What ingredients do I need to make authentic Thai Basil Chicken?

To make authentic Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai), you’ll need ground chicken, fresh Thai basil leaves, garlic, fresh Thai bird’s eye chilies, soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and vegetable oil. Some recipes also include a splash of water and a fried egg to serve on top. Using fresh Thai basil and bird’s eye chilies is key for the dish’s signature flavor and aroma.

How do I cook Thai Basil Chicken quickly at home?

To cook Thai Basil Chicken quickly, heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Sauté minced garlic and chopped chilies until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add ground chicken and stir-fry until fully cooked, around 4-5 minutes. Mix in soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, and a pinch of sugar, cooking for another 1-2 minutes. Finally, stir in fresh Thai basil leaves just before removing from heat to keep their flavor vibrant. Serve immediately with steamed rice.

Can I substitute chicken with other proteins in Thai Basil Chicken?

Yes, you can substitute chicken with ground pork, turkey, beef, or tofu to make variations of Thai Basil Chicken. Ground pork and turkey offer similar texture and flavor profiles, while tofu is a great vegetarian alternative. When using tofu, press and crumble it before cooking, and consider adding a bit more soy sauce or mushroom sauce to enhance umami flavors.

How spicy is traditional Thai Basil Chicken, and can I adjust the heat?

Traditional Thai Basil Chicken is moderately spicy due to fresh bird’s eye chilies, which pack a strong heat. You can adjust the spiciness by reducing the number of chilies or removing their seeds before cooking. For a milder version, substitute with milder chili varieties or use less chili altogether. Balancing the heat with a bit of sugar and soy sauce also helps mellow the spice.

What side dishes pair well with Thai Basil Chicken?

Thai Basil Chicken pairs well with steamed jasmine rice, which helps balance the dish’s spicy and savory flavors. You can also serve it with a simple cucumber salad to add a refreshing crunch or a fried egg on top for extra richness. Additional sides like Thai-style papaya salad (som tam) or clear vegetable soup complement this dish for a complete meal.

Thai Basil Chicken: 5 Minute Bold Quick Flavour Recipe

Name: Thai Basil Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: – 225 g skinless, boneless chicken thigh fillets, cut into bite-size pieces; – 1 green onion, sliced into 4-cm sections; separate white and green parts; – 1 cup loosely packed Thai basil leaves (holy basil preferred; regular basil acceptable); – 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped (not minced); – 1 bird’s eye (Thai) chilli, seeds removed and finely chopped; – 1 ½ Tbsp neutral oil (e.g., peanut, vegetable, or canola); – 2 tsp oyster-style sauce (non-branded); – 1 tsp light soy sauce; – 1 tsp dark soy sauce (or all-purpose soy); – 1 tsp granulated sugar; – 2 Tbsp water

Ingredients

– 225 g skinless, boneless chicken thigh fillets, cut into bite-size pieces

– 1 green onion, sliced into 4-cm sections; separate white and green parts

– 1 cup loosely packed Thai basil leaves (holy basil preferred; regular basil acceptable)

– 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped (not minced)

– 1 bird’s eye (Thai) chilli, seeds removed and finely chopped

– 1 ½ Tbsp neutral oil (e.g., peanut, vegetable, or canola)

– 2 tsp oyster-style sauce (non-branded)

– 1 tsp light soy sauce

– 1 tsp dark soy sauce (or all-purpose soy)

– 1 tsp granulated sugar

– 2 Tbsp water

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1-Prepare all ingredients: Prepare all ingredients by finely chopping the garlic and chilli, slicing the green onion, and measuring out the sauces and oil.

2-Heat the oil: Heat the oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering.

3-Add the chopped garlic and chilli: Add the chopped garlic and chilli; stir for about 10 seconds, keeping an eye on it to avoid splatter.

4-Add the white part of the green onion followed by the chicken pieces: stir-fry until the chicken is cooked through, roughly 2 minutes.

5-Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken: continue cooking for 1 minute, letting the liquid reduce to a thick, glossy coating.

6-Toss in the green onion tops and the basil leaves: stir briefly until the basil just wilts.

7-Serve immediately over steamed rice: like jasmine, with optional fresh sides such as cucumber and tomato slices.

Notes

🌿 Use holy basil for authentic anise‑like flavor; regular basil works as a substitute.
🔪 Finely chop garlic instead of mincing to reduce burning and splatter.
💧 When scaling the recipe, omit the added water to keep the sauce from thinning.

Author: Brandi Oshea
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stir‑fry (wok)
Cuisine: Thai
Diet: Omnivore

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories: 360
Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 588 mg
Fat: 29 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 5 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 19 g
Cholesterol: 110 mg