Quickly whip up your new favorite Thai dish, Thai Basil Chicken recipe. 20 minutes of total prep and cooking is a great added bonus!
This Pad Gai Krapow is loaded with salty, garlicky, sticky, sharp, and spicy flavors, featuring the star ingredient – 'holy' basil.
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''.
Don't miss my other popular Asian inspired food recipes and stir fries - Lo Mein and Drunken Noodles.
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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
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 - is optional but perfect to add some 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.
The full recipe and ingredients can be found in the recipe card below this post.
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. 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 both soy sauces, 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 size 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 - green beans and bell peppers, finely chopped. Boost the flavor with optional mushroom stock powder, a common Thai basil stir fry addition. 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.
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
VIDEO
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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Jean Hershey
This is a real winner and a great Thai dish that doesn’t take very much work at all. I did use rotisserie chicken and also just a red pepper. I had no Thai red chili peppers and the flavor was still amazing. Try it you won’t be sorry if you love Thai!
Julia
thank you Jean, so happy to hear t!hat you liked it
Susan
This is a dish my husband requests over and over again. It is so full of flavor! I have used chicken, turkey and ground beef. Could I use tofu? My son is plant based.(But will use oyster and fish sauce)
Dave Kerr
The Best Thai Basil I've Ever tried!
Maggie S.
Just tried the 20 Minute Thai Basil Chicken, and wow, it's amazing! So flavorful, and truly quick to make. Perfect for my weeknight dinner rush. Thanks, Julia, for sharing this gem. I've been looking for easy Asian recipes, and this is just perfect!
Anna
Recipe said “other hot sauce, see notes” for the sauce, but alas, no notes on hot sauce. Just FYI
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
added more info!
Dannii
the flavours in this were amazing. Such a great new way to use chicken.
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
glad you liked it Dannii!
Ned
This combo was perfect and I totally loved the slight kick of heat. Thank you so much for this awesome recipe!
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
glad you loved it Ned!
Sky
This sounds delicious! I can't wait to try it this spring when I have holy basil growing in the garden!
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
thats awesome! Enjoy Sky!
Gianne
The flavors were perfectly balanced and the chicken was tender and juicy. The basil added a refreshing kick to the dish.
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
thank you Gianne!
Kate
This was simply delicious and so easy to make! Mine looked (almost) as good as your beautiful photos too! Will make again for sure!
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
that's amazing! Thank you Kate!
Michelle
This recipe is so delicious! I made a couple substitutions: I used 2 Thai chilis, chicken breast sliced really thin and added broccoli and carrots. Served over coconut rice. The kids went back for seconds and asked that we have it again, success! Thank you.
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
I love it! thank you!
Cheryl Mae
Thanks. I was going to ask if it had to be made with ground chicken.
Julia
just like in any other dish, you can use your favorite ground meat or protein.
Michelle
This was so good! I used a red bell pepper and a serrano pepper instead but my whole family loved it. It's going into the rotation!
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
thank you so much Michelle!
B
There’s a difference between Thai basil and holy basil. Holy basil doesn’t really smell like anise. It’s more like regular basil, black pepper, and aged cheese. Couldn’t find it anywhere so I had to grow my own. If I’m not mistaken “pad” means to stir fry, “krapow” means holy basil. Pad krapow
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
great point, there is difference indeed, but personally, the difference is quite minimal in terms of end flavor.
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
Make this Thai Basil Chicken spicy or not so much, the main flavor comes from the sauces and the delicious holy basil 🙂