Rating: 3.66
(94)

Spicy Thai Basil Chicken

August 1, 2024

Spicy Thai Basil Chicken, or Gai Pad Krapow, is a vibrant and aromatic dish that brings the heat and flavor of Thai cuisine to your kitchen. Known for its bold combination of spicy chilies, savory garlic, and fresh basil, this dish offers a perfect balance of heat, sweet, and savory flavors that tantalize the taste buds. It’s a quick and easy recipe that delivers a flavorful punch in every bite.

The star ingredient of this dish is the fresh basil, which adds a fragrant, slightly peppery flavor that is essential to the authentic taste of Thai basil chicken. The chicken is typically stir-fried with garlic, shallots, and Thai bird’s eye chilies, creating a flavorful base. The heat from the chilies is tempered by a savory sauce made with soy sauce, fish sauce, and a touch of sugar, creating a perfect balance of spicy, salty, and sweet notes.

One of the key components that elevate this dish is the crispy bits of chicken, which are stir-fried to perfection. The crispy edges paired with the tender, juicy chicken create a delightful texture that complements the bold sauce. Adding a fried egg on top of the dish is a common practice in Thailand, adding richness and an extra layer of flavor to the meal.

Spicy Thai Basil Chicken is incredibly versatile. You can adjust the level of spiciness to suit your taste by using fewer or more chilies. The dish is typically served with steamed jasmine rice, which helps to balance the heat and soak up the flavorful sauce. It’s also great with a side of stir-fried vegetables, making it a complete meal that is satisfying and full of vibrant flavors.

This dish is not only delicious but also quick to prepare, making it a perfect weeknight meal when you want something flavorful without spending hours in the kitchen. The combination of spicy chilies, savory garlic, and aromatic basil creates a dish that is both comforting and exciting.

Spicy Thai Basil Chicken
Spicy Thai Basil Chicken
3.66 from 94 votes
Spicy Thai Basil Chicken, also known as Pad Krapow Gai, is a classic street food dish in Thailand. This dish combines minced chicken with spicy Thai chilies, garlic, and the aromatic Thai basil, all stir-fried to perfection and usually served over rice with a fried egg on top. It’s a vibrant, spicy, and aromatic dish that’s quick and easy to make but loaded with delicious flavors.
Servings 1 people
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup chicken breast minced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 pieces Thai chilies sliced
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 teaspoon fish sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 cup Thai basil leaves
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions
 

  • Heat the vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat.
  • Add the garlic and Thai chilies. Stir-fry until fragrant.
  • Add the minced chicken and cook until it’s no longer pink.
  • Add the soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and sugar. Stir well to combine.
  • Add the Thai basil leaves and continue to cook until they are wilted.
  • Serve hot, usually over rice with a fried egg on top.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 29gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 8mg
Calories: 300kcal
Meal Type: Lunch
Cuisine: Thai
Keyword: spicy dishes, street food, Thai cuisine
Cooking Method: Baked
Time: <30 Min
Level: Easy
Tried this recipe?Mention @coolinarco or tag #coolinarco!
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Join the Conversation
  1. 5 stars
    Yummy😋! Could eat this every day!! Made a big batch and shared with friends!

  2. User avatar gonzalo.mertz99 says:

    4 stars
    Very easy to make and delicious! My kids loved it.

  3. User avatar carmel.stark says:

    5 stars
    This was AMAZING! The flavors were spot on. Will make again!

  4. User avatar patrica.bergnaum78 says:

    2 stars
    Is this really Thai food? It just tastes like soy sauce. Meh.

  5. User avatar marjorie.kemmer says:

    2 stars
    Why do ppl like fish sauce? It smells weird! I’d rather just use soy sauce.

  6. 2 stars
    I dunno, I feel like thi recipe is missing some flavors, like lime or something, ya know?

  7. 5 stars
    Yummy! Reminds me of my trip to Thailand! Eat it with a fried egg for real.

  8. User avatar tabitha.kulas says:

    5 stars
    This was amazing!!! The flavor is on point! Definitely a go-to recipe now.

  9. User avatar darwin.gulgowski16 says:

    4 stars
    Simple and delicious, but why is there fish sauce? Can’t we just use soy sauce?

  10. User avatar smartestRedditor says:

    5 stars
    Yum! What can I say? Thai food is the best. 🌶️

  11. User avatar stevie.white67 says:

    5 stars
    Quick and tasty! I love basil! 🌿

  12. User avatar elicia.rice1958 says:

    2 stars
    Cooked it for the first time and it was a disaster 😩. Way too salty!

  13. User avatar ned.legros says:

    3 stars
    I made it but got confused with the fish sauce. It’s so weird! What is that even???

  14. User avatar Mr. Florentino McDermott says:

    1 star
    How do you make it less spicy? This burned my mouth!

  15. User avatar wava.walter20 says:

    1 star
    Sounds good but I don’t have oyster sauce. Can I use soy sauce only? Help!

  16. User avatar wilbur.kunde says:

    5 stars
    This is the best chicken recipe! I added more chilies. So good!

  17. 2 stars
    This looks complicated… I might stick to takeout lol.

