Easy Thai Basil Chicken Recipe

Easy Thai basil chicken is a beloved recipe in Thailand. It is the flavor of the sweet Thai basil that makes it so delicious. This is another recipe that we made in our Chiang Mai cooking class. 

You will be amazed how quickly this dish comes together. It is one of the things I love about Thai cuisine in general. Perfect for busy weeknights.

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When you are in Thailand you will find this dish on the menu of most Thai restaurants as Phad Kaprao Gai or Gai Pad Krapow. It is also a popular street food dish. It is always served with white rice typically Jasmine rice. If you want a healthier dish you could even use cauliflower rice. Brown rice is not common in Thailand.

Key Ingredients you will need 

You may have to head to your asian market for just a couple of the ingredients.

Thai Basil- It is a different flavor than sweet basil that you are probably used to. Thai basil leaves have a bit of an anise flavor that imparts a magnificent flavor to the chicken. The Thai sweet basil has purple stems which is how you can tell it apart .You can use regular basil sometimes called Italian basil if that is all you can find.

Chicken Thighs- You should chop up your own with a cleaver into small bits. You could substitute boneless skinless chicken breasts but the flavor is not as rich as thighs, you could also use ground chicken if you are pressed for time. 

Long beans – sometimes called snake beans these add a lovely textural elect tot the dish as well. You could substitute green beans in a pinch,if that is the only thing you can find or even red pepper red bell pepper) could work too.

Fish Sauce– get the best you can, this adds a wonderful umami flavor to the dish. 

Oyster sauce – another rich ingredient which adds amazing flavor. you could substitute dark soy sauce as well. It makes a savory sauce.

Thai Chili peppers- sometimes called birds-eye-chilies. These add the spicy heat that Thai cuisine is famous for. Be sure to only add enough to your heat tolerance as they are way up there on the Scoville heat index. You could substitute a jalapeno pepper or serrano as well.

Palm Sugar– It usually comes in a brick or little discs that you can grate, you can substitute brown sugar or white sugar if you need to. 

You will also need, garlic cloves, onions, water and oil to make the dish, but you should be able to find these ingredients anywhere in your local grocery store 

Putting the Easy Thai Basil Chicken Recipe together.

In Thai cooking you should use a wok to make this easy chicken stir fry. You can use vegetable oil or sesame oil and put it on a medium high heat. When the oil is hot add in the garlic, onion, chili peppers, and chicken. Stir until the chicken is done.

Next you add in the long beans, fish sauce, sugar and oyster sauce and stir together. You add the key ingredient basil at the end and stir again. Serve hot with rice.

You should prepare all the ingredients ahead of time so you can just quickly add them to your wok as you stir fry. 

I hope you enjoy this popular Thai dish.

More Authentic Thai dishes

If you are looking for more authentic dishes for an incredible Thai meal be sure to check out the Thai Papaya Salad,  Pad Thai or Bananas in Coconut Milk . 

If you would like to learn more about the bucolic country of Thailand , its traditions, food and culture be sure to check out “Our Journey to Thailand” there you will also find more authentic and ancestral recipes like this popular Easy Thai Basil Chicken Recipe. 

Craving even more? Be sure to join the culinary and cultural journey around the world, so you don’t miss a thing, it’s free, You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook ,  Pinterest and youtube to follow along our journey.