Thai Stir-Fry · thai cuisine
Holy Basil Chicken Stir-Fry (Pad Kra Pao)
Screaming-hot pan, holy basil last, fish sauce until it smells right. Egg on rice optional but recommended.
From my kitchen notebook
Holy basil last, wok as hot as your stove allows. Fried egg on rice is optional but, in my house, mandatory.
Recipe card
Why this recipe works
Pad kra pao is what you cook when you are hungry and impatient in the best way. High heat, minced meat, garlic-chilli paste, a hit of sauces, and a mountain of holy basil that wilts into peppery perfume. Thai holy basil (kra pao) is sharper than Thai sweet basil — if you can only find Italian basil, the dish still tastes good, just different. The fried egg with crispy lace edges is not optional in my house.
Expert kitchen tips
- A teaspoon of water in the wok helps sauces coat if things look dry.
- Do not cook basil for long or it turns black and bitter.
Ingredients
- 300g minced chicken (or pork)
- 5 garlic cloves, 3–8 Thai chillies (to taste)
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tbsp light soy, 1 tsp dark soy, 1 tsp fish sauce, 1 tsp sugar
- Large handful holy basil leaves
- Neutral oil, steamed rice, 2 fried eggs
Step-by-step method
Pound or mince garlic and chillies into a rough paste.- Heat a wok until smoking. Add oil, then garlic-chilli; stir seconds until fragrant.
Add mince; stir-fry until cooked and a little browned. Add sauces and sugar; toss.- Kill the heat, fold in holy basil until just wilted.
Serve over rice with a crispy-edged fried egg.
Estimated nutrition
About 320 calories per serving (based on 2 servings). Values are estimates for home cooks and vary by brands, oil used, and portion size — not lab-analysed.
Serving ideas & leftovers
Serve hot, taste for seasoning at the table, and store leftovers in an airtight container once cool. Most of these dishes reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water, stock, or the dish’s own sauce so the texture stays kind.
This recipe is original CookMe editorial content for home cooks. Nutrition varies by brands and portions. If you have allergies, check every label. CookMe may display ads via partners such as Mediavine; see our Privacy Policy and Advertising Disclosure.