Simple Thai Basil Chicken Recipe | Pad Kra Pow Gai

holy basil

🥗Healthier: Thai basil

💰Cheaper: basil

Thai basil is more widely available and has a similar flavor profile.

oyster sauce

🥗Healthier: mushroom sauce

💰Cheaper: soy sauce

Mushroom sauce provides a similar umami flavor for a healthier option.

chicken

🥗Healthier: tofu

💰Cheaper: ground turkey

Tofu is a plant-based alternative, while ground turkey is a cost-effective protein.

fish sauce

🥗Healthier: soy sauce

💰Cheaper: salt

Soy sauce can provide a similar salty flavor without fish.

Crush the garlic one by one with a knife and set aside.

Remove all stems from the bird's eye chilli.

Cut the green bird’s eye chilli in half and leave the red bird’s eye chilli whole.

Switch on the heat and add 2 tbsp of cooking oil and all the garlic.

Stir fry the garlic for 1 minute until fragrant, but do not cook until crispy and brown.

Add half of the red and green bird’s eye chilli and stir fry for 1 more minute until the chillies release their aroma.

Add all the minced chicken and light soy sauce, and stir fry for 1 minute, breaking any lumps of minced chicken.

After 1 minute, the chicken should partially change color to gray.

Add in the thick soy sauce and continue to cook while breaking the lumps of chicken for 1 more minute until all the minced chicken is gray and no longer red.

Add the remaining bird’s eye chilli, sugar, and fish sauce, pouring the fish sauce on the side of the pan for fragrance.

Stir and mix until the seasonings and chicken are well combined.

Cover the pot and let it simmer for 2 minutes to ensure the chicken is well cooked.

After 2 minutes, open the cover and stir the chicken, which should now be very well cooked.

Add in all the basil leaves and stir for 30 seconds until the leaves soften.

Taste the dish and adjust seasoning if preferred, then switch off the heat.

To serve, fry a sunny side up egg in a heated pan with a bit of cooking oil for 1 and a half minutes.

Remove the egg from the pan and set aside.

Serve the sunny side-up egg on top of the rice.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens