Thai Basil Chicken

Name: Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai) Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 500 g boneless, skinless chicken thighs; 1 cup jasmine rice; 1.5 cups water; 2 shallots; 4 cloves garlic; 1 red chili pepper; 150 g green beans; 2 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp dark soy sauce; 1 tbsp oyster sauce; 1 tbsp fish sauce; 1 tbsp palm sugar; 1/2 cup chicken broth; 1 large bunch Thai basil; 2 eggs; 2-3 lime leaves; salt, to taste; 2 tbsp neutral oil, for cooking

Pad Krapow Gai is a classic Thai stir-fry featuring tender chicken thighs cooked with garlic, chili, and generous fresh Thai basil in a savory sauce. Served over jasmine rice with a crispy fried egg, it delivers restaurant-quality flavor in under 30 minutes.

🌍Thai 🏷️Thai basil chicken 🏷️Pad krapow gai 🏷️Chicken stir-fry 🏷️Thai food Weeknight dinner

🏷️

🏷️Quick recipe

-0:00

twisted.chefonTikTok

Total

30 min

Servings

2

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$32–$53

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by twisted.chef

-0:00

twisted.chefonTikTok

Ingredients

500 g boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 cup jasmine rice
1.5 cups water
2 shallots
4 cloves garlic
1 red chili pepper
150 g green beans
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp palm sugar
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 large bunch Thai basil
2 eggs
2-3 lime leavesoptional
salt, to taste
2 tbsp neutral oil, for cooking

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Instructions

1
Cut the chicken thighs into small, bite-sized pieces and set aside.
2
In a pot, combine the jasmine rice, water, a pinch of salt, and lime leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
3
While the rice cooks, finely chop the shallots, garlic, and red chili pepper.
4
Chop the green beans into small, 1-inch pieces.
5
Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat until very hot. Add a bit of oil, then add the chicken.
6
Stir-fry the chicken until it gets some color, then season with a pinch of salt. Add the chopped shallots, garlic, and chili, and continue to stir-fry for another minute until fragrant.
7
Add the chopped green beans to the wok and stir-fry for a minute.
8
Pour in the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, palm sugar, and chicken broth. Stir to combine and let the sauce simmer and reduce until it thickens.
9
While the sauce reduces, fry two eggs sunny-side up in a separate pan.
10
Once the sauce in the wok has thickened, turn off the heat and stir in the fresh Thai basil leaves until they are just wilted.
11
Serve the Thai basil chicken over the cooked jasmine rice and top each plate with a fried egg.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Slice chicken thighs thinly and cook over high heat to caramelize the edges while keeping the interior tender; don't overcrowd the pan.
Toast the garlic and chili in oil first before adding chicken to build aromatic depth and prevent burnt garlic.
Add Thai basil in the final 30 seconds off heat so it stays vibrant and fragrant rather than turning dark and losing flavor.
Use jasmine rice for its subtle floral notes; cook fresh to pair with the stir-fry, or make ahead and reheat gently with a splash of water.

Substitutions

chicken thighs → chicken breast (cuts will be drier; reduce cooking time)
Thai basil → holy basil or sweet basil (flavor profile less authentic but acceptable)
dark soy sauce → regular soy sauce (add 1 tsp molasses or brown sugar for depth)
green beans → snap peas or broccoli florets (similar cooking time and texture)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooked chicken stir-fry in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat gently on stovetop or microwave. Serve with freshly cooked rice and a warm or fried egg.

Equipment

wok or large skillet · rice cooker (optional; stovetop pot works)

Common Questions

Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs?

Yes, but chicken thighs are preferred because they stay moist and tender during stir-frying. If using breast, cut into smaller pieces and watch carefully to avoid overcooking.

What if I can't find Thai basil?

Regular sweet basil or holy basil are acceptable substitutes, though the flavor will be slightly different. Avoid Italian basil if possible, as it lacks the anise notes of Thai basil.

Can I make this ahead?

Cook the chicken stir-fry and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a pan or microwave. Cook jasmine rice fresh and fry the egg just before serving.

How spicy is this dish?

Heat level depends on the amount and type of chili used. Start with half a red chili and add more to taste. Remove seeds for less heat.

What soy sauce should I use?

Use regular soy sauce for the 2 tbsp and dark soy sauce (thicker, sweeter) for the 1 tbsp. Dark soy sauce adds depth; light soy sauce alone will be less flavorful.