Spicy Basil Chicken (Pad Kra Pao) Recipe That Wows
Spicy basil chicken ignites a culinary adventure that redefines ordinary meals into extraordinary experiences.
Bold, aromatic flavors dance across your palate with each fragrant bite.
Thai street food culture inspires this remarkable dish that blends heat and herbal complexity.
The perfect balance of spiciness and herbal notes creates a symphony of taste sensations.
Fresh ingredients meld together, promising a quick and satisfying meal that feels like an authentic restaurant experience.
Regional cooking techniques elevate simple chicken into a masterpiece of contemporary Southeast Asian cuisine.
Thai home cooks have long celebrated this beloved recipe for its intense, mouth-watering character.
Spice Up Dinner with Authentic Pad Kra Pao
Essential Ingredients for Spicy Basil Chicken
Main Ingredients:
Protein:Aromatics and Herbs:Sauce and Cooking Components:Sauce Ingredients:Serving Component:Stir Frying Pad Kra Pao Like a Thai Chef
Step 1: Prepare Aromatics
Finely chop garlic cloves and bird’s eye chilies. Set ingredients aside on a cutting board.
Step 2: Create Flavor Base
In a mixing bowl, whisk together:Mix ingredients until sugar dissolves completely.
Step 3: Start Cooking Foundation
Heat wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Pour vegetable oil around pan edges.
Add chopped garlic and chilies. Stir rapidly for 15-20 seconds until fragrant.
Step 4: Cook Chicken
Add ground chicken to pan. Break meat into small crumbles while cooking.
Stir-fry chicken until it transforms from pink to white, approximately 3-4 minutes.
Step 5: Incorporate Sauce
Pour prepared sauce mixture over chicken. Toss and coat chicken thoroughly.
Cook for additional 2-3 minutes until sauce caramelizes and chicken looks glossy.
Step 6: Finish With Herbs
Sprinkle fresh basil leaves and ground black pepper into pan.
Stir quickly for 30-45 seconds until basil wilts slightly.
Step 7: Plate And Serve
Transfer spicy chicken onto steamed jasmine rice.
Top with crispy sunny-side-up egg for extra richness.
Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves if desired.
Kitchen Tricks for Perfectly Spicy Basil Chicken
Preserving Flavor in Leftover Pad Kra Pao
What to Serve with Spicy Basil Chicken
Put a Spin on Pad Kra Pao with New Ingredients
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Spicy Basil Chicken (Pad Kra Pao) Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
Description
Spicy basil chicken, a beloved Thai street classic, delivers bold flavors with tender chicken and aromatic herbs. Fiery chili peppers and fresh basil create a quick, satisfying meal that instantly transports dinner tables to bustling Bangkok streets.
Ingredients
Proteins:
- 350 g (12 ounces) Chicken mince (thigh/breast)
- 2 Eggs
Aromatics and Herbs:
- 1 cup Basil leaves (Thai Holy Basil/Sweet/Italian Basil)
- 4–5 Cloves Garlic
- 4–5 Bird’s eye chilies
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
Sauces and Oil:
- 1 tablespoon Vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon Light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon Fish sauce
- ½ teaspoon Dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Brown/white sugar
Instructions
- Prepare your mise en place by finely dicing garlic cloves and Thai bird’s eye chilies, creating a flavor foundation for the dish.
- Craft the aromatic sauce by blending ingredients in a mixing bowl, ensuring a harmonious flavor profile that will enhance the chicken.
- Ignite a pan over medium heat, introducing a subtle layer of vegetable oil to create a sizzling cooking surface.
- Toss the delicate garlic pieces into the pan, allowing them to release their fragrant essence for a brief moment before introducing the fiery chilies.
- Introduce minced chicken to the pan, vigorously stirring and transforming its appearance from raw to a tantalizing golden hue.
- Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, enabling it to caramelize and coat each morsel with an intense, complex flavor.
- Culminate the cooking process by folding fresh basil leaves and a whisper of black pepper into the mixture, creating a vibrant, aromatic finish.
- Present the spicy basil chicken atop a pristine bed of steamed jasmine rice, crowning the dish with a crispy fried egg for textural contrast.
Notes
- Master the art of high-heat stir-frying to achieve the signature glossy and caramelized texture of authentic Thai street food.
- Choose fresh Thai basil leaves for the most genuine flavor, as dried or sweet basil won’t deliver the same vibrant taste profile.
- Bird’s eye chilies pack intense heat, so adjust the quantity based on personal spice tolerance for a perfectly balanced dish.
- Ensure the chicken is cooked quickly over medium-high heat to maintain its tenderness and prevent drying out.
- Crispy fried eggs add a luxurious richness that complements the spicy and aromatic chicken, creating a truly satisfying meal.
- Serve immediately after cooking to preserve the basil’s bright green color and maximum flavor intensity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1500 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg
David Bennett
Founder & Head Recipe Developer
Expertise
Culinary Nutrition, Recipe Development, Nutritional Counseling, Food Science
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)
David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind.
With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily.
At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.