Thai basil chicken or pad krapow gai is a delicious, quick, and easy Thai recipe that comes together in less than 15 minutes. Serve this Thai basil chicken stir fry with a fried egg and steamed rice for the ultimate easy weeknight meal.

This super easy Thai basil chicken recipe is so much better than your local Thai takeout spot and only needs one wok and a handful of easy-to-find ingredients. It is also really flavorful, healthy, and packed with protein, making it ideal for meal prepping for the week.

Ingredients

You can find the ingredients for this Thai basil chicken recipe at your local Asian grocery store. Full measurements and links to everything I used are listed in the recipe card below.

• Ground Chicken: ground chicken is the main protein, you can also use other cuts of chicken cut into small bite-sized pieces.
• Garlic and Shallots: garlic and shallots add a deep aromatic flavor.
• Thai bird’s eye chili pepper: Thai chili peppers are very spicy. Adjust the heat level of your dish by adding more or less chili peppers.
• Vegetable Oil: use vegetable oil or any neutral oil with a high smoke point like canola oil, peanut oil, or avocado oil.
• Green onion: adds another aromatic herbal flavor.
• Thai Basil or Holy Basil:  Holy Basil has an intense peppery flavor with hints of licorice and mint. It may be difficult to find. For this recipe, I used Thai basil instead.

Stir Fry Sauce

• Oyster Sauce: adds a deep, savory, tangy flavor to the pad krapow gai.
• Fish Sauce: adds a complex pungent, salty, briny, umami flavor to the Thai basil chicken sauce.
• Soy Sauce: adds a salty umami flavor. For an authentic Thai flavor, use Golden Mountain seasoning sauce.
• Dark Soy Sauce: adds a sweet soy flavor and contributes to the rich dark brown coloring of the minced chicken.
• Sugar: sweetens and balances out the other salty flavors.
• Low Sodium Chicken broth: lightens the deep salty flavors and creates a delicious savory.

Substitutions and Additions

Substitutions

• Protein: instead of ground chicken, you can alternatively use ground beef, ground pork, or ground turkey.
• Vegetarian: for a vegetarian version, you can use tofu, mushrooms, or ground vegan meat. Also, substitute the oyster sauce and fish sauce for vegan alternatives.
• Basil: Holy Basil may be very hard to find. I recommend using Italian basil for a close second.

Additions

• Peppers: for added pepper flavors, you can add sweet chilis, bell peppers, or mild peppers.
• Green beans: Toss in chopped green beans for added vegetable content.

How to Make Thai Basil Chicken

Here are the step-by-step instructions for how to make this Thai basil chicken recipe.

1. In a mixing bowl, add the oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, dark soy sauce, and sugar. Mix until combined.
2. Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add garlic, shallots, and chili peppers and saute for 1 minute or until fragrant.

3. Next, increase the heat to high, add the ground chicken, break it up into smaller pieces, and toss to combine with the aromatics. Spread the chicken out into a single layer and let it sear. Then toss and continue cooking until the chicken is cooked through and lightly charred and all the liquid has evaporated, about 4 minutes.

4. Add the sauce and toss until combined. Then deglaze the pan with chicken stock. Cook until the chicken stock renders down, about 2-3 minutes.

5. Then, add the green parts of the green onions and Thai basil leaves. Toss until just wilted.

5. Serve the Thai basil chicken with steamed rice, cucumber, tomatoes, and a fried egg and enjoy!

Storage Instructions

You can store any leftover Thai basil chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Reheat: Place the pad krapow gai in a wok or pan on the stove and reheat over medium heat until warm. Alternatively, microwave covered until warm.

Freeze: You can freeze the cooled to room temperature chicken in a freezer-safe, airtight container for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

FAQ

Can I use different cuts of chicken?

Yes! Instead of ground chicken, you can use small, bite-sized pieces of chicken thighs or chicken breast. The cooking time may be slightly longer.

Can I use other ground protein for pad kra pow?

Yes! Instead of ground chicken, you can alternatively use pork or beef instead.

What are good alternatives to Holy Basil?

Traditionally, pad krapow gai uses a specific type of basil called holy basil that is very hard to find in grocery stores. Good alternatives to holy basil, include Italian basil or regular Thai basil.

Thai Basil Chicken Recipe