If you’ve ever wanted to capture the vibrant and oh-so-flavorful essence of Thai street food right in your own kitchen, this Spicy Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai) Recipe is your golden ticket. Bursting with the perfect balance of spicy heat, savory depth, and fresh herbaceous brightness, this dish is a celebration of simple ingredients transforming into something truly spectacular. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just diving into Thai flavors, this recipe promises a quick, satisfying meal that feels like a warm hug from the bustling streets of Bangkok.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this dish lies in its straightforward ingredients, each playing a crucial role in balancing texture, flavor, and color. These pantry staples come together harmoniously to create a bold and comforting meal that’s both authentic and accessible.
- Chicken broth: Adds a subtle savory base and keeps the chicken tender and juicy.
- Oyster sauce: Brings a rich umami punch that enhances the depth of flavor.
- Soy sauce: Provides salty notes to balance the sweetness and heat.
- Fish sauce: A key ingredient for authentic Thai flavor with its distinctive salty aroma.
- White sugar: Lightly sweetens to balance all the savory and spicy elements.
- Brown sugar: Adds a deeper caramelized sweetness that enriches the sauce.
- Vegetable oil: Perfect for high-heat stir-frying to develop that signature caramelization.
- Chicken thighs: Juicy and tender, they soak up the sauce beautifully.
- Shallots: Impart a gentle onion sweetness with a slight crunch.
- Garlic: Essential for that aromatic base and bold flavor.
- Minced Thai chilies: Brings the heat that makes this dish sing—adjust according to your spice tolerance.
- Fresh basil leaves: The fragrant, peppery finish that gives Pad Krapow Gai its unmistakable signature.
- Hot cooked rice: The perfect companion, soaking up every bit of that flavorful sauce.
How to Make Spicy Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai) Recipe
Step 1: Gather your ingredients
Before you start cooking, having everything ready and measured makes the process smooth and enjoyable. This dish cooks quickly, so prep ahead to keep the pace brisk.
Step 2: Whisk the sauce
Combine chicken broth, oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, white sugar, and brown sugar in a bowl and whisk until the sugars dissolve completely. This blend is the heart of your dish, a perfect harmony of sweet, salty, and savory flavors that will coat the chicken beautifully.
Step 3: Stir-fry the chicken
Heat a large skillet over high heat and add the vegetable oil. Toss in the coarsely chopped chicken thighs and stir-fry until they’re just losing their raw color—about 2 to 3 minutes. This high heat seals in the juices for tender, flavorful meat.
Step 4: Add the aromatics
Next, stir in the sliced shallots, minced garlic, and spicy chilies. Cook on high heat until the fragrant mixture caramelizes slightly on the pan’s surface, roughly 2 to 3 minutes, adding those irresistible layers of flavor.
Step 5: Introduce the sauce in stages
Pour about a tablespoon of your sauce mixture into the skillet and cook while stirring until it begins to caramelize, about one minute. This step deepens the flavor and creates a slightly sticky glaze that clings to the chicken.
Step 6: Add the remaining sauce
Pour in the rest of the sauce to deglaze the pan, lifting all those delicious browned bits. Keep cooking and stirring until the sauce thickens into a glossy glaze over the meat, about 1 to 2 minutes, infusing every bite with bold deliciousness.
Step 7: Add the basil
Remove the skillet from heat and fold in the fresh basil leaves. Stir just until wilted, about 20 seconds. That fresh, herbal punch rounds out the dish and adds a vibrant green contrast.
Step 8: Serve hot
Plate the spicy chicken over steaming hot rice and get ready for a meal that will quickly become a beloved favorite!
