Thai Basil Chicken (Gai Pad Krapow) Recipe
A vibrant and flavorful Thai Basil Chicken recipe (Gai Pad Krapow) featuring ground chicken stir-fried with holy basil, garlic, chilies, and a savory, spicy sauce. Perfect served over jasmine rice and optionally topped with a crispy fried egg, this dish delivers authentic Thai street food taste in under 15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients
Sauce Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili-garlic paste (or sambal oelek)
- 1-2 tablespoons water (optional, for saucier consistency)
- Pinch of sugar (optional)
Main Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil (or canola oil or other high temperature oil)
- 1 shallot, sliced
- 2-3 Thai bird's eye chilies or serrano peppers, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 1/2 cups holy basil leaves, loosely packed (Thai basil or Italian basil can be substituted)
For Serving
- Cooked jasmine rice
- Optional crispy fried eggs
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the fish sauce, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, chili-garlic paste, and optional pinch of sugar. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water if a thinner sauce is preferred. Set the sauce aside for later.
- Heat Oil and Aromatics: Heat the vegetable oil over high heat in a wok or large skillet. Add the sliced shallot, chilies, and minced garlic, stir frying for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the ground chicken to the wok and stir fry for 3 to 4 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks, until it is mostly cooked through and starts to crisp slightly.
- Add Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce into the wok with the chicken. Stir fry together for 1 to 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to slightly thicken.
- Incorporate Basil: Add the holy basil leaves and stir fry for 30 seconds to 1 minute until the basil softens and releases its aroma.
- Serve: Serve the Thai basil chicken hot over cooked jasmine rice. Optionally, top each serving with a crispy fried egg for added richness and texture.
Notes
- Bird's eye chilies can be adjusted or substituted with serrano peppers based on preferred spice level.
- Holy basil is traditional for authentic flavor, but Thai basil or Italian basil can be used in a pinch.
- Add water to the sauce for a thinner consistency if desired.
- Serve with jasmine rice and optionally a crispy fried egg to complete the classic Thai street food experience.
- This dish cooks quickly on high heat – prepare all ingredients beforehand to ensure fast stir-frying.
