THAI BASIL CHICKEN (PAD KRAPOW GAI)
Thai Basil Chicken, known locally as Pad Krapow Gai, is a fast and fiery dish that brings authentic Thai street food to your kitchen. This recipe offers a bold blend of heat and herbal complexity. Made with fragrant garlic, chicken, spicy chilli flakes, savoury sauces like fish sauce, soy sauce and plenty of fresh basil. With minimal prep and simple ingredients, it’s an ideal go-to for weeknight meals or a quick fix of vibrant flavour. Traditionally served with jasmine rice and often topped with a crispy fried egg, this dish is easily customisable to suit your spice level or dietary needs. Despite its simplicity, the layers of flavour make every bite incredibly satisfying. This single-serving version is perfect for a quick solo meal without compromising taste or authenticity.
RECIPE CATEGORY
Main Course
SERVING SIZE
1
CUISINE
Thai
PREPARATION/TECHNIQUES
Stir-Fry
OCCASION/HOLIDAY
Casual Dinner
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION/DIETARY CONCERNS
Quick & Easy
DISH TYPE
Tacos & Wraps
INGREDIENTS
Here is a list of ingredients for Thai Basil Chicken:
- ¼ cup ground chicken
- ½ teaspoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon fish sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon chilli flakes
- ¼ cup basil leaves
FULL NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
- Calories: 89.6 kcal
- Protein: 10.6 g
- Fat: 4.8 g
- Saturated Fat:1.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 1.4 g
- Sugars: 0.2 g
- Fibre: 0.4 g
- Sodium: 415.6 mg
- Cholesterol: 48.6 mg
- Calcium: 20 mg
- Iron: 0.8 mg
- Potassium: 356.5 mg
PREPARATION
These steps are followed for Thai Basil Chicken:
- Prepare The Ingredients: Mince the garlic, measure the sauces and chilli flakes and rinse the basil leaves. Set everything within reach.
- Heat The Pan: Place a wok or skillet over medium-high flame. Add a small splash of oil and let it heat until shimmering.
- Sauté The Garlic: Add the minced garlic and chilli flakes to the pan. Stir quickly for about 30 seconds until fragrant and be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add The Chicken: Stir in the ground chicken, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Continue stirring for 3–4 minutes until it’s fully browned.
- Add The Sauces: Pour in the soy sauce and fish sauce. Stir it well so the chicken absorbs all the savoury flavours.
- Add The Basil: Toss the fresh basil leaves and stir until just wilted about 30 seconds.
- Final Stir And Serve: Give everything one last stir and remove from heat. Serve hot with jasmine rice or inside lettuce wraps.
PREP TIME
5 minutes
COOKING TIME
7 minutes
TIPS
Here are some helpful tips for Thai Basil Chicken:
- Use Fresh Thai Basil: Thai holy basil gives the most authentic flavour, but regular basil can be used in a pinch.
- Control The Heat: Adjust the chilli flakes to suit your spice tolerance.
- Don’t Overcook Garlic: Garlic burns quickly, so stir constantly and add it before the meat.
- Stir Constantly: Keep the ingredients moving to cook evenly and prevent burning.
- Serve Immediately: This dish is best enjoyed hot and fresh out of the pan.
VARIATIONS
- Add Vegetables: Bell peppers, green beans or chopped onions can be added for texture and nutrition.
- Make It Low Sodium: Use low-sodium soy sauce and reduce fish sauce if watching your salt intake.
- Make It Sweeter: Add a dash of palm sugar or brown sugar for a touch of sweetness.
- Turn It Into A Bowl: Serve over brown rice, quinoa or cauliflower rice for a healthy twist.
- Egg Topping: Add a fried egg with a runny yolk for a traditional Thai-style finish.
- Swap The Protein: Use ground turkey, beef or tofu to fit your dietary preferences.
- Gluten-Free Option: Choose gluten-free soy sauce and fish sauce to keep it gluten-free.
- Vegan Alternative: Replace chicken with crumbled tofu or tempeh and substitute fish sauce with a vegan-friendly sauce.
PREPPING AND STORAGE
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Reheat: Warm in a skillet over medium flame or microwave in short intervals and stirring in between.
- Freezing: It can be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Meal Prep Tip: Cook and portion the stir-fry with rice for an easy grab-and-go lunch.
- Basil Note: Add fresh basil only during final cooking and it doesn’t freeze or reheat well.