Spicy Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai)

Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Servings: 2
Yield: 2 servings

Description

Chef John's version of this classic Thai dish, made with freshly chopped chicken thighs and fresh basil, has a rich sauce that cooks down into a caramelized glaze.

Ingredients

1/3 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce, or as needed
2 teaspoons fish sauce
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 teaspoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken thighs, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup sliced shallots
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons minced Thai chilies, Serrano, or other hot pepper
1 cup very thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
2 cups hot cooked rice

Directions

1 Gather ingredients.
2 Whisk chicken broth, oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, white sugar, and brown sugar together in a bowl until well blended.
3 Heat large skillet over high heat. Drizzle in oil. Add chopped chicken and stir fry until it loses its raw color, 2 to 3 minutes.
4 Stir in shallots, garlic, and sliced chilies. Continue cooking on high heat until some of the juices start to caramelize in the bottom of the pan, about 2 or 3 more minutes.
5 Add about a tablespoon of the sauce mixture to the skillet; cook and stir until sauce begins to caramelize, about 1 minute.
6 Pour in the rest of the sauce. Cook and stir until sauce has deglazed the bottom of the pan. Continue to cook until sauce glazes onto the meat, 1 or 2 more minutes. Remove from heat.
7 Stir in basil. Cook and stir until basil is wilted, about 20 seconds. Serve with rice.
8 Serve hot and enjoy!