  18. User avatar rich.landlord says:

    4 stars
    Used chicken thighs instead because they were on sale, turned out great!

    1. User avatar dalton.nitzsche says:

      5 stars
      Chicken thighs are a good substitute! I’ve done that before too, they stay juicier.

  19. 2 stars
    I don’t think this is authentic. Real Thai food uses way more chilies! This was too mild for my taste.

    1. User avatar lyndia.beier says:

      4 stars
      I get where you’re coming from, but not all Thai dishes are super spicy. This one is more about the flavor of the basil! 🌿

  20. 5 stars
    Yum! I never knew about Thai basil until now. This was a game changer for me.

  21. User avatar angila.leannon43 says:

    5 stars
    This recipe was awesome! The flavors are just perfect. Definitely making it again!

    1. 5 stars
      I’m so glad you liked it! The flavors are just unbeatable. What do you plan to serve it with next time?

    2. User avatar gillian.hane2018 says:

      3 stars
      Cool! But why is it called spicy? I didn’t think it was that hot. Maybe I did somethin’ wrong?

  22. 1 star
    Where do I find Thai basil? I looked everywhere and only found the regular stuff. Help!

    1. User avatar rivka.ondricka44 says:

      5 stars
      You can usually find Thai basil at Asian grocery stores. They often have it fresh! Good luck!

  23. 3 stars
    I tried it but it was too spicy for my taste. I might reduce the chilies next time.

  24. User avatar milford.williamson22 says:

    5 stars
    My family loved it! I served it with rice and a fried egg, just like the recipe said!

  25. 3 stars
    This is not really authentic.. where’s the lime? 🤔

  26. User avatar clayton.kohler96 says:

    4 stars
    Isn’t fish sauce made from fish? I really couldn’t taste it lol. Still good tho.

  27. User avatar johnny.lebsack93 says:

    5 stars
    Just like my mom makes! Brings back sweet memories of Thailand. ❤️

    1. 5 stars
      This sounds amazing! I love Thai food! Can’t wait to try it.

  28. 5 stars
    This was amazing! So full of flavor. Will make again.

  29. 2 stars
    Was expecting better. Seemed a little bland. Needs more seasonin.

  30. 4 stars
    Quick and easy! Made it in 20 mins. Great for busy nights.

  31. User avatar eddie.kuhlman76 says:

    4 stars
    Super easy to make and so tasty! My kids loved it too. Will definitely make again!

  32. User avatar otto.klocko says:

    4 stars
    Could you use chicken thighs instead of breast? Might make it juicier!

  33. User avatar Falmer Spellsword says:

    3 stars
    Wife loved it, me not so much. Too spicy for my taste. But I guess that’s personal.

    1. User avatar abraham.connelly49 says:

      4 stars
      I totally get it! Spicy food really isn’t for everyone. But glad your wife enjoyed it!

    2. User avatar Ahmed Hayes says:

      3 stars
      Too spicy? You must’ve used too many chilies! 😂 Next time, just adjust the amount!

  34. User avatar margorie.romaguera says:

    2 stars
    I don’t think fish sauce is necessary. Didn’t like the smell of the dish.

  35. User avatar Miss So Fisher says:

    2 stars
    I don’t get why everyone loves this. It’s just chicken and spices. 🤷‍♂️

    1. 5 stars
      Maybe you just haven’t tasted it right? It’s so flavorful with all the sauces and spices! 🌶️

  36. 3 stars
    Not bad, but I’m not much of a cook. Took me ages to prep all that!

  37. User avatar tillie.wunsch says:

    4 stars
    Super easy to make! I added some veggies too. Yum!

  38. User avatar toshiko.von6 says:

    5 stars
    Delicious! 🔥🔥 Want to eat it every day!

  39. User avatar tuan.kshlerin65 says:

    4 stars
    This is simple! I didn’t have thai basil so used regular basil – still tasted great, haha!

  40. User avatar Shadowfax says:

    5 stars
    This was amazing! My family loved it. Will definitely make again!

    1. User avatar Ms. Rudolph Feest says:

      5 stars
      I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It’s one of my favorites too! 😍

    2. User avatar suzette.kozey1984 says:

      3 stars
      This sounds good but I dunno if my kids will eat it with all that spice. Maybe I’ll try less chilies?

  41. 3 stars
    I followed the recipe but it turned out too spicy for me! Maybe less chilies next time.

    1. User avatar dusty.bailey says:

      4 stars
      Yeah, Thai food can be really spicy. I suggest using just one chili next time, or maybe even bell peppers for flavor without the heat! 🍳

    2. User avatar tania.dicki15 says:

      3 stars
      Spicy? I thought it was perfect! But I guess everyone has their own tolerance. Just adjust it to your taste next time.

  42. User avatar Flame Atronach says:

    3 stars
    I don’t think it tastes like Thai food. Needs something more. Maybe coconut milk?

