1 Pan Thai Basil Chicken in 25 minutes (Pad Ka Prao) | Weeknighting

ground meat

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground chicken

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground chicken is often less expensive.

oyster sauce

🥗Healthier: hoisin sauce

💰Cheaper: soy sauce

Hoisin sauce can provide a similar sweetness, while soy sauce is more budget-friendly.

Thai bird's eye chili

🥗Healthier: jalapeño

💰Cheaper: serrano pepper

Jalapeños are milder, while serrano peppers can be found at lower prices.

basil leaves

🥗Healthier: spinach

💰Cheaper: cilantro

Spinach can add a similar texture, while cilantro is often less expensive.

If grinding your own chicken, cut chicken into chunks and freeze for 10 minutes.

Prep/cut vegetables and mix sauce while waiting for chicken to freeze.

To make the sauce, stir together soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, chicken stock, and brown sugar until dissolved.

Add the frozen chicken to a food processor and process to a coarse medium grind.

Preheat a large sauté pan over high heat and add oil.

Add cut green beans and a pinch of salt; cook for 3-4 minutes until charred and slightly softened. Remove from pan and set aside.

Add more oil to the pan, then add the chicken with a pinch of salt; cook for about 3 minutes until beginning to brown.

Add chopped shallots and cook for another 2 minutes.

Add garlic, ginger, and a pinch of chili flakes; cook for about 30 seconds.

Add back in the cooked green beans and raw spinach; stir until spinach is wilted.

Stir in the sauce and cook for 20-30 seconds until reduced slightly.

Remove from heat and stir in basil.

Serve over rice and top with a fried egg.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens