Authentic Thai Recipe for
Spicy Stir-fried Chicken with Eggplant
Authentic Thai Recipe for
Spicy Stir-fried Chicken with Eggplant
ไกผัดพริกแกงมะเขือ (Gai Pad Prik Kaeng sai Makua)
Currently rated: 
Rated 4.5 Stars from 3143 reader reviews
First published on January 18, 2016
Recipe by W. Tipsuwan
Yield: 2 - 4 servings
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Ready in: 10 minutes
Ingredient List:
- 1 large whole Chicken Leg
- 6 - 8 Thai eggplants
- 3 - 4 Thai Long Chilies
- 1 cup Thai Sweet Basil
- 1 1/2 - 2 Tablespoons Thai Red Curry Paste
- 2 teaspoons Light Soy Sauce
- 2 teaspoons Fish Sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Sugar
About my Gai Pad Prik Kaeng sai Makua:
About my Gai Pad Prik Kaeng sai Makua:
This quick and easy stir-fried chicken dish with Thai eggplant and red chili paste is one the most popular dishes at the restaurant. We use the meat from a nice big chicken leg, but you can use the same recipe to make it with chicken breast, pork, or even beef. Serve with a nice helping of delicious Thai Jasmine rice on the side for a satisfying plate lunch or as part of a meal with other foods.
Step by Step Directions:
Step by Step Directions:
How to Make Gai Pad Prik Kaeng sai Makua
How to Make Gai Pad Prik Kaeng sai Makua
Step 1
Remove the skin and bone from a large chicken leg, and cut the meat into chunky bit-sized pieces.
Step 2
We use the round Thai eggplant, but you can use any type of firm eggplant for this dish and it comes out great. We cut the eggplant into quarters, then soak it in a bowl of water with 2 teaspoons of salt. The salt will help the eggplant retain a bright green color.
Step 3
Like with all our spicy chili paste dishes, we use the type of basil we call Horapah. It is the one known as Star of Siam or Thai Sweet Basil, and has a distinct aroma and flavor like licorice or anise. Be sure you are using the right one for the correct flavor. Pluck the leaves and purple flower tops to get about 1 cup or more.
Step 4
Slice the mild green chili on a diagonal.
Step 5
This dish cooks up fast, so have everything measured and ready before you start frying.
Step 6
Heat about 1 Tablespoon of oil in a wok or frying pan over low heat. Add the red curry paste and fry it slowly until smooth and creamy. Keep the heat low so it doesn't burn.
Step 7
Turn the heat up to medium high. Add the chicken meat and fry it in the chili until completely cooked, stirring constantly.
Step 8
When the chili and chicken are dry and sticking to the pan a little, add the sauces and sugar. Stir it all up and cook until the sugar melts and you have just a little sauce.
Step 9
Add about 2 Tablespoons of water and stir it all up well. Let it get hot and smooth as you continue frying.
Step 10
Drain the salt water from the eggplant and rinse it well under clean water. Add it to the chili and chicken mixture, stir it all up, and fry for about 3 - 4 minutes or until the eggplant starts to soften. Keep stirring, and add small amounts of water as needed to keep it from getting dry. You want the finished dish to have a nice sauce, not be dry and stiff.
Step 11
Add the green chili and continue stir frying for about a minute.
Step 12
Turn off the heat and stir in the basil. Let it wilt in the residual heat as the pan cools.
Step 13
Serve while very hot with some steamed Thai Jasmine rice. Garnish with some fresh basil tops.
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