Thai Basil Chicken

Thai basil chicken, also known as ‘Gai Pad Krapow,’ is a delicious dish from Thailand. It consists of chicken, sautéed garlic, chilies, and a generous amount of Thai basil. This recipe uses minimal ingredients and comes together quickly.

Why you will Love Thai Basil Chicken?

First and foremost, the combination of flavours is incredibly delicious. The marinade uses three vital ingredients: soy sauce, fish sauce, and oyster sauce. These primary elements form the foundation of Asian cooking, which means that you can mimic restaurant food in the comfort of your home.

The cooking process is pretty straightforward, with only a handful of ingredients. When Thai basil Chicken is paired with jasmine rice, it creates a satisfying meal that comes together in less than 30 minutes. Plus, there is no need to drive half an hour in peak traffic to enjoy Thai cooking; you can have it at home.

Lastly, the best part about this dish is that it is incredibly versatile. If you don’t have Thai basil, you can use regular basil. In Thailand, this dish uses ground chicken. However, you can substitute it with chicken breasts.

Ingredients to make Thai Basil Chicken

Chicken Breast, Garlic Cloves, Red Chilies, Oyster, Dark Soy Sauce, Fish Sauce, Brown Sugar, Basil, Onion and Leeks (Optional).

Thai Basil has a spicy and peppery flavour that is similar to anise. Garlic adds a savoury taste. Fresh red chilies add heat to this dish. Onions add sweetness. Fish sauce, soy sauce, and oyster sauce add an umami flavour. This recipe also uses a touch of brown sugar.

When it comes to vegetables, you can add an array of different vegetables such as red bell peppers, snap peas, and green beans for that added nutrition and vibrant colour. Leeks are optional; they add an extra spicy flavour.

Instructions

Finely chop the onions, red chilies, garlic and leeks. Thoroughly wash the chicken breast and cut into cubes. Suppose you are using ground chicken (do not wash the ground chicken). Add cooking oil to the wok.

Set the temperature to medium-low. Add the aromatics and stir occasionally until they have caramelized. Add the chicken cubes, along with the soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and brown sugar.

Add a little bit of water to the wok and sauté until the sauce thickens. Once the sauce turns a darker shade of brown, add the Thai basil leaves. That is it—the recipe is done. You can now enjoy it with jasmine rice.

Expert tips

Use boneless and skinless chicken. Chicken breast is one of the best cuts for this recipe as it remains juicy and tender. Chicken thighs or ground chicken can be substituted for the chicken breast or ground chicken. Marinating the chicken for thirty minutes in lemon juice will tenderize it.

The thickness of the chicken breast will determine the cooking time. The thicker the piece, the longer it will take to cook.  Adjust the sauce’s thickness. If it is too thick, add one tablespoon of water or let it simmer for two more minutes on medium-low heat to thicken it. 

How to Store and Reheat the Thai Basil Chicken?

Allow the chicken to cool down before storing it in the fridge. Store the Thai basil chicken in an airtight container. It can last up to four days in the fridge and up to two months in the deep freezer. 

Reheat the chicken in the pan on medium-low heat. To reheat the chicken in the microwave, use a microwave-safe dish and microwave at one-minute intervals. Avoid overheating the chicken in the microwave; it will make it dry and tough.

What to Serve with Thai Basil Chicken?

Rice like Garlic butter rice or Jasmine rice. Pasta like penne, fettuccine or spaghetti. Sautéed vegetables like spinach, asparagus or Brussels sprout. Mashed potatoes with herbs or garlic. Bread like Garlic bread, baguette or crusty bread. Salad like Caprese salad or Caesar salad.