Thai Basil Chicken Rice Bowl (Pad Krapow Gai Style)

Pad krapow gai is one of Thailand’s best-loved quick stir-fries: minced chicken cooked hot and fast with garlic, chilli, savoury sauces and plenty of Thai basil. Served over jasmine rice, it is bold, aromatic and deeply savoury, with the basil bringing a peppery freshness that cuts through the glossy, salty-sweet glaze. A crisp-edged fried egg is a classic finishing touch, adding richness and turning the bowl into a complete, satisfying meal. Lime at the table keeps the flavours bright, making it an easy lunch or weeknight dinner with real street-food character.
Cuisine style Thai street-food rice bowl
Flavor profile Savoury • Salty • Umami • Peppery basil
Techniques Stir-frying • Boiling rice • Pan-frying
Key equipment Wok • Saucepan • Frying pan
Spice level Medium
Time commitment Under 1 hour

Why this recipe works

  • Fast wok cooking: Minced chicken cooks quickly, and mixing the sauce before stir-frying keeps the process smooth and efficient.
  • Deep savoury glaze: Fish sauce, soy sauce and oyster sauce bring salty, umami depth, while palm sugar rounds the edges into a glossy coating.
  • Fresh aromatic finish: Garlic, chilli and Thai basil give the bowl its punch, with the basil folded through at the end to preserve its fragrance.

Get the most out of this recipe

Adjust the heat

  • Make it milder: Use less chilli or remove the seeds before slicing. The rice, egg and lime will still keep the bowl satisfying and balanced.
  • Add more heat: Increase the fresh chilli or finish with extra sliced chilli at the table for a sharper, fresher heat.
  • Keep the heat balanced: A squeeze of lime at the end helps lift the salty sauce and keeps the chilli from tasting heavy.

Ingredient notes

  • Thai basil matters: Fresh Thai basil gives the dish its peppery, slightly aniseed aroma. Regular basil can work in a pinch, but the flavour will be softer.
  • Balance the sauce: Palm sugar rounds out the salty sauces. If using light brown sugar, taste before adjusting further, as sweetness levels can vary.
  • Finish with lime: Add lime after cooking rather than during the stir-fry so the acidity stays bright and fresh.

Common mistakes

  • Scorching the aromatics: Garlic and chilli can catch quickly in a hot wok, so keep them moving and add the chicken as soon as they smell fragrant.
  • Stewing the chicken: If the pan is overcrowded or not hot enough, the mince releases moisture and steams instead of taking on a little colour.
  • Adding basil too early: Thai basil is best folded through off the heat, where it wilts gently without losing its fresh aroma.

Make-ahead tips

  • Store separately: Cool the rice and chicken quickly, then refrigerate in separate airtight containers. Fry the eggs fresh for the best texture.
  • Freeze the chicken only: The basil chicken freezes better without rice or egg. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
  • Reheat gently: Warm the chicken in a microwave or frying pan with a splash of water until piping hot, then serve with fresh lime.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Rinse the jasmine rice until the water runs mostly clear, then tip into a saucepan with the water. Bring to the boil, cover, and cook on the lowest heat for 12 minutes. Take off the heat and leave covered for 8 minutes, then fluff with a spoon.
  2. Meanwhile, finely slice the garlic and red chilli. In a small bowl, stir together the palm sugar, fish sauce, soy sauce and oyster sauce until the sugar dissolves.
  3. Heat 1 tbsp sunflower oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and chilli and stir-fry for 20 to 30 seconds until fragrant, keeping it moving so it does not burn. Add the minced chicken and cook for 4 to 6 minutes, breaking it up, until no longer pink and starting to take on a little colour.
  4. Pour in the sauce and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes until it coats the chicken and looks glossy. Take off the heat and fold through the Thai basil so it wilts in the residual heat. Taste and squeeze in a little lime to brighten the flavours.
  5. If using the eggs, heat the remaining 1 tbsp sunflower oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Crack in the eggs and fry for 2 to 3 minutes until the edges are crisp and the whites are set, or cook longer for firmer yolks. Spoon the basil chicken over the rice and top with the fried eggs, serving with extra lime on the side.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • For the most authentic texture, keep the wok hot and stir-fry the chicken in a single layer so it browns rather than stews.
  • If you are serving vulnerable groups, cook the eggs until the yolks are firm and the whites are fully set.

Substitutions

  • Replace Fresh Thai basil with Fresh basil if you cannot find it; the flavour will be less peppery but still fragrant.
  • Replace Palm sugar with Light brown sugar in the same amount for a similar sweetness.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Cool the rice and chicken quickly, then refrigerate in airtight containers. Reheat in a microwave or a frying pan with a splash of water until piping hot; fry eggs fresh for serving. Freeze the chicken (without rice or eggs) for best texture, then defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat until piping hot.

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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 2 servings
  • Total time: 30min (20min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: Thai
  • Allergens:
    Eggs Molluscs Soybeans
Beginner friendly Freezer friendly

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