**Recipe: Spicy Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai)**
Spicy Thai Basil Chicken, or Pad Krapow Gai, is a beloved Thai street food dish that’s both flavorful and easy to make. It’s a favorite recipe of many, offering a perfect balance of heat, aromatic herbs, and savory flavors. Here’s how to prepare this delightful dish:
**Ingredients:**
– 1 lb (450g) ground chicken or thinly sliced chicken breast/thighs
– 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
– 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
– 2-3 Thai bird’s eye chilies, finely chopped (adjust to your spice preference)
– 1 cup fresh Thai holy basil leaves (or substitute with sweet basil)
– 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
– 1 tablespoon soy sauce
– 1 teaspoon fish sauce
– 1/2 teaspoon sugar
– Jasmine rice, for serving
– Fried egg (optional), for topping
**Instructions:**
1. Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat.
2. Add the minced garlic and chopped chilies. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add the ground chicken and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until it’s no longer pink and starts to brown.
4. Stir in the oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, and sugar. Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes.
5. Add the fresh basil leaves and stir-fry for an additional 1-2 minutes until the basil is wilted and well combined with the chicken.
6. Serve the Spicy Thai Basil Chicken over jasmine rice, and if you like it extra authentic, top it with a fried egg.
**Quote:**
“Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate.” – Alan D. Wolfelt
This Spicy Thai Basil Chicken recipe is not just a dish; it’s a flavorful embodiment of passion, heat, and the joy of savoring delicious food. It’s a favorite for those who appreciate the vibrant and bold flavors of Thai cuisine and a reminder that a well-prepared meal can express love and care better than words.
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