This Thai Basil Chicken Is Better Than Takeout

Name: 20 Minute Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Gai Krapow)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 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; 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; 1 cup uncooked rice for serving; 2-3 stalks of green onion for garnish; More basil leaves; Sesame seeds; Prawn crackers; 2 fried eggs

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.

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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 two types of soy sauce, fish sauce, chili garlic sauce and oyster sauce. I like to use low-sodium sauces to keep this on the healthier side. If this is not available for you, 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.

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About Basil

Thai Holy basil (or hot basil): This is the key ingredient in our thai basil recipe! It's a basil leaf that adds a spicy kick to dishes. While it's not always easy to find, you can use regular thai basil or 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.

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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.

My Favorite Tools

Nonstick Ceramic Pan

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8-inch Sharp Knife

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Wooden Spoons and Spatulas Set

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Cutting Board Set

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Mixing Bowl

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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. I use these glass meal prep containers to store leftovers - they keep everything fresh for 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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Before You Head Out

If you gave this recipe a try, I'd be so thankful if you could leave a ★★★★★ rating and review below. It helps other readers, supports my work, and means the world to me. Thank you for being part of The Yummy Bowl family. Happy cooking! ❤️

Recipe Card

Julia

20 Minute Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Gai Krapow)

5 from 31 votes

Quickly whip up your new favorite Asian dish, Thai Basil Chicken. This Pad Kra Pao is loaded with salty, sticky, sharp, and spicy, featuring the star ingredient - 'holy' basil.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 20

Total Time 25

Servings: 2 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Asian

Calories: 245

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Video Notes

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

Equipment

Method

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

Nutrition

Calories: 245kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 23gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 98mgSodium: 2228mgPotassium: 791mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 334IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 62mgIron: 2mg

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.

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Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.

Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.

Looking for another easy Asian dinner? Try this Chicken Fried Rice.

FAQs

Is Thai basil spicy hot?

Thai basil features a peppery-licorice or anise flavor, distinguishing it from regular basil (Italian basil), which has a sweeter taste.

Is basil good for kidneys?

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.

What does Kaprow mean in Thai?

It's very simple! Pad Krapow means beef, pork, or chicken stir-fried with garlic, chilies, and holy basil.

What tastes good with Thai 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.

How many calories is Thai Basil Chicken?

This Thai basil chicken recipe makes 2 servings and is about 245 kcal per serving without rice or egg.

Is Thai Basil Chicken healthy?

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.