Phad Kra Pao Gai - Holy Basil Stir Fry with Chicken

Let’s ring in the New Year with a new recipe from Thailand! This Holy Basil Stir Fry is easy to make, gluten free, and customizable to your taste and needs. If you’re willing to try and make this yourself, you’ll surely impress anyone who eats it. So let’s bring a classic Thai street food dish to your home and begin!

Tools:

  • Wok (preferred), or high-walled frying pan.

  • Ladle or spatula

  • Stovetop

Ingredients (for 1 serving):

  • 3-4oz chicken émincé (meaning minced or thinly sliced). Tofu is acceptable too!

  • ¾ oz red onion/shallot - fine julienne (small, thin strips)

  • ½ tsp garlic - minced

  • 1 tsp thai chili - sliced

  • 1 tsp oyster sauce

  • ½ tsp sweet soy sauce

  • ½ tsp sugar (or preferred sugar alternative)

  • 2 oz fresh green beans - cut.

  • ½ oz holy/thai basil

  • Avocado oil (or preferred high-heat oil) as needed. Try using an oil spray to conserve the total amount of oil used!

  • 1 egg

  • 4-8 oz steamed brown rice (or preferred rice/grain alternative). Try using quinoa for an experimental twist!

*Bolded ingredients are required, otherwise, play with it! Italicized ingredients are preferred, but can be substituted.

Directions:

  1. In wok, add oil and preheat before adding chicken. You want to hear a sizzle when the meat goes into the pan. 

  2. Once meat begins turning white, add onion and garlic, stir-frying until aromatic.

  3. Add sauces, sugar, and chili. Finish with basil.

  4. Plate rice in serving dish and ladle chicken mixture over.

  5. In the same wok/pan used, fry egg, then plate on top of the chicken mixture.

  6. Garnish with additional basil, onion, or chili. Then, enjoy!

Education:

Let’s break down what the name means (the answer is in the title of this article!): “phad” loosely means stir-fried, “kra pao” means holy basil, and “gai” means chicken. And all together this dish means “delicious!”

Have questions about ingredients in this dish or how this recipe fits into your health and fitness goals? Don’t hesitate to reach out to me via my email below or schedule a Personal Training session with me through MindBody. Happy New Year!


-Kyler | kyler@ballardhealthclub.com
Cert. Nutrition Coach, CPT

NutritionBallard Health Club