooking process without any interruptions.
  • Spice to Taste: Thai Basil Chicken is famous for its heat, but you can easily control the spice level. Start with a small amount of Thai red chili and adjust as you cook. If you prefer milder heat, simply use less chili.
  • Avoid Overcooking Chicken: Chicken can go from perfectly juicy to dry in no time, so keep an eye on it. Overcooking will make it tough, but stopping at the right moment keeps it tender and juicy, which is exactly what you want.
  • Late Addition of Basil: To get that bright, fresh basil flavor, add the leaves at the very end. Basil wilts quickly, so cook it just until it softens but still keeps its fresh aroma.
  • Adjusting Saltiness: Both fish sauce and soy sauce add saltiness to the dish. If you're watching your sodium intake, you can use low-sodium soy sauce or simply reduce the amount of salt you add.
  • Adding Crunch: For extra texture, you can toss in some toasted cashews or peanuts just before serving. They add a nice satisfying crunch that complements the flavors perfectly.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 372kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 47g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 215mg | Sodium: 2150mg | Potassium: 746mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 110IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 3mg

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