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Serving chicken pad krapow over jasmine rice topped with a fried egg and basil garnish. 🍳

Chicken Pad Krapow – Authentic Thai Basil Chicken

5 from 1 vote
This Chicken Pad Krapow (Thai Basil Chicken) is an authentic Thai street food classic — spicy, savory, and full of aromatic basil flavor.Ready in just 20 minutes, this quick stir-fry combines ground chicken, garlic, chili, and soy sauce for an irresistible meal served over jasmine rice or topped with a crispy fried egg.
Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 2
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian
Calories: 510
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 300 g ground chicken
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 red chilies, finely chopped (or 1 tsp chili flakes)
  • 15 ml vegetable oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 5 ml brown sugar
  • 30 ml soy sauce
  • 15 ml oyster sauce
  • 5 ml fish sauce (optional but authentic)
  • 1 handful Thai basil leaves (or regular basil if needed)
  • Cooked jasmine rice (for serving)
  • 2 fried eggs (optional, for topping)

Equipment

  • Wok or large skillet
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Knife & chopping board
  • Mixing bowl

Method
 

  1. Sauté aromatics: Heat vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and chopped chili. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
    Garlic and red chili sizzling in oil in a wok on a stove to start chicken pad krapow. 🌶️
  2. Cook the chicken: Add ground chicken. Break it apart using a wooden spoon and cook until no longer pink.
    Ground chicken cooking in a wok with garlic and chili for authentic chicken pad krapow. 🍗
  3. Add the sauces: Stir in soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and brown sugar. Mix well to coat the chicken evenly in the glossy sauce.
    Soy sauce, oyster sauce, and fish sauce being poured into the wok to flavor chicken pad krapow. 🍶
  4. Add the veggies: Add chopped onion and sliced bell pepper. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until tender-crisp.
  5. Add the basil: Turn off the heat and toss in Thai basil leaves. Stir until wilted and aromatic.
  6. Serve: Spoon over jasmine rice and top with a crispy fried egg. The yolk mixed with the spicy sauce makes it unforgettable.
    Serving chicken pad krapow over jasmine rice topped with a fried egg and basil garnish. 🍳

Notes

Use Thai holy basil for authentic flavor.
For a milder version, remove chili seeds or use less chili.
Substitute chicken with turkey, pork, or tofu if preferred.
Best served fresh, but leftovers taste amazing reheated with rice.