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Ground Chicken & Holy Basil Stir Fry (Pad Kra Pao)

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This Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Kra Pao) stir-fry is a quick and easy weeknight dinner with bold, aromatic flavors. Made with ground chicken, savory sauces, and fragrant Thai basil, it’s served over steaming Jasmine rice and topped with a fried egg. This dish is spicy, savory, slightly sweet, and utterly irresistible—plus, it’s dairy-free!

Ingredients

Scale

  1. For the Stir-Fry:

    • 2 Tbsp neutral oil (such as grapeseed oil)

    • 3 large scallions, thinly sliced

    • 8 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped

    • 3 Birds eye chiles (Thai chiles), thinly sliced (use less for less spice)

    • 2 medium shallots, peeled and finely chopped

    • 2 lb (32oz) ground chicken

    • 2 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce

    • 2 Tbsp dark soy sauce

    • 2 Tbsp oyster sauce

    • 1 Tbsp fish sauce

    • 1 Tbsp brown sugar

    • 20–30 fresh Thai holy basil leaves (substitute with Thai sweet basil or Italian basil if necessary)

    For Serving:

    • Cooked Jasmine rice (about ¾ cup cooked rice per person)

    • 2 scallions, thinly sliced

    • 1 large fried egg per person (optional but recommended)

    • Additional fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

  • Sauté the Aromatics:
    Heat a large wok or skillet over medium heat. Add 2 Tbsp of neutral oil, then add the thinly sliced scallions, chopped garlic, Thai chiles, and chopped shallots. Cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn the shallots or garlic.

  • Add the Chicken:
    Add the ground chicken to the wok and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until it’s mostly cooked through, about 3-5 minutes.

  • Add Sauce:
    Once the chicken is almost fully cooked, add the following sauce ingredients: 2 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce, 2 Tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 Tbsp oyster sauce, 1 Tbsp fish sauce, and 1 Tbsp brown sugar. Stir until the sugar has dissolved and the chicken is evenly coated in the sauce. Stir in 20-30 fresh basil leaves and cook until wilted, about 1-2 minutes.

 

  • Assemble and Serve:
    Serve generous spoonfuls of the Thai basil chicken over steamed Jasmine rice. Top each portion with a fried egg (a runny yolk is recommended, but cook to your preference), thinly sliced scallions, and extra fresh basil. Serve immediately!

Notes

  • This dish is best served immediately to enjoy the freshness of the basil and the richness of the fried egg.

  • Adjust the number of chiles for your desired spice level.

 

  • If you can’t find Thai holy basil, you can substitute with Thai sweet basil or Italian basil for a similar flavor.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://grandmarecipesflash.com/ground-chicken-holy-basil-stir-fry-pad-kra-pao/