How to Serve Spicy Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai) Recipe
Garnishes
Adding simple garnishes like a fried egg on top, a wedge of lime for squeezing, or some extra fresh basil can elevate the dish’s presentation and flavor. These little touches bring added texture and freshness that complement the spicy chicken perfectly.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with crisp cucumber slices, a light Thai-style green salad, or even some crunchy pickled vegetables to offset the heat and add balance. The contrast of cool sides with warm, spicy chicken creates a complete and satisfying meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the Spicy Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai) Recipe in a lettuce wrap for a fresh, handheld version or mound fragrant jasmine rice in a bowl and nestle the chicken beside a scoop of cooling coconut yogurt. These presentations add fun and variety when sharing the dish with friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying this vibrant dish, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for up to three days, keeping all those delightful flavors intact.
Freezing
You can freeze Spicy Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai) Recipe for longer storage. Place cooled portions in freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to revive that glossy sauce. Alternatively, a quick zap in the microwave also works well, just be sure to cover it to preserve moisture and avoid drying out the chicken.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts are leaner and will work just fine, though thighs tend to stay juicier and more flavorful when stir-fried at high heat.
How spicy is this dish and can I adjust it?
This recipe is meant to be spicy, thanks to the Thai chilies, but you can always reduce or increase the amount based on your heat preference. Milder peppers or fewer chilies are great for sensitive palates.
Is there a vegetarian version of Pad Krapow Gai?
Yes! Swap chicken with firm tofu or mushrooms and replace fish sauce with soy sauce or a vegetarian-friendly seasoning to create a delicious meat-free version.
What type of basil should I use?
Thai holy basil is traditional and offers a distinct peppery flavor. If unavailable, regular sweet basil works, but the dish’s character will be slightly different.
Can I prepare the sauce mixture ahead of time?
Definitely! Making the sauce in advance saves time on cooking day and allows flavors to meld, making the final dish even tastier.
Final Thoughts
Once you try this Spicy Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai) Recipe, it’s hard not to fall in love with its vibrant, spicy-sweet-salty profile and the sheer joy of cooking something so flavorful in just minutes. It’s a dish that brings warmth to the table and excitement to the palate—perfect for weekday dinners or impressing friends with authentic Thai flair. Give it a whirl and watch it become an instant favorite in your recipe rotation!
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Spicy Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai) Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Thai
Description
A bold and flavorful Spicy Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai) recipe featuring tender chicken thighs stir-fried with aromatic garlic, shallots, and fiery chilies, glazed with a savory-sweet sauce and fresh basil. This quick and easy Thai street food classic is perfect served over steaming hot rice for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Sauce
- 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
Main Ingredients
- 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
To Serve
- 2 cups hot cooked rice
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Collect all the necessary ingredients to ensure a smooth cooking process.
- Prepare Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together chicken broth, oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, white sugar, and brown sugar until fully blended to create the flavorful sauce base.
- Cook Chicken: Heat a large skillet over high heat and drizzle in the vegetable oil. Add the coarsely chopped chicken thighs and stir-fry until the chicken loses its raw pink color, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add Aromatics: Stir in sliced shallots, minced garlic, and minced chilies. Continue cooking over high heat until the juices start to caramelize in the pan, around 2 to 3 minutes.
- Caramelize Sauce: Add about a tablespoon of the prepared sauce mixture to the skillet and cook stirring until the sauce begins to caramelize, roughly 1 minute.
- Deglaze and Glaze: Pour in the remaining sauce, stirring to deglaze the pan bottom. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens and glazes the chicken, about 1 to 2 more minutes. Remove the skillet from heat.
- Add Basil: Stir in the fresh basil leaves and cook just until wilted, about 20 seconds, to lock in their vibrant flavor.
- Serve: Serve the spicy Thai basil chicken immediately over hot cooked rice. Enjoy this authentic Thai street food at home!
Notes
- Adjust the amount of chilies to control the heat level to your preference.
- Use fresh Thai basil for the best authentic flavor; holy basil is the traditional choice if available.
- If chicken broth is unavailable, water plus a pinch of chicken bouillon can be substituted.
- This dish pairs well with a fried egg on top for an authentic Thai experience.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
