Easy Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai) with Fresh Garden Herbs
Thai Basil Chicken, also known as Pad Krapow Gai, is a quick and flavorful ground chicken stir fry made with Thai basil, garlic, shallots, and a savory-sweet sauce. My version incorporates fresh Thai basil and green onions harvested straight from the garden, along with optional makrut lime leaves for an extra layer of citrusy flavor.
This is exactly the type of recipe I love making because it gives me another way to use some of the more unique edible plants I grow at home. Thai basil grows incredibly well during warm weather, and once it gets going, I usually have more than enough to keep harvesting for recipes like this.
The entire dish comes together quickly in a wok and can be served over white rice or with your favorite noodles for an easy meal.
Watch my YouTube video for how to make this recipe: coming soon
What Is Thai Basil Chicken?
Pad Krapow Gai is a Thai-style stir fry featuring chicken and aromatic basil. The combination of fish sauce, oyster sauce, soy sauce, garlic, and fresh basil creates a dish that's salty, savory, slightly sweet, and incredibly aromatic.
For my version, I use ground chicken, which cooks quickly and absorbs all of that flavorful stir fry sauce. I also add plenty of fresh Thai basil at the very end so it wilts without losing too much of its fresh flavor.
Fresh Thai Basil Makes a Difference
One of the stars of this recipe is, of course, the Thai basil. It has a stronger, more aromatic flavor than the sweet Italian basil commonly used for pesto and Italian cooking.
I harvest the Thai basil and green onions for this recipe directly from my garden. If you live in a warm climate, Thai basil is a great herb to grow because you can continually harvest the leaves throughout the growing season.
I also sometimes add makrut lime leaves (also known as kaffir lime leaves). They have an intensely aromatic citrus flavor that adds another dimension to the chicken. I grow a makrut lime tree specifically so I can harvest fresh leaves for cooking, but dried leaves work as well. This ingredient is completely optional, so don't let it stop you from making the recipe if you can't find it.
Thai Basil Chicken – Pad Krapow Gai
Ingredients
- 1½ tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 cup diced shallots
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 2 fresh or dried Kaffir Lime aka Makrut Lime leaves, optional
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup chopped green onions
- 1 cup chopped fresh Thai basil leaves
Stir Fry Sauce
- 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
Directions
1. Prepare the ingredients.
Wash the Thai basil and green onions, then chop them and set aside.
2. Make the stir fry sauce.
Combine the brown sugar, oyster sauce, fish sauce, regular soy sauce, and dark soy sauce in a small bowl. Whisk until the brown sugar has dissolved, then set aside.
3. Cook the aromatics.
Heat the toasted sesame oil in a wok or large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic and stir fry until the shallots become soft and translucent. If they begin sticking or browning too quickly, add a small splash of water.
4. Cook the chicken.
Push the shallots and garlic toward the outside of the wok and add the ground chicken to the center. Break the chicken apart as it cooks and continue stir frying until completely cooked through.
5. Add the makrut lime leaves.
If using them, tear two makrut lime leaves in half and add them to the chicken. Stir fry briefly to begin releasing their aroma.
6. Add the broth.
Pour in the chicken broth and continue cooking, allowing the lime leaves to soften and flavor the mixture.
7. Add the sauce.
Pour the prepared stir fry sauce into the wok and mix everything together. Continue cooking until the liquid reduces and forms a flavorful sauce that coats the chicken.
8. Remove the lime leaves.
Remove and discard the makrut lime leaves before serving.
9. Add the fresh herbs.
Add the chopped Thai basil and green onions. Stir fry briefly, just until they soften and the basil becomes fragrant.
10. Serve.
Serve immediately over warm white rice or alongside noodles such as udon or rice noodles.
Grow the Ingredients at Home
Thai basil and green onions are two easy ingredients to grow at home, especially if you enjoy cooking with fresh herbs. Growing some of your own ingredients also means you can harvest exactly what you need right before cooking, when the flavor and aroma are at their best.
If you want to grow your own Thai basil, start with seeds from my shop.