Thai Basil Chicken Recipe

Here’s a flavorful recipe for Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai). This popular Thai dish is quick to prepare and features ground chicken stir-fried with fresh Thai basil and a savory sauce. It’s typically served over rice and is perfect for a weeknight dinner!

Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai) Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Chicken:

• 1 lb (450 g) ground chicken
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or any cooking oil)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2-3 Thai bird’s eye chilies, minced (adjust to taste; or use red chili flakes)
• 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
• 1/2 cup onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves (or regular basil if unavailable)

For the Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon water

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Sauce:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and water. Set aside.

2. Cook the Chicken:

• Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and chilies and sauté for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
• Add the ground chicken to the skillet. Cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until the chicken is fully cooked (about 5-7 minutes).

3. Add Vegetables:

• If using, add the sliced onion and bell pepper. Stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

4. Combine with Sauce:

• Pour the sauce over the cooked chicken and vegetables. Stir well to combine, and cook for another minute to let the flavors meld.

5. Add Thai Basil:

• Remove the skillet from heat and fold in the fresh Thai basil leaves until they are just wilted.

6. Serve:

• Serve the Thai Basil Chicken over steamed jasmine rice. You can also top it with a fried egg for an authentic touch!

Tips:

• Adjusting Heat: You can control the spice level by adjusting the amount of bird’s eye chilies. For a milder version, you can use less or substitute with bell peppers.
• Substitutions: If you can’t find Thai basil, regular basil can be used, but it will change the flavor slightly.

Enjoy your Thai Basil Chicken! This dish is a perfect combination of savory, spicy, and aromatic flavors that is sure to delight your taste buds.