1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Thai Basil Chicken

Thai Basil Chicken

Featured in Simple and Satisfying Dinners.

Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Gai Krapow) brings authentic Thai street food flavors to your kitchen in just 25 minutes. Ground chicken gets stir-fried with aromatic garlic, chilies, and holy basil in a perfectly balanced sauce made with soy, fish sauce, and oyster sauce. The dish comes together quickly in one pan, creating a savory, spicy, and slightly sweet combination that's traditionally served over steamed rice with a crispy fried egg on top. The runny yolk adds richness to the already flavorful dish.
A smiling woman in an apron poses for a selfie in a professional kitchen.
Updated on Fri, 07 Feb 2025 17:23:49 GMT
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Send Recipe Jump To Recipe
Thai Basil Chicken Pin it
Thai Basil Chicken | tastygusto.com

Thai Basil Chicken, known as Pad Gai Krapow, is one of Thailand's most beloved street food dishes. Bursting with bold flavors from spicy chilies, aromatic garlic, and fresh Thai basil, this quick and easy stir-fry delivers an authentic taste of Thailand in just minutes. Served over steamed jasmine rice and topped with a crispy fried egg, it's a dish that's both comforting and full of umami.

My love for Thai cuisine started with my first visit to a bustling Bangkok street market. The scent of sizzling garlic, chilies, and fresh basil filled the air, drawing me to a tiny food stall where I had my first bite of Pad Gai Krapow. That unforgettable experience led me on a journey to recreate this dish at home, perfecting every detail to match the bold, fragrant flavors I fell in love with.

Master Your Ingredients

  • Ground Chicken: Dark meat preferred for juiciness, with a medium-fine grind for the best texture.
  • Thai Holy Basil: The key ingredient for authentic flavor—peppery and slightly spicy.
  • Garlic: Fresh cloves, smashed and roughly chopped for maximum aroma.
  • Thai Chilies: Bird's eye chilies for a fiery heat, finely chopped with seeds.
  • Oyster Sauce: Adds depth and a slightly sweet umami flavor.
  • Fish Sauce: High-quality Thai fish sauce brings out the dish's signature savory taste.
  • Soy Sauce: Enhances the overall balance with a salty umami base.
  • Palm Sugar: Rounds out the heat with a touch of sweetness.

Creating Your Thai Basil Chicken

Prepping the Ingredients:
Smash and roughly chop the garlic, finely slice the Thai chilies, and measure all the sauces in advance. This dish cooks fast, so having everything ready is key.
Cooking the Chicken:
Heat oil in a wok over high heat. Add the garlic and chilies, stirring quickly until fragrant. Immediately add the ground chicken, breaking it up as it cooks. Let it sear before stirring to develop flavor.
Building the Sauce:
Once the chicken is fully cooked, add the oyster sauce, fish sauce, soy sauce, and palm sugar. Stir well to coat everything in the sauce, letting it caramelize slightly.
Finishing with Basil:
Turn off the heat and stir in the Thai basil leaves. The residual heat will wilt them perfectly without overcooking.
Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls Pin it
Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls | tastygusto.com

When I first attempted this dish, I mistakenly used Italian basil, which lacked the bold, spicy notes essential for authenticity. Once I found fresh Thai holy basil, the difference was night and day. Now, I never make this dish without it.

Perfect Pairings and Variations

Pair your Thai basil chicken with jasmine rice for the best experience. For a low-carb option, try serving it over cauliflower rice. Want extra heat? Add more Thai chilies or a drizzle of chili oil. If you're not a fan of chicken, substitute ground turkey or even crumbled tofu for a vegetarian twist.

Storage Solutions

This dish is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in a hot pan for the best texture. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the basil lose its vibrant flavor.

Close-up Thai Basil Chicken Recipe Pin it
Close-up Thai Basil Chicken Recipe | tastygusto.com

After countless recreations of this dish, I can confidently say that the secret to the best Thai Basil Chicken lies in the balance of heat, umami, and fresh herbs. With this perfected recipe, you’ll have a taste of Thailand in every bite.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What is Thai basil and can I substitute it?
Thai holy basil has a distinct peppery flavor, but regular sweet basil works fine as a substitute. The dish will still be delicious, just slightly different.
→ How spicy is this dish?
You can adjust the heat by changing the amount of chilies and chili sauce. Remove the seeds for less heat, or skip the chilies entirely for a mild version.
→ Can I use different meat?
Ground pork, turkey, or beef all work well. You can also use thinly sliced chicken breast instead of ground meat.
→ Why add a fried egg?
The runny yolk adds richness and creates a sauce when mixed with the rice and chicken. It's traditional but optional.
→ How do I store leftovers?
Store in the fridge for 2-3 days. When reheating, add a splash of water or broth to prevent the sauce from drying out.

Thai Basil Chicken

This Thai Basil Chicken combines ground chicken with aromatic basil and chilies in a savory sauce, served over rice with a fried egg.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
25 Minutes

Category: Dinner Ideas

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Thai

Yield: 2 Servings

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ For the Stir Fry Base

01 8 oz ground chicken
02 ½ cup brown onion or shallots, roughly chopped
03 5 cloves garlic, minced
04 ½ cup Thai basil leaves (or regular basil if you can't find Thai)
05 1 medium red chili, roughly chopped
06 1 medium green chili, roughly chopped
07 Avocado oil for cooking

→ For the Sauce

08 1 tablespoon each: light soy sauce, dark soy sauce
09 1 tablespoon maple syrup (or 2 teaspoons honey)
10 1 teaspoon garlic chili sauce or sriracha
11 1 tablespoon each: oyster sauce, fish sauce

→ For Serving

12 1 cup uncooked rice
13 2 eggs for frying
14 2-3 green onions, sliced
15 Extra basil leaves
16 Sesame seeds for sprinkling
17 Prawn crackers (optional but recommended)

Instructions

Step 01

Get your garlic and chilies finely chopped. If using a garlic press for the garlic, that works great too.

Step 02

Get your wok or pan nice and hot over medium-high heat. Add enough oil to coat the bottom, then toss in your onions or shallots. Let them cook for a few minutes until they're starting to soften, then add your garlic and green chili. Let those aromatics do their thing for about 30 seconds.

Step 03

Add your ground chicken to the pan. Break it up and cook until it's just done - you want it cooked through but still juicy.

Step 04

Pour in all your sauces, add the red chili, and toss in that fragrant basil. Give everything a good stir until the basil starts to wilt but is still bright green. If things look a bit dry, splash in some water to create more sauce.

Step 05

Pile your chicken mixture over hot steamed rice, top with a perfectly fried egg, and sprinkle with green onions, extra basil, and sesame seeds. Add some prawn crackers on the side for extra crunch.

Notes

  1. This dish keeps well in the fridge for 2-3 days
  2. When reheating, add a splash of broth or water to keep it from drying out
  3. Any hot sauce can work - Valentina or Frank's are good alternatives

Tools You'll Need

  • Wok or large non-stick pan
  • Rice cooker or pot for rice
  • Sharp knife and cutting board
  • Pan for frying eggs

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains fish (fish sauce, oyster sauce)
  • Contains soy (soy sauce)
  • Contains eggs

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 245
  • Total Fat: 9 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 18 g
  • Protein: 23 g