This Basil Chicken Stir Fry {Pad Krapow} is the most popular Thai food takeout and now you can make it at home. It's very quick and easy, inexpensive, and tastes just as good as your favorite takeout. You can get all the ingredients at your regular grocery store. Serve it up on jasmine rice, noodles, or eat it right out of the pan. Yes, this Thai dish is THAT good.
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Easy Thai Basil Chicken Stir Fry
Thai Basil Chicken Stir Fry is the holy grail of Thai food. We've made this recipe two times at our house this week, and my kids have loved the recipe. It's loaded with tender chunks of chicken, loads of onions and peppers, and has tons of robust basil flavor everyone loves.
This chicken basil stir fry is one of the easiest meals I've made all week. Start to finish, 30 minutes! I mean, you really can't beat that. When you get your rice made, you can have this amazing chicken recipe whipped up. There's no need to hunt down an Asian market when finding Thai ingredients for this stir fry. You can find everything you need in a regular grocery store.
And if you love Thai food like i do, be sure to try our Chicken Lettuce Wraps our Marinade for Thai Chicken, and Thai Chicken Salad too. If you're looking for some other easy chicken recipes, be sure to check out these Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Easy Crockpot Ranch Chicken, it's so quick and versatile. This Southwest Chicken is so easy and is a favorite too. This Cilantro Lime Chicken is always a winner and has the most amazing sauce on it.
Basil Chicken Stir Fry Video Tutorial
Basil Chicken Stir Fry Ingredients
- Chicken-I like to use chicken breast for this recipe but you can use chicken thigs or ground chicken if you want. They all work great.
- Onion- Red onion works great for this recipe
- Red Pepper- this is our favorite to use in this stir fry but any bell peppers will do.
- Garlic- minced garlic. You can use the garlic in a jar or mince your own.
- Soy Sauce-- Use your favorite kind.
- Brown Sugar- light brown sugar works great.
- Basil Leaves- Thai basil is the gold standard for this recipe. Sometimes the grocery store doesn't have that kind. For this recipe, the best substitute for Thai Basil is Italian basil.
- Cornstarch- You can add a tablespoon of cornstarch and a tablespoon of cold water together (mix together before adding) at the end to make the sauce a little thicker.
- Optional Spice - If you'd like to add some heat to this recipe. You can use some Thai chilies or a dash of serrano pepper.
How To Make Thai Chicken Stir Fry with Basil
- Cook the chicken. Heat the oil in a heavy skillet or wok, over high heat. Add the chicken and stir for 2-3 minutes or until the chicken is almost done. (it should be golden on the outside and the juices run clear on the inside)
- Add the veggies and sauce. Stir in the onions, peppers, and garlic. Cook until fragrant, about 1 more minute. Then, pour in the soy sauce and brown sugar. Continue to cook until the sauce begins to glaze onto the meat, about 1-2 more minutes.
- Finish with basil. Stir in the Thai basil leaves and cook until the chicken is completely cooked through, the basil is wilted, and the liquid has mostly evaporated.
- Serve. Serve warm with rice. Enjoy!
Recipe Variations for
- Shrimp and Thai Basil Stir Fry: Substitute chicken with shrimp for a delicious seafood variation.
- Vegetarian Thai Basil Stir Fry: Replace the meat with cubed tofu and stir-fry it with Thai basil, garlic, and a savory sauce for a vegetarian-friendly option.
- Cashew Thai Basil Stir Fry: Incorporate roasted cashews for a delightful crunch and nutty flavor in your Thai basil chicken stir-fry.
- Coconut Thai Basil Chicken Stir Fry: Create a creamy and fragrant version by adding coconut milk or coconut cream to your Thai basil chicken stir-fry.
- Pineapple Thai Chicken and Basil Stir Fry: Add pineapple chunks to your Thai basil chicken stir-fry for a sweet and tangy twist.
Frequently Asked Questions
When I think of “Regular” basil, I think of the common sweet basil that has a sweet, “Italian dish” flavor. ... Thai basil has a distinctly different flavor that is more like Holy basil (but better tasting). It is sweet flavored but has a hint of licorice taste to it. It also has a more compact growth habit.
In a pinch, you can substitute sweet basil or Italian basil for Thai basil.
Storing and Reheating
- Refrigerator: store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- To reheat: either microwave or reheat in a skillet over medium heat.
Thai Basil Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.5-2 lbs Chicken
- 2 Tablespoons Avocado Oil
- 1 med Red Onion
- 1 med Red Pepper
- 2 Tablespoons Garlic Minced
- ½ cup Soy Sauce
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar
- 15-20 large Basil Leaves or about a cup of chopped basil leaves
- 2 cups Rice to serve with stir fry
Instructions
- Make rice according to instructions
- Chop up the chicken into bite-sized chunks. Cut onions and peppers into bite-sized chunks also. Coarsely chop the basil leaves.
- Heat the oil in a heavy skillet or wok, over high heat.
- Add the avocado oil and chicken. Stir for 2-3 minutes or until the chicken is almost done. (it should be golden on the outside and the juices run clear on the inside)
- Stir in the onions, peppers, and garlic. Cook until fragrant, about 1 more minute. Then, pour in the soy sauce and brown sugar. Continue to cook until the sauce begins to glaze onto the meat, about 1-2 more minutes.
- Stir in the Thai basil leaves and cook until the chicken is completely cooked through, the basil is wilted, and the liquid has mostly evaporated. Serve warm with rice.
Nutrition
More Chicken Recipes
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This Basil Chicken Stir Fry {Pad Krapow} is the most popular Thai food takeout and now you can make it at home. It's very quick and easy, inexpensive, and tastes just as good as your favorite takeout. You can get all the ingredients at your regular grocery store. Serve it up on jasmine rice, noodles, or eat it right out of the pan. Yes, this Thai dish is THAT good.
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