Thai Basil Chicken
Welcome to my kitchen! Today, we’re whipping up a delicious dish known as Thai Basil Chicken, or *Gai Pad Krapow*. This mouthwatering stir-fry features a spicy, garlicky mix of chicken, fresh Thai basil, and a fantastic sauce that’ll make your taste buds dance. Perfect for a weeknight meal or impressing friends at dinner, you’re going to want to add this dish to your culinary repertoire!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken you can use turkey or beef as a substitute
- 2 cups fresh Thai basil leaves basil is a great swap if you can't find Thai basil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2-3 Thai bird chilies chopped (or use red pepper flakes for spice)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce reduced sodium works too
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce if you can't find oyster sauce, feel free to omit it
- 1 tbsp fish sauce skip it for a vegetarian version
- 1 tsp sugar coconut sugar gives a nice touch
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil or peanut oil
- Steamed rice for serving
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Start by chopping up your garlic and chilies. I like to slice the chilies thinly so they can add that wonderful heat! Set everything aside so you can easily grab them when it’s time to cook.
- Heat Things Up: In a large skillet or wok, heat your oil over medium-high heat. When the oil’s nice and hot (but not smoking!), toss in your minced garlic and chopped chilies. Stir them around for about 30 seconds until they become fragrant. Your neighbors will probably start to wonder what smells so good!
- Add the Chicken: Next, toss in that ground chicken. Use your trusty spatula to break it up and stir it about. Cook until it's browned and no longer pink—roughly 5-7 minutes.
- The Sauce Come Alive: Time to mix the magic! Lower the heat slightly, and pour in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and sugar. Give it a good stir to coat the chicken in that luscious sauce. Cook for another 2 minutes so all those flavors can meld together.
- Add the Basil: Now, it’s the grand finale! Toss in those beautiful Thai basil leaves. Stir them in until they wilt down—this takes just about a minute. The fragrance will be irresistible!
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve your Thai Basil Chicken hot over a bed of fluffy steamed rice. Dig in, and enjoy your homemade masterpiece!