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Easy Thai Basil Chicken Stir Fry | Pad Kraprow Gai

Published: Dec 24, 2021 by Enozia Zehra · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Thai Basil Chicken PIN (3)
Thai Basil Chicken PIN (2)
Thai Basil Chicken PIN (1)

There are very few recipes in the world that need just a few simple ingredients and a little kitchen time to come out looking insanely delicious, and this Thai basil chicken recipe aka Pad Kraprow Gai is one of them. 

white plate with rice and thai basil chicken on black table
Jump to:
  • Pad Kraprow Gai
  • Ingredients For the Thai Basil Chicken
  • Kitchen Tools Needed
  • How to Make the Thai Basil Chicken
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Tips & Tricks to Make the Thai Basil Chicken 
  • Easy Thai Basil Chicken Stir Fry | Pad Kraprow Gai

Pad Kraprow Gai

With simple ingredients you likely already have on hand, this recipe comes together in minutes. You'll love the balance of salty and sweet with just enough heat from the chilies to warm the dish. It's ideal for serving with rice but could also be served alone, over cauliflower rice, or with your favorite vegetable side dishes.

If you like the idea of more stir fry in your menu, make sure you also check out this aloo gobi which is an Indian potato and cauliflower similar to a stir fry.

Give this easy recipe a try once and you’ll find yourself wondering why you’ve been ordering takeout all this while. 

round white plate of rice and chiken on slate grey table with fork beside plate

Variations of Thai Basil Chicken Stir Fry

The beauty of this stir fry is that you can tweak it around a lot, and play with the flavors and additions depending on what you have at hand, and it’ll still come out just as delicious. This recipe uses shallots to get a nice element of crunch into the recipe, and a delicious fresh flavor. You can also add in some more veggies of your choice to make it a healthier meal. Here are some good ideas. 

  • Bell peppers
  • Green beans 
  • Zucchini 
  • Baby corn 
  • Mushrooms 
  • Carrots 
  • Asparagus 
  • Broccoli florets 
  • Bok choy
  • Red onions 
chicken and basil on white table with rice on black table next to fork

Ingredients For the Thai Basil Chicken

If you’ve been experimenting with Thai and Asian cooking, you’re probably going to have all these ingredients in your pantry, ready to go!

  • ⅓ cup chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 chicken thighs
  • ¼ cup shallots
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon Thai chili
  • 1 cup fresh basil

Kitchen Tools Needed

  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Wok or large skillet
  • Wok spatula
plate of rice and chicken on black table

How to Make the Thai Basil Chicken

In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, and brown sugar, then set it aside.

bowl of sauce on black table

In a wok or large pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook, stirring regularly, for 2 to 3 minutes.

raw chicken thighs in skillet with oil

Add in the shallots, chiles, and garlic, stir and continue cooking for 1 minute.

chicken on one side of skillet with chiles and onions on other side of skillet

Next, add ½ of the sauce mixture and stir to combine. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until it begins to caramelize.

small black skillet with chicken and chiles on black table

Add the rest of the sauce, and continue cooking for 4 to 5 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

sauce in skillet with chicken thighs

Reduce the heat to low and add in the basil and stir. Continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes, until the basil has wilted.

shredded basil on top of cooked chicken in skillet

Serve with rice.

chicken in black skillet sitting on black table

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Basil Do I Need to Use?

For this recipe, it is best to use the Holy Thai basil. It has a nice, intense flavor with a bit of a spicy kick to it, and is great for all your Thai culinary creations. If you can’t get your hands on it, you can use the Italian basil, no doubt. 

Can I Use Another Cut of Chicken?

The reason this recipe calls for chicken thighs is that it is the softest, most tender cut of meat. This also makes it incredibly quick to cook, and you’ll also get a lot of flavor into your recipe. 

However, if you’ve got chicken breasts, you could use them too instead of the thighs. Just make sure you cut them into those perfect little strips or cubes, and cook them well. 

How Do I Store the Leftovers?

This dish is super easy to make and store. If you’ve got leftovers, just transfer them to an airtight container and put them in the refrigerator. These can stay good in there for 3-5 days. Then, all you need to do is get it out, microwave it or reheat it in a pan, and serve! 

Can I Make & Freeze This is For Later?

Yes, you totally can! This easy freezer-friendly meal can be your savior for those days when you don’t feel like cooking a lot. Just make sure you’re using a freezer-safe container to store it so that it doesn’t end up having the freezer burn. 

chicken in skillet with white plate of rice in background

Tips & Tricks to Make the Thai Basil Chicken 

Ready to give this Thai basil chicken a shot? Keep these little tips and tricks in mind to really take the recipe up a notch. 

  • If you don’t have the Thai bird chilies that this recipe calls for, you can substitute them with another kind of chili. Of course, getting the real thing is definitely a good idea, but if you don’t want to go for a grocery run, some hot chilies can make for a good swap. 
  • Honey can act as a great substitute for brown sugar in this recipe. It can lend the dish that subtle touch of sweetness that you’re looking to get. 
  • Make sure you use the same skillet or pan to cook all the ingredients. This will help keep all the flavors intact. 
  • Got some ground chicken? You can use that too instead of the cubed chicken, and the flavors will be just as delicious. 
  • You can also try this stir fry in a seafood version. Use medium-sized deveined prawns and reduce the cooking time by a minute or two! 

Serving Ideas & Suggestions

Traditionally, this Thai basil chicken tastes best when served on a bed of Jasmine rice, but if you really want to go all out and team it up with some more Thai foods and sides, here are a few good ideas. 

  • Serving the chicken with the no-fail combination of Jasmine rice, but still, want something on the side? Whip up a quick coleslaw with some Asian flavors and a light dressing. 
  • If you don’t have the time to put the coleslaw together, you can also just serve it with a simple side salad of sliced cucumbers and red onions or try some tangy Japanese cucumber salad. 
  • You can also try whipping up a Thai green papaya salad if you’re trying to keep it authentic. 
  • Want to try out an entire Thai spread for the weekend? Team this chicken stir fry up with some Thai fried rice, Thai drunken noodles, and some nice iced tea to wash it all down. 
  •  To make this dish even more filling, top it with a fried egg. 
Featured Img of Basil Chicken

Easy Thai Basil Chicken Stir Fry | Pad Kraprow Gai

Enozia Zehra
A simple Thai basil chicken is the ideal stir fry that is salty, sweet, and has just enough heat to satisfy. This recipe is ideal to serve with rice or as part of a larger meal filled with stir fry vegetables.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Thai
Servings 2
Calories 292 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ⅓ cup Chicken broth
  • 1 tsp Oyster sauce
  • 2 tsp Soy sauce
  • 2 tsp Fish sauce
  • 1 tsp Brown sugar
  • 2 tsp vegetable oil
  • 2 Chicken thighs cubed
  • ¼ cup Shallots sliced
  • 1 tsp Minced garlic
  • 1 tsp Minced Thai chiles
  • 1 cup Basil leaves shredded

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, and brown sugar, then set it aside.
  • In a wok or large pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook, stirring regularly, for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Add in the shallots, chiles, and garlic, stir and continue cooking for 1 minute.
  • Next, add ½ of the sauce mixture and stir to combine. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until it begins to caramelize.
  • Add the rest of the sauce, and continue cooking for 4 to 5 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
  • Reduce the heat to low and add in the basil and stir. Continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes, until the basil has wilted. Serve with rice.

Notes

This can be made with chicken breasts if preferred. 

Nutrition

Calories: 292kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 21gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 111mgSodium: 1124mgPotassium: 446mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 753IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 53mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Thai Basil Chicken
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