Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai) is a flavorful, aromatic stir-fry that perfectly balances savory, spicy, and slightly sweet notes. This dish is a beloved Thai street food, known for its bold flavors and the fragrant kick of Thai basil. It combines tender pieces of chicken, often minced or sliced, with fresh basil leaves, chili peppers, and garlic in a savory sauce made from soy sauce, fish sauce, and a touch of sugar for balance. Served with steamed jasmine rice, this dish makes a satisfying and vibrant meal in no time.
The star ingredient in Thai Basil Chicken is the fresh Thai basil. It has a slightly peppery flavor with hints of anise and clove, which adds depth and brightness to the dish. When cooked quickly in the stir-fry, the basil wilts and releases its aromatic oils, creating a fragrant and mouth-watering base. The heat from the fresh chilies brings a spicy kick, while the garlic and shallots offer savory richness.
The chicken in this dish can be finely minced or thinly sliced. Minced chicken tends to absorb the flavors of the sauce better and cooks quickly, making it ideal for this fast-paced stir-fry. The sauce itself is a combination of fish sauce, soy sauce, and a bit of sugar. The fish sauce brings umami and saltiness, while the sugar balances the savory elements with a hint of sweetness. You can adjust the heat level by using more or fewer chilies, depending on your preference.
This dish is incredibly quick and easy to prepare, typically taking just 15-20 minutes to cook. It’s a great option for a weeknight dinner when you want something flavorful yet simple. The only real prep required is chopping the chicken, garlic, and chilies, and picking fresh basil leaves. Once the ingredients are prepped, the stir-frying process is fast, ensuring that the chicken stays juicy and tender while the flavors meld together.
Thai Basil Chicken is best served with steamed jasmine rice, which soaks up the sauce beautifully. Some variations of the dish also include a fried egg on top, which adds richness and extra texture. If you want to amp up the flavor, you can serve it with a side of crispy fried shallots or extra chili slices for an additional spicy kick.
Ingredients
- 200 grams chicken breast sliced into thin strips
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 red chili peppers sliced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 cup Thai basil leaves
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the minced garlic and red chili peppers; sauté until fragrant.
- Add the sliced chicken breast to the pan and cook until the chicken is no longer pink.
- Stir in the soy sauce, fish sauce, and sugar; mix well to combine the flavors.
- Add the Thai basil leaves and stir until they wilt.
- Serve hot with steamed rice.
I was skeptical about the fish sauce… but it really brought the dish together. Will make again!
This was amazing! The flavors were spot on. My whole family loved it!
Easy to make, really quick dinner. I used regular basil though, hope that’s ok!
I don’t get it. Is it really that good? Seems too simple to be tasty.
Why is it called Thai Basil Chicken if we just use regular basil? LOL. Confusing… 3 stars.
Lol, I thought the same thing at first! But trust me, if you use the right basil, it makes a big difference. Just curious, have you tried it? 5 stars!
I get what you’re saying! But Thai basil has a different flavor than regular basil. It’s got a bit of sweetness and a hint of spice. 4 stars!
I don’t have Thai basil, so I used regular basil and it turned out weird. Not sure I recommend this.
My kids loved it! I didn’t have fish sauce, so I used oyster sauce instead and it turned out great. Thanks for sharing! 😊 4 stars.
Great to hear your kids enjoyed it! Using oyster sauce is a clever swap. I’ve done that too and it works well. 🍽️
Oyster sauce instead of fish sauce? Isn’t that a bit off? I mean, it’s totally different! 🤔
This recipe is AMAZING! The flavors are so vibrant. Can’t wait to make it again!
Super yummy!! But I didn’t have Thai basil, so I used regular basil. Still good!!
Too much garlic for my taste. Next time I’ll use less.
Too spicy for me! I omitted the chili peppers and it’s still too much. Be careful if you can’t handle the heat!
I love spicy food but I get it, some people can’t handle it! Maybe try adding more sugar or something to balance it out!
I thought it was fine, my friends all love it. Maybe you’re just not used to spicy?
