Pad Kra Pao (Holy Basil Stir Fry)

Pad Kra Pao (Holy Basil Stir Fry)

Pad Kra Pao (Holy Basil Stir Fry)

Chicken basil stir fry is one of the more popular Thai menu items that you wil find in this U.S. But in Thailand, pad kra pao, or holy basil stir fry is considered a street food. Here, you will get big chunks of chicken breast stir fried with Thai basil. The authentic version uses ground chicken and holy basil, which has a similar flavor to Italian basil. It is also topped with a fried egg, which makes this stir fry even better.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Thai
Keyword: Chicken, main course, Southeast Asian, Thai
Author: Alex Gorgos

Equipment

  • mortar and pestle

Ingredients

  • 7 bird’s eye chilies
  • 5 garlic cloves
  • 1 mild red chili
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup long beans cut into 2” pieces
  • 1/4 medium onion
  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 2 cups holy basil
  • fried eggs

Sauce

  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 2 tsp fish sauce
  • 2 tsp dark soy sauce
  • 2 tsp sugar

Instructions

  • Mix all of the sauce ingredients together. Set aside.
    Thai, main course, chicken
  • In a mortar and pestle, pound the chilies and garlic into a paste.
    Thai, main course, chicken
  • Heat up cooking oil in a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Sauté the chili paste for 2 minutes.
    Thai, main course, chicken
  • Add in the ground chicken, breaking up all of the clumps. Sauté for 4 minutes.
    Thai, main course, chicken
  • Stir in the long beans and onions. Sauté for 4 minutes.
    Thai, main course, chicken
  • Pour in the sauce. Cook for 2 more minutes.
    Thai, main course, chicken
  • Take off the heat. Stir in the holy basil.
    Thai, main course, chicken
Thai, main course, chicken
Serve with jasmine rice. Top with some fried eggs.