Pad Prik King (Red Curry Chicken and Green Beans) Recipe
Pad Prik King is a flavorful Thai dish featuring tender boneless chicken thighs and crisp green beans cooked in a fragrant red curry paste with garlic, oyster sauce, and kaffir lime leaves. Served over jasmine rice, this stir-fried dish balances savory, spicy, and citrus notes for an authentic taste of Thailand.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1/2-by-2-inch strips
Main Dish
- 1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
- 4 teaspoons minced garlic
- 3 to 4 tablespoons red curry paste
- 8 ounces long beans or green beans, cut into 1-inch segments (about 2 cups)
- 2 teaspoons oyster sauce (preferably Thai)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
- 12 makrut lime leaves, thinly sliced crosswise
- Cooked jasmine rice, for serving
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, mix 2 tablespoons water with cornstarch and salt. Add the chicken strips and stir vigorously to coat and combine evenly, allowing the chicken to tenderize slightly.
- Heat the Oil and Sauté Garlic: Heat the canola or vegetable oil in a wok or large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Add and Cook the Red Curry Paste: Add the red curry paste to the garlic and oil, mashing it into the oil with the spatula. Cook until it darkens, becomes fragrant, and begins to crumble, approximately 3 minutes, which helps release its flavors into the oil.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the marinated chicken mixture to the wok and stir frequently. Cook until the chicken pieces are no longer pink on the outside, about 4 minutes, ensuring even cooking.
- Add Vegetables and Seasoning: Stir in the green beans, oyster sauce, and 1/4 cup water. Cook while stirring occasionally for about 3 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the beans are tender-crisp.
- Finish with Sugar and Lime Leaves: Add the sugar and thinly sliced makrut lime leaves. Stir and cook for an additional 1 minute to blend the flavors well.
- Serve: Serve the Pad Prik King hot over steamed jasmine rice or with rice on the side if accompanied by other dishes.
Notes
- For authentic flavor, use Thai red curry paste and fresh makrut (kaffir) lime leaves.
- Long beans can be substituted with green beans if unavailable.
- Adjust the amount of red curry paste according to your spice preference.
- Ensure not to overcook the beans to keep them crisp and bright.
- Using boneless, skinless chicken thighs keeps the meat tender and juicy.
Keywords: Pad Prik King, Thai red curry chicken, green beans, stir-fry, Thai cuisine, spicy chicken, quick dinner