What’s the difference between soy sauce and fish sauce? Can’t I just use more soy? Asking for a friend.
Soy sauce is made from fermented soybeans, while fish sauce is made from fermented fish. They have different flavors, so it’s not always a good idea to just use more soy. Trust me, the fish sauce adds a unique kick to dishes like this one! 😊
This is too spicy for me. I used one chili but I think I should’ve used none. 😣
I tried this but I think I put in too much fish sauce… it was super salty. Maybe I’ll try again with less next time.
This looks way easy. I might try it. But what can use instead of red chili? I don’t like spicy.
You can try using bell peppers or even sugar snap peas instead of red chili! They won’t add spice but will keep some crunch. Enjoy your cooking!
Thai basil??? What is that? I just used regular basil and it was still good. Lol!
Regular basil works too, but true Thai basil has a unique flavor! Still, glad you enjoyed it! 🤗
Nah, Thai basil is way different! Its got that nice anise flavor. But hey, if you liked it, who am I to judge? 😂
It was okay, but the chicken got kinda dry for me. Not sure if I did it right.
This is the best Thai recipe I have tried! So flavorful and easy to make. 5 stars!
I totally agree! This recipe is super tasty and quick to whip up. Love the flavors!
It’s okay, but I found it a bit too salty. Maybe less soy sauce next time?
Just made this for my husband. He loved it!!! Thanks, now I am a chef!
Looks good but sounds a bit spicy for me. Do you think it could be less hot with more sugar?
That’s awesome! Glad to hear your husband loved it! You must be a natural chef! 🍽️
I hate fish sauce. Can I use ketchup instead? 🤔
Me no like chicken. Can I use beef instead? 🤔
This recipe is sooo delicious! The flavors are spot on.
Looks good, but isn’t this just stir fry? Not really Thai, in my opinion.
Quick and easy! My kids loved it. We’ll definitely add it to our dinner rotation.
I followed the recipe but found it a bit too salty. Maybe less soy sauce next time?
This is my go-to recipe for a quick dinner! Tastes just like the ones from my favorite Thai restaurant!
Easy to make, and the taste is delightful! I love the combination of flavors.
I totally agree! This recipe was super easy and delicious. Can’t wait to make it again!
Easy to make, but my chicken turned out dry. Maybe I cooked it too long?
Soo good!!! First time cooking chicken and it tasted restaurant quality! 😍
The recipe is missing the most important part! What about all the carbs? I need rice lol.
I dunno, I followed the recipe and it was kinda bland. Maybe I needed more spice? Not sure I’ll make it again. 2 stars.
I finally tried it, and wow, I can’t believe how quick it was to make. Thumbs up!
This is the bomb! I served it with jasmine rice and it paired perfectly!
Delicious!!! Going to make it again this weekend. Perfect with rice!
Yummm! I added some bell peppers for crunch. Made it more colorful.
I don’t like Thai food 😒. Not my thing but my husband loved it.
I’m sorry to hear that! I used to not like Thai food either, but this recipe changed my mind. Maybe give it another try?
Yeah, Thai food ain’t for everyone. But your husband seems to have good taste! 🎉
Did not turn out as expected. Chicken was bland and sauce didn’t mix well.
Can I use regular basil? Don’t wanna buy Thai basil, it’s expensive!
I don’t think fish sauce is necessary, it kinda ruins it for me. Just soy sauce is fine.
Can you do it with tofu instead of chicken? I’m vegetarian but love the flavors.
Absolutely! Just replace the chicken with tofu and follow the same steps. Tofu soaks up flavors like a sponge!
Quick and easy recepie! I just threw everything in and it was still good. 5 stars.
I found it too spicy, maybe use less chili next time.
Tasted good but I think it was the wrong chicken? 🤔 or maybe I just messed up.
Quick and delicious! Made it in under 20 minutes. Thanks for sharing!
This was fantastic! Just like my favorite Thai place. Will definitely make again!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! The Thai basil does add such a unique flavor, doesn’t it?
Yum! Could eat this every day. I added some peanuts for crunch. So good!