Description
Thai Basil Chicken (Gai Pad Krapow) is a quick, flavorful stir-fry dish featuring tender ground chicken cooked with fragrant Thai basil, fiery chilies, and savory sauce, served over steamed rice for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the stir-fry
- 3 to 4 tablespoons oil
- 3 Thai bird chilies or Holland chilies (de-seeded if desired and thinly sliced)
- 3 shallots (thinly sliced)
- 5 cloves garlic (sliced)
- 1 pound ground chicken
Sauce and aromatics
- 2 teaspoons sugar (or honey)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1/3 cup low sodium chicken broth (or water)
Finish and garnish
- 1 bunch holy or Thai basil leaves
Instructions
- Heat the oil and cook aromatics. In a wok or large skillet over high heat, add the oil, chilies, shallots, and garlic, frying for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
- Add the chicken. Push the aromatics to the side and add the ground chicken. Stir-fry for 2 minutes, breaking apart the chicken into small bits for even cooking.
- Season the mixture. Add sugar, soy sauce, and fish sauce. Stir to evenly coat the chicken and cook for another minute.
- Deglaze the pan. Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze, stirring quickly to loosen any browned bits and allow the liquid to mostly evaporate due to high heat.
- Add basil. Once the liquid reduces, add the Thai basil leaves. Stir-fry until the basil wilts and releases its aroma, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Serve. Serve hot over steamed jasmine rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Add more or less chili depending on your spice preference.
- Use fresh Thai basil for authentic flavor, but sweet basil can be substituted if unavailable.
- This dish is best enjoyed immediately while the basil is vibrant and fragrant.
- You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey or beef for variety.
- Prepare all ingredients beforehand as cooking happens quickly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 1 cup)
- Calories: 294 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 933 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 98 mg
