Description
Thai Basil Chicken (Gai Pad Krapow) is a flavorful and aromatic stir-fry featuring ground chicken cooked with fragrant Thai basil, chilies, garlic, and shallots. This quick and easy dish captures the essence of street food in Thailand, offering a perfect balance of spicy, savory, and herbal notes. Served over rice, it makes for a satisfying and authentic Asian meal ready in just about 10 minutes.
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
Sauces and Flavorings
- 2 teaspoons sugar (or honey)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
Broth and Basil
- 1/3 cup low sodium chicken broth (or water)
- 1 bunch holy or Thai basil leaves
Instructions
- Heat oil and aromatics: In a wok or large skillet over high heat, add the oil, sliced chilies, shallots, and garlic. Fry for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
- Add ground chicken: Push the aromatics to the side if needed, then add the ground chicken. Stir-fry for about 2 minutes, breaking it into small bits until it begins to brown.
- Add seasonings: Sprinkle in the sugar, then pour in soy sauce and fish sauce. Continue stir-frying for another minute, ensuring the chicken is coated evenly.
- Deglaze with broth: Pour in the chicken broth, stir to deglaze the pan, and cook briefly until the liquid reduces quickly, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Add basil: Turn off heat and add the Thai basil leaves, stirring until wilted and fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Serve: Serve hot over steamed rice immediately.
Notes
- Adjust chili amount to tame or enhance spiciness according to taste.
- You can substitute holy basil with Thai basil if unavailable.
- This dish is best served fresh; leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- 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