    1. User avatar Evelynn says:

      4 stars
      I actually think it’s pretty close! The flavors are strong, but I can see how it might feel lacking. Coconut milk could definitely add a creamier texture! 🤔

    2. User avatar geoWizard says:

      2 stars
      Nah, I love it just the way it is! Don’t mess with perfection! But hey, you do you. 🤷‍♂️

  43. User avatar Peregrin Took says:

    3 stars
    I tried it but felt it needed more spice. Maybe add more chilies next time?

  44. User avatar roseann.schuster45 says:

    4 stars
    Success! But missed the fried egg. A must-have for sure next time.

  45. User avatar jerrell.mueller says:

    2 stars
    Too salty and my chicken was tough. Not sure if I did it wrong, but it was a no-go for me.

  46. User avatar kendrick.lehner67 says:

    5 stars
    This is my go-to recipe for a quick dinner! So easy and packs a punch. Love it!

  47. User avatar Samira Schmidt says:

    3 stars
    I just threw it all together, not sure if I did it right, but it tasted alright haha!

  48. User avatar phil.kunze2021 says:

    2 stars
    I don’t know what I did wrong, but mine turned into a mushy mess. Help!

  49. User avatar chase.yundt1962 says:

    4 stars
    Pretty good! But I’m allergic to chicken so I used tofu instead and it was still nice.

    1. User avatar rene.rolfson48 says:

      4 stars
      Glad the tofu worked out for you! I’ve heard it can be a great substitute. Gonna try it next time!

    2. 3 stars
      Yeah but tofu ain’t the same as chicken, right? Like, it’s still good but, you know, different vibes. 🤔

  50. User avatar jeramy.kertzmann1970 says:

    3 stars
    This was super spicy! I should have gone easy on the chilies!

    1. User avatar erasmo.cummings1978 says:

      4 stars
      I know right! The chilies can be killer. Next time, maybe try just one? 😅

  51. User avatar MAGA2024.Trumpster says:

    3 stars
    Not spicy enough for my taste. I added more chilies and it was better.

    1. 5 stars
      I totally agree! I added extra chilies too and it made a huge difference. Spicy food is the best!

  52. User avatar Cecil Mayert says:

    4 stars
    Wasn’t sure about the fish sauce at first but it really brings out the flavor! Gonna make this again!

  53. User avatar Scottie Stehr says:

    4 stars
    I ain’t got no Thai basil, used regular basil instead. Still tastes alright.

  54. User avatar marcia.cartwright says:

    5 stars
    Went to Thailand once and had this dish, this recipe brings back memoreez!

  55. User avatar gregg.skiles says:

    4 stars
    Great recipe! But are Thai chilies really necessary? I used bell peppers instead.

  56. User avatar chas.gusikowski says:

    4 stars
    Delicious recipe! I didn’t have Thai basil but used regular basil instead. Still yummy!

  57. User avatar ALTplusF4 says:

    5 stars
    5 stars! I added some lime juice at the end and it’s perfect for summer!

  58. User avatar jonas.herzog52 says:

    2 stars
    Pretty good, but my wife said it tasted weird. Not sure if I’ll make it again.

    1. User avatar mozelle.jaskolski26 says:

      4 stars
      Maybe your wife just isn’t a fan of strong flavors? I think it’s delicious!

    2. 3 stars
      Weird tasting? I loved it, but guess everyone’s palate is different. Did you follow the recipe?

  59. User avatar mitchel.mueller72 says:

    3 stars
    I found it a bit too spicy for my taste. Maybe less chilies next time?

  60. User avatar cornell.howell42 says:

    5 stars
    So good I could eat this every day! Those flavors are just perfect!

  61. User avatar evangeline.kiehn1952 says:

    4 stars
    Sooo simple and delicious! I used leftover chicken and it turned out great.

  62. 5 stars
    Spicy but not burning! Just perfect for me. I’m making it again tomorrow!

  63. User avatar germaine.kohler1986 says:

    5 stars
    Wow, who knew such simple ingredients could make something this good??? 😍

  64. User avatar Spider Worker says:

    5 stars
    I loved the basil flavor! This recipe is authentic and just like what I’ve had in Thailand.

    1. User avatar rupert.funk says:

      5 stars
      Totally agree! The basil really makes it shine. Thai food is the best!

    2. User avatar louisa.nader94 says:

      3 stars
      Authentic? I’m not so sure… I thought Thai basil was supposed to taste different? 🤔

  65. User avatar connie.lowe43 says:

    5 stars
    Yummy!!!

  66. User avatar rod.daugherty1956 says:

    1 star
    why do you need sugar in chicken?? that’s just strange. Didn’t taste right.

  67. User avatar tristan.boehm says:

    1 star
    Don’t trust this recipe! My chicken ended up raw. Gross!

  68. User avatar magali.mayer99 says:

    4 stars
    Tasty! But didn’t have basil, used spinach and it still turned out okay.

  69. User avatar basementDweller says:

    2 stars
    Could’ve been better. The fish sauce is overpowering – next time I’ll skip it.

  70. User avatar nicky.satterfield92 says:

    3 stars
    Too much basil! I had to add more chicken just to balance it out. 3 stars.

  71. User avatar emilio.ryan65 says:

    5 stars
    My family loved this! Definitely a keeper in my recipe book.

3.66 from 94 votes
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