Say hello to your new favorite Thai takeout fakeout—this Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Gai Krapow) is bold, garlicky, and loaded with flavor.
It’s one of my most-popular recipes for good reason: it’s super simple, ready in 20 minutes, and perfect for weeknights or date nights. That combo of salty, sticky, spicy sauce and fragrant holy basil? Totally addictive.
This recipe was updated in November 2024 with new photos, and tips.
Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Gai Krapow)
My favorite food to order in Thai restaurants is, of course, a Chicken and Thai basil recipe (you have to try it with tofu and tempeh; it's absolutely delicious!).
My easy version isn't authentic, but it strikes the perfect balance of flavors without being too salty or overly ''hot''.
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Readers Feedback
This combo was perfect and I totally loved the slight kick of heat. Thank you so much for this awesome recipe!
- Ned, our reader
📋 You can find the full ingredient list in the Recipe Card below the article.
Ingredients
- Sauces - we'll need to types of soy sauce, fish sauce, chili garlic and sauce and oyster sauce. I like to use low-sodium sauces to keep this on the healthier side. If this is not available, dilute soy sauce with water.
- Chicken - ground chicken, turkey, or delicious tempeh. This dish is also often made with boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts; slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and fry for 3-4 minutes per side until cooked through and juicy.
- Basil - Thai Holy Basil, Thai Basil or Basil? All work! Thai basil has a hint of spice and licorice, visually distinct. Holy Basil offers a peppery, clove flavor, originally used in this dish, but any fresh and fragrant basil, like lemon basil or regular basil, is suitable. I love adding fresh mint, too; you'll love it!
- Hot peppers - I recommend mild peppers or a mix of 1 hot and 1 mild. Traditionally, bird's eye chili peppers (Thai chilies, you can find them in local Asian market) is used, but any hot pepper works as a substitute for its heat.
- Hot sauce - Use Sriracha, Frank's, Valentina, or my preference—milder garlic chili sauce for a pleasant garlicky kick.
- Garlic - Garlic is a must in this dish!
- Fried egg - Egg is optional but perfect for adding creamy topping to the mix!
- Rice - long grain rice like jasmine rice or your favorite Asian-style noodles, ramen, or rice noodles, your choice!
- Toppings - I love to top my spicy Thai basil chicken with sesame seeds, toasted cashew nuts, more chili and basil, crispy onions, green onions, and sometimes shaved coconut. The more the merrier!
- Thai chilis - use a mixture of hot and mild peppers.
About Basil
- Thai Holy basil (or hot basil): This is the key ingredient in our drunken noodles recipe! It's a basil leaf that adds a spicy kick to dishes. While it's not always easy to find, you can order it online from Amazon or use regular sweet basil from your local grocery store as a substitute.
- Thai Basil: Recognized by its purple stems and spicy licorice-anise flavor, Thai basil is not commonly found in American grocery stores but is available in most Asian grocery stores.
- Sweet Basil: This is the basil we're all familiar with, commonly found in grocery stores. It's used in various sauces, marinades, and recipes. While it's a suitable substitute for Thai basil in any recipe, you'll miss out on some of the unique flavors that Thai basil and Holy basil offer.
How To Make Thai Basil Chicken Recipe
You can make this Thai favorite in your kitchen in just 20 minutes—there is no need for a special wok pan!
- Begin by finely chopping garlic and green chilies or use a garlic press.
- Heat oil in a nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add onions or shallots, sauté for a few minutes, then add garlic and green chili. Ensure sufficient oil for fragrance.
- After 30 seconds, add ground/minced chicken. Cook chicken until no longer pink, ensuring it stays juicy without overcooking.
- Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic chili sauce, fish sauce, red chili, and basil to the cooked mixture. Stir until basil wilts, maintaining vibrant color. If it's too dry, add water for more sauce.
- Serve over steamed rice with a fried egg for irresistible creaminess. Don't forget a squeeze of lime juice or a lime wedge on the side. This recipe makes one large or two normal-sized servings with rice and an egg.
Tips
- Avoid overcooking, especially the basil leaves. Once added, remove the thai basil chicken stir fry from heat and stir until the basil leaves wilt. That's it!
- Seasonings - Skip additional salt, pepper, or seasoning for both the dish and rice.
