Go Back

Thai Basil Chicken Stir-Fry (Pad Krapow Gai)

This Thai Basil Chicken Stir-Fry is a bold, 20-minute dish with savory chicken, fragrant basil, and a spicy-sweet sauce. Serve with jasmine rice and a crispy fried egg for a true Thai street food experience!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Thai
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 300 kcal

Equipment

  • Large wok or skillet
  • Spatula or wooden spoon
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Knife and cutting board

Ingredients
  

For the Stir-Fry

  • 1 lb 450g ground chicken
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 –3 Thai chilies finely chopped (adjust to taste)
  • 1 small onion thinly sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper sliced
  • 1 cup Thai basil leaves holy basil preferred

For the Sauce

  • 2 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp dark soy sauce for color
  • 1 tsp sugar

For Serving

  • Steamed jasmine rice
  • 2 eggs for optional fried eggs

Instructions
 

Prepare the Sauce

  • In a small bowl, mix oyster sauce, fish sauce, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and sugar. Stir well and set aside.

Cook the Aromatics

  • Heat vegetable oil in a large wok over medium-high heat.
  • Add minced garlic and chopped Thai chilies, stirring for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

Brown the Chicken

  • Add ground chicken to the wok and cook for 4–5 minutes, breaking it up with a spatula until browned.

Add Vegetables and Sauce

  • Toss in sliced onion and red bell pepper, stir-frying for another 2 minutes.
  • Pour in the sauce and stir well, letting it cook for another 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened.

Stir in the Basil

  • Turn off the heat and add Thai basil leaves, stirring until they wilt.

Serve with Rice and Fried Egg

  • Serve hot over jasmine rice. Top with a crispy fried egg if desired.
  • Tip: To make a crispy fried egg, heat oil in a small pan over medium-high heat and fry the egg until the edges are golden and crisp.

Notes

Thai holy basil gives the best authentic flavor, but regular Thai basil or sweet basil works as a substitute.
Adjust chili quantity based on spice preference.
For a vegetarian version, swap chicken for tofu and use soy sauce instead of fish sauce.
Keyword Pad Krapow Gai, quick Thai chicken, spicy stir-fry, Thai basil chicken stir-fry, Thai street food