Description
A fast, fiery, and flavorful weeknight staple that brings the authentic taste of Bangkok street food to your home kitchen in under 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 500 grams (1.1 lbs) ground chicken
- A large handful of Thai Holy Basil (or sweet basil)
- 6–8 cloves garlic, minced
- 4–6 Thai Bird’s Eye Chilies, crushed
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar (palm or white)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs (for frying)
- Steamed jasmine rice
Instructions
- Mince the garlic and crush the chilies into a coarse paste using a mortar and pestle or the side of a knife.
- In a small bowl, mix the fish sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar until the sugar is dissolved.
- Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat until it is smoking slightly, then add the vegetable oil and swirl to coat.
- Add the garlic and chili paste to the hot oil and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Add the ground chicken to the pan, breaking it up into small crumbles with a spatula.
- Cook the chicken for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until it turns from pink to opaque white.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken and toss quickly to coat. Cook for another minute until the sauce bubbles and thickens.
- Turn off the heat and add the Thai basil leaves to the hot pan, stirring gently for 10-15 seconds until just wilted.
- Plate the chicken immediately over steamed jasmine rice.
- Top with a fried egg with a runny yolk and serve hot.
Notes
Ensure the pan is very hot to achieve ‘wok hei’ (breath of the wok) flavor and prevent steaming. Add basil at the very end using residual heat to preserve its aroma. Adjust chili quantity based on heat tolerance. For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with firm tofu and use vegetarian oyster sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate with chicken
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 1200
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: Thai basil chicken, pad kra pao, quick dinner, spicy chicken, weeknight meals, high protein, gluten-free option