Name: Spicy Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: ⅓ cup chicken broth; 1 tablespoon oyster sauce; 1 tablespoon soy sauce, or as needed; 2 teaspoons fish sauce; 1 teaspoon white sugar; 1 teaspoon brown sugar; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken thighs, coarsely chopped; ¼ cup sliced shallots; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tablespoons minced Thai chilies, Serrano, or other hot pepper; 1 cup very thinly sliced fresh basil leaves; 2 cups hot cooked rice

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A vibrant, aromatic Thai stir-fry that brings together the perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and savory flavors. This classic Pad Krapow Gai features tender chicken, fragrant basil, and a glossy sauce that coats every morsel with deliciousness. Ready in just 25 minutes, it's the perfect weeknight dinner that delivers restaurant-quality Thai food at home.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Thai Basil Chicken recipe is a game-changer for your dinner rotation. The complex flavors develop quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something impressive without spending hours in the kitchen. The combination of aromatic basil, spicy chilies, and umami-rich sauce creates a truly authentic Thai experience. It's customizable to your heat preference and incredibly satisfying when served over steaming rice. Plus, the ingredients are relatively easy to find in most grocery stores, making this exotic dish accessible to home cooks everywhere.

Ingredients

(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Chicken thighs provide the perfect base for this dish with their natural juiciness and rich flavor that stands up well to the bold sauce. They're chopped coarsely to create more surface area for the sauce to cling to, ensuring maximum flavor in every bite.

Basil leaves are the star ingredient that gives this dish its name. While Thai holy basil (bai grapow) is traditional, regular Thai basil or even Italian basil can work in a pinch, though each will provide a slightly different flavor profile.

Chicken broth forms the liquid base of the sauce, adding depth without overwhelming the other flavors.

Oyster sauce contributes a distinctive savory richness and subtle sweetness that's essential for authentic Thai flavor.

Soy sauce adds that umami depth and saltiness that balances the other components in the sauce.

Fish sauce might smell strong on its own, but it's the secret ingredient that gives this dish its authentic Thai character with its unique savory depth.

White and brown sugar work together to balance the heat and saltiness with just the right touch of sweetness.

Vegetable oil is neutral enough to let the other flavors shine while providing the necessary medium for stir-frying.

Shallots offer a milder, sweeter alternative to onions that complements the other aromatics without overpowering them.

Garlic provides essential aromatic flavor that forms the foundation of this dish.

Thai chilies bring the characteristic heat that Thai cuisine is known for, though you can adjust the amount based on your spice tolerance.

Directions

Begin by gathering all your ingredients and preparing them according to the recipe. This step, known as "mise en place," ensures smooth cooking once you start.
In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, white sugar, and brown sugar until well combined. This sauce mixture is the flavor foundation of your dish.
Heat a large skillet over high heat. Once hot, add the vegetable oil and immediately add the chopped chicken thighs. Stir-fry quickly until the chicken loses its raw appearance, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
Add the sliced shallots, minced garlic, and sliced chilies to the chicken. Continue stir-frying over high heat until you notice some caramelization happening at the bottom of the pan, approximately 2-3 more minutes.
Pour about a tablespoon of your prepared sauce into the skillet and stir. This small amount will begin to caramelize, creating deeper flavor. Cook for about 1 minute until you see this happening.
Now add the remaining sauce to the pan. As you stir, the sauce will deglaze the pan, picking up all those flavorful browned bits. Continue cooking until the sauce reduces slightly and coats the chicken with a glossy finish, about 1-2 minutes more.
Remove the pan from heat and immediately stir in the basil leaves. The residual heat will wilt the basil perfectly while preserving its aromatic qualities, taking only about 20 seconds.
Serve your Thai Basil Chicken immediately over hot cooked rice to enjoy it at its peak flavor.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes 2 generous servings, perfect for a couple or an individual with leftovers. The preparation time is approximately 15 minutes, which includes chopping the chicken and measuring the ingredients. The cooking time is remarkably quick at just 10 minutes, making the total time from start to finish about 25 minutes. This makes it an ideal option for weeknight dinners when time is limited but you still want something flavorful and satisfying.

Variations

Protein Swap: While chicken thighs are traditional, this recipe works beautifully with ground chicken, sliced beef, pork, or even tofu for a vegetarian version.

Vegetable Additions: For a more complete one-pan meal, add vegetables like sliced bell peppers, green beans, or bamboo shoots during the stir-frying process.

