Sizzling Spicy Basil Chicken Recipe: Thai Pad Kra Pao Magic
Sizzling woks and vibrant Thai street food flavors dance together in this spicy basil chicken that captures the essence of Bangkok’s culinary magic.
The classic pad kra pao brings a fiery heat and aromatic punch to your dinner table.
Fragrant Thai basil leaves infuse each tender bite with an electrifying taste sensation.
Authentic Thai chefs have perfected this quick and addictive dish that balances spicy, salty, and savory notes beautifully.
Home cooks can easily recreate this restaurant-style favorite with just a few simple ingredients and a hot skillet.
The combination of ground chicken, chili peppers, and fresh basil creates an irresistible meal that screams bold flavor.
Get ready to transport your taste buds to the bustling streets of Thailand with this mouthwatering recipe.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Calories: 367 kcal
Servings: 3
What’s in Spicy Basil Chicken (Pad Kra Pao)
For Protein:
Chicken: Lean ground meat perfect for a quick, zesty stir-fry, choose fresh, high-quality minced chicken for the best flavor and texture.
For Aromatics and Heat:
Garlic, Bird's Eye Chilies: Powerful flavor boosters that create the signature spicy kick, select firm, vibrant chilies and fresh garlic cloves for maximum pungency.
For Flavor Enhancers:
Basil Leaves, Black Pepper: Fresh Thai basil provides an authentic herbal punch, while black pepper adds subtle warmth; choose bright green basil leaves with no wilting.
Vegetable Oil: Neutral cooking medium that helps distribute heat evenly and prevent sticking.
For Sauce Components:
Stir-Fry Sauce Ingredients: Secret blend that infuses the dish with complex, balanced flavors, ensuring each bite is packed with deliciousness.
For Serving:
Jasmine Rice: Fragrant, soft Thai rice that perfectly complements the spicy chicken.
Eggs: Crispy fried eggs add a rich, luxurious topping that elevates the entire dish.
Tools for Cooking Spicy Basil Chicken (Pad Kra Pao)
Wok or Large Skillet: Essential for high-heat stir-frying and achieving that perfect sear on the chicken.
Mixing Bowl: Needed to combine and prepare the stir-fry sauce ingredients smoothly.
Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping garlic, chilies, and preparing ingredients.
Sharp Knife: Crucial for finely chopping garlic and bird's eye chilies with precision.
Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring and moving ingredients around the pan while cooking.
Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure sauce ingredients for balanced flavor.
Frying Pan: Optional for making crispy fried eggs as a topping.
How to Make Spicy Basil Chicken (Pad Kra Pao)
Aromatic Basil Chicken Journey
Prep Station Gathering all the key players for this flavor explosion, make sure your cutting board is ready for action.
Garlic and Chili Dance Finely chop the spicy chilies and fragrant garlic into tiny pieces that will release maximum flavor when cooked.
Flavor Base Creation Warm up your pan with a splash of oil, letting the garlic and chilies sizzle and create an incredible aroma that will fill your kitchen.
Chicken Transformation Toss in the ground chicken, letting it brown and absorb all the delicious spicy notes while cooking until perfectly golden and juicy.
Herbal Magic Moment Sprinkle in fresh basil leaves and a touch of black pepper, giving the dish its signature vibrant and punchy character.
Final Touch Plate your creation over fluffy jasmine rice, crowned with a crispy fried egg that adds a luxurious richness to this classic Thai street food favorite.
Tips for Bold Spicy Basil Chicken (Pad Kra Pao) Flavor
Control the heat by reducing or increasing the number of bird's eye chilies to match your personal tolerance.
Replace chicken with ground pork, beef, shrimp, or tofu for a versatile protein option that keeps the dish exciting.
Boost flavor by using Thai holy basil instead of regular basil for an authentic, more intense aromatic experience.
Prepare the sauce and chop ingredients in advance to transform this recipe into a lightning-fast weeknight dinner solution.
Serving Spicy Basil Chicken (Pad Kra Pao)
Thai Rice Bowl Extravaganza: Create a vibrant base of jasmine rice topped with the spicy basil chicken, allowing the savory sauce to drizzle through the grains for maximum flavor absorption.
Garnish Galore: Sprinkle fresh Thai basil leaves, sliced green onions, and crushed roasted peanuts over the dish to add crunch, freshness, and an extra layer of texture that complements the spicy chicken.
Egg-cellent Companion: Crown the chicken with a perfectly crispy fried egg, letting the runny yolk mix with the spicy sauce, creating a rich and creamy element that balances the heat of the dish.
Chili Lovers' Paradise: Offer extra sliced bird's eye chilies or a small dish of nam prik pao (Thai chili paste) on the side for heat enthusiasts who want to dial up the spiciness to their preferred level.
How to Store Spicy Basil Chicken (Pad Kra Pao)
Batch Cooking Brilliance: Prepare multiple servings of this spicy chicken dish in advance for quick weeknight meals. Store individual portions in airtight containers for easy grab-and-go lunches or dinners.
Refrigerator Freshness Window: Keep cooked Pad Kra Pao in sealed containers for 3-4 days. Always store the chicken and rice separately to maintain optimal texture and prevent sogginess.
Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Portion the chicken without rice and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in a skillet to restore its original sizzling flavor and texture.
Smart Ingredient Prep: Chop extra garlic, chilies, and basil leaves during initial cooking. Store these prepped ingredients in small containers to streamline future meal preparations and reduce overall cooking time.
Savory Thai pad kra pao delivers explosive flavor combinations with fragrant basil and chili-infused chicken. Authentic street-style preparation promises quick satisfaction for home cooks seeking bold Southeast Asian cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
350 g (12 oz) chicken mince (thigh/breast)
2 eggs
1 cup basil leaves (Thai Holy Basil/Sweet/Italian Basil)
4–5 cloves garlic
4–5 bird’s eye chilies
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp brown/white sugar
1 tsp light soy sauce
½ tsp dark soy sauce
¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
Preparation: Finely dice garlic cloves and Thai bird’s eye chilies to establish a robust flavor foundation.
Sauce Preparation: Blend sauce ingredients in a mixing bowl, ensuring a balanced and harmonious flavor profile that will elevate the chicken’s taste.
Pan Heating: Warm a pan over medium heat, introducing vegetable oil to create a perfect sizzling cooking surface.
Aromatic Base: Sauté garlic until fragrant, quickly adding chilies to infuse the oil with intense heat and depth of flavor.
Chicken Transformation: Add minced chicken to the pan, stirring vigorously to cook thoroughly and achieve a golden, appetizing color.
Flavor Infusion: Drench the chicken with prepared sauce, allowing it to caramelize and thoroughly coat each morsel with a complex, spicy essence.
Final Touch: Incorporate fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of black pepper, creating a vibrant and aromatic culmination to the dish.
Plating: Serve the spicy basil chicken over steamed jasmine rice, crowning with a crispy fried egg to provide textural contrast and visual appeal.
Notes
Prep Like a Pro: Finely dice garlic and chilies before cooking to ensure even flavor distribution and prevent burning.
Sauce Synergy: Mix sauce ingredients thoroughly to balance sweet, salty, and spicy notes for an authentic Thai taste experience.
Heat Management: Cook chicken over medium-high heat to achieve perfect golden color and prevent moisture buildup that leads to steaming.
Basil Brilliance: Add fresh basil leaves at the very end of cooking to preserve their vibrant color and intense aromatic qualities.
Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.
Sophie Martin
Co-Founder & Content Creator
Expertise
Education
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.