- More flavors - Finely chopped green beans and bell peppers. Optional mushroom stock powder, a common Thai basil stir-fry addition, boosts the flavor. Diced mushrooms also make a great alternative.
- Fried Egg Thai style - Thai eggs are REALLY fried. For an authentic touch, use generous oil for sunny-side-up eggs. Heat until very hot, crack eggs, and pour hot oil over each while cooking. In my Thai Basil Chicken recipe, I chose sunny-side-up eggs with less oil.
Don't miss: Lo Mein, Asian Cabbage Stir Fry and Drunken Noodles.
Storing Leftovers
- To Store. Refrigerate for 2-3 days.
- To Reheat. When reheating in a skillet over medium-low heat, add vegetable or meat broth or water if the sauce becomes dry and sticky.
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Recipe Card
20 Minute Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Gai Krapow)
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INGREDIENTS
Thai Basil Stir Fry
- ½ cup brown onion or shallot, diced or shallots roughly chopped
- 8 oz ground chicken
- 5 garlic cloves
- ½ cup Thai basil or regular basil, see notes
- 1 medium red chili, chopped roughly
- 1 medium mild hot green pepper,, chopped
- Avocado oil for cooking
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce, gluten-free if needed
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce low sodium if possible and gluten-free if using
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or 2 teaspoon liquid honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic chili sauce or sriracha, or other hot sauce, see notes
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
For serving
- 1 cup uncooked rice for serving
- 2-3 stalks of green onion for garnish
- More basil leaves
- Sesame seeds
- Prawn crackers
- 2 fried eggs
INSTRUCTIONS
- Begin by finely chopping garlic (or use a garlic press) and green chilies.5 garlic cloves, 1 medium mild hot green pepper,
- Heat oil in a nonstick pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add onions or shallots, sauté for a few minutes, then add garlic and green chili. Ensure sufficient oil for fragrance.½ cup brown onion or shallot, Avocado oil for cooking
- After 30 seconds, add ground meat. Cook chicken until no longer pink, ensuring it stays juicy without overcooking.8 oz ground chicken
- Add sauces, red chili, and basil to the cooked mixture.½ cup Thai basil or regular basil, 1 medium red chili, 1 tablespoon light soy sauce, 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce low sodium if possible and gluten-free if using, 1 tablespoon maple syrup or 2 teaspoon liquid honey, 1 teaspoon garlic chili sauce or sriracha, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- Stir until basil wilts, maintaining vibrant color. If it's too dry, add water for more sauce.
- Serve over steamed rice with a fried egg, prawn crackers for irresistible creaminess. Top with green onions, more basil, sesame seeds.1 cup uncooked rice for serving, 2-3 stalks of green onion for garnish, More basil leaves, Prawn crackers, 2 fried eggs, Sesame seeds
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NOTES
- To Store. Refrigerate for 2-3 days.
- To Reheat. When reheating in a skillet over medium-low heat, add vegetable or meat broth, or water if the sauce becomes dry and sticky.
- For the hot sauce - you can also use something like Valentina or Franks Red Hot.
- Nutrition is estimated and makes 245 kcal per serving of Thai basil chicken without rice or egg.
ADD YOUR OWN PRIVATE NOTES
NUTRITION
FAQs
Thai basil features a peppery-licorice or anise flavor, distinguishing it from regular basil (Italian basil), which has a sweeter taste.
Basil, with essential oils and antibacterial properties, supports anti-inflammatory conditions and kidney cleansing. The acetic acid in basil helps expel kidney stones through urine, promoting overall well-being.
It’s very simple! Pad Krapow means beef, pork, or chicken stir-fried with garlic, chilies, and holy basil.
Serve Thai basil dishes with steamed rice and fried eggs for added creaminess that complements the peppery, spicy flavor. It also pairs well with noodles, pasta, or lentils.
This Thai basil chicken recipe makes 2 servings and is about 245 kcal per serving without rice or egg.
Holy basil is packed with nutrients. Making stir fry at home is healthier than buying it from the store or restaurant. You have control over the ingredients and sugar content. Opt for low-sodium sauces and keep the portions in check.
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Amelia
After a long day of errands, carpet cleaning, and Dr. appointments, I was really needing a fast and easy dinner and this fit the bill! This recipe came together so fast and tasted unbelievably good!