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Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai)

Spicy, aromatic Thai street food classic with ground chicken, fresh Thai basil, and chilies in a savory sauce. This authentic one-pan dish is ready in 15 minutes and served over rice with a crispy fried egg on top.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian Cuisine, Thai
Servings 4 servings
Calories 580 kcal

Ingredients
  

Chicken

  • 1 1/2 lbs ground chicken or ground turkey
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil divided

Aromatics

  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 Thai chilies sliced (or 1 tsp red pepper flakes)
  • 1 shallot thinly sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced

Sauce

  • 2 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce low sodium
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 2 tsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp water

Basil and Eggs

  • 1 cup Thai basil leaves packed (or regular basil)
  • 4 large eggs for frying
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil for eggs

For Serving

  • 4 cups jasmine rice cooked and hot
  • lime wedges for serving
  • cucumber slices optional

Instructions
 

  • In a small mixing bowl, whisk together oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, and water. Set aside.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in grill or cast iron skillet over high heat. Add ground chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes on cutting board, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
  • In the same skillet, add remaining tablespoon of oil. Add minced garlic, sliced chilies, and shallot. Stir-fry for 1 minute using tongs until fragrant and garlic is golden.
  • Add diced red bell pepper and stir-fry for 1 minute until slightly softened.
  • Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Pour sauce over everything and toss for 1-2 minutes until well combined and chicken is coated.
  • Remove from heat and stir in Thai basil leaves. The heat from the pan will wilt them perfectly. Set aside and keep warm.
  • In a separate small skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Crack eggs one at a time and fry for 2-3 minutes until edges are crispy and lacy but yolk is still runny. Use tongs carefully to transfer.
  • To serve: Divide hot jasmine rice among 4 bowls. Top each with Thai basil chicken and a crispy fried egg. Serve with lime wedges and cucumber slices on the side.

Notes

Thai basil has a distinctive anise-like flavor that makes this dish authentic - find it at Asian markets. Regular basil works but the flavor will be different. Don't add basil too early or it will turn black - stir in at the very end. Thai chilies are extremely spicy - adjust to your heat tolerance or use red pepper flakes. The crispy fried egg (kai dao) is essential to authentic pad krapow - the runny yolk mixes with the rice and chicken. Use high heat and cook quickly for best results - this is a fast dish. Ground pork is the traditional protein but chicken is equally popular. For extra authenticity, add 2 tablespoons of sliced long beans during stir-frying. This is perfect street food - simple, fast, and incredibly flavorful.
ALLERGEN INFORMATION: Contains fish (fish sauce), soy (soy sauce), shellfish (oyster sauce), eggs, and gluten (soy sauce, oyster sauce). Use tamari and gluten-free oyster sauce for gluten-free option. Always check ingredient labels if you have food allergies.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5gCalories: 580kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 42gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 285mgSodium: 980mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6g
Keyword 18 Minutes, Asian Cuisine, Authentic, Basil, Chicken, One Pan, Quick Meals, Spicy, Street Food, Thai
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