Heat Level Adjustment: Customize the spiciness by adjusting the amount of chilies. For a milder version, remove the seeds or reduce the quantity. For extra heat, add a dash of chili oil at the end.

Basil Variations: While Thai holy basil is traditional, experiment with Thai sweet basil or even Italian basil for different aromatic profiles.

Crispy Egg Topping: For an authentic Thai street food experience, serve with a crispy fried egg on top, allowing the runny yolk to mix with the sauce.

Noodle Version: Instead of serving with rice, try serving over rice noodles for a Pad Kee Mao (Drunken Noodles) inspired dish.

Storage/Reheating

Refrigeration: Store leftover Thai Basil Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers particularly delicious.

Freezing: While you can freeze this dish for up to 2 months, be aware that the texture of the basil will change upon thawing. For best results, consider adding fresh basil when reheating if you plan to freeze the dish.

Reheating: Gently reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of chicken broth to revitalize the sauce. Alternatively, microwave on medium power, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Either way, be careful not to overheat, as this can toughen the chicken.

Make-Ahead Tips: You can prepare the sauce mixture and chop the chicken and aromatics a day ahead, storing them separately in the refrigerator to make cooking even faster when you're ready to prepare the dish.

FAQs

What is the difference between Thai basil and regular basil?

Thai basil has a more pronounced anise or licorice flavor compared to Italian sweet basil. It also has purple stems and holds up better to heat without wilting immediately. While Thai holy basil (bai grapow) is traditional for this dish, Thai sweet basil or even Italian basil can work as substitutes, though each will provide a slightly different flavor profile.

Can I make this dish less spicy?

Absolutely! The heat comes primarily from the Thai chilies, so you can easily adjust by reducing the quantity or removing the seeds, which contain most of the heat. For very mild preferences, you could even substitute with a small amount of bell pepper for the color and crunch without the spice.

What can I substitute for fish sauce?

While fish sauce provides an authentic flavor that's difficult to replicate, in a pinch you can substitute with additional soy sauce mixed with a small amount of anchovy paste. For a vegetarian option, try using a combination of soy sauce and a little mushroom broth concentrate to achieve some of that umami depth.

Is it necessary to use chicken thighs, or can I use chicken breast?

You can definitely substitute chicken breast, though chicken thighs are preferred for their higher fat content, which keeps the meat juicy in the high-heat cooking environment. If using breast meat, be extra careful not to overcook it, as it can dry out more quickly than thigh meat.

What should I serve with Thai Basil Chicken?

While steamed jasmine rice is the traditional accompaniment, you could also serve it with brown rice, cauliflower rice, or rice noodles. For a complete meal, consider adding a simple cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar or a clear broth soup on the side.

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Yes! You can substitute the chicken with firm tofu, tempeh, or a mixture of mushrooms for a vegetarian version. Replace the fish sauce and oyster sauce with vegetarian alternatives like soy sauce, mushroom sauce, or vegetarian "fish" sauce, which are available in many Asian grocery stores.

How do I know when the chicken is properly cooked?

The chicken pieces should no longer show any pink color, and if you cut into a larger piece, the juices should run clear. Because the chicken is cut into small pieces, it cooks very quickly—usually within 5-6 minutes total.

Can I prepare any components of this dish ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the sauce mixture up to three days ahead and store it in the refrigerator. The chicken and aromatics can be chopped and stored separately a day in advance. This makes the actual cooking process extremely quick when you're ready to make the dish.

Is this dish gluten-free?

Standard oyster sauce and soy sauce contain gluten, but you can easily make this dish gluten-free by substituting with gluten-free tamari and gluten-free oyster sauce, both of which are widely available in stores.

How authentic is this Thai Basil Chicken recipe?

This recipe captures the essential elements of traditional Pad Krapow Gai, though authentic versions in Thailand would typically use holy basil (harder to find outside Asia) and might include more chilies for a spicier result. The balance of sweet, salty, and spicy flavors remains true to the dish's Thai origins.

Conclusion

This Spicy Thai Basil Chicken recipe brings the vibrant flavors of Thai street food right to your dinner table with minimal effort. The fragrant combination of basil, chilies, and savory sauce creates a dish that's both comforting and exciting. What makes this recipe particularly special is how quickly it comes together while still delivering complex, authentic flavors. Whether you're a longtime fan of Thai cuisine or just beginning to explore these flavors, this approachable version of Pad Krapow Gai is sure to become a regular in your meal rotation. Serve it over steaming rice for a satisfying dinner that transports you straight to the bustling streets of Bangkok.