Pad Kra Pao – Chicken & Holy Basil Stir-Fry Recipe

Delve into the unbeatable world of Thai cuisine with this super simple recipe for Pad Kra Pao, kindly provided by @mumslockdownmeals on Instagram. Bursting with rich, mouth-watering flavours and just a few ingredients, this recipe is sure to be a big hit with minimal effort!

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What is Pad Kra Pao

Pad Kra Pao, or Pad Gaprao (there are a couple of English spellings) is a classic Thai dish. It’s a popular fixture in food courts and street food stalls as it’s quick and easy to make but offers a delicious, fulfilling lunch. Traditional versions of this dish only really have a few ingredients – but they blend together so well!

Pad Kra Pao translates as ‘holy basil stir fry’, which refers to one of the key ingredients. Despite the name, holy basil is quite different from the basil you may typically find in Italian cuisine. This herb has a more peppery, almost liquorice or clove-like taste, making it a tasty, flavour-enhancing addition to dishes that use chillies.

The dish itself includes some kind of meat (could be chicken, beef or pork), which is cooked in an aromatic holy basil and chilli sauce and served alongside some rice. Typically, it is also topped with a fried egg.

Pad Kra Pao Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 tsp rapeseed oil
• 1.5 tbsp Maesri chilli paste with basil leaves
• Jasmine rice
• Fried egg
• Spring onions

Pad Kra Pao Method

1. This version is kept pretty simple, so there aren’t too many instructions to follow. Simply cut your chicken into small bite-size pieces and stir-fry them in the oil until cooked.
2. Add in the paste and ensure the chicken is fully coated. Cook for another few minutes.
3. Serve with jasmine rice, a fried egg and a sprinkle of chopped spring onions!

For more popular Thai dishes or meal ideas from across Asia, check out our other recipes.