Zesty Thai Basil Chicken Fried Rice Recipe You’ll Love

Sizzling woks and aromatic Thai basil chicken fried rice dance together in a culinary symphony that captures the essence of street food magic.

Bold flavors burst from every grain, telling a story of Thailand’s vibrant kitchen traditions.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of savory, spicy, and fragrant notes that leap from the plate.

Home cooks can easily recreate this restaurant-quality dish with simple ingredients and a few smart techniques.

The combination of tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and fresh basil creates a melody of textures that will delight your palate.

You’ll fall in love with this quick and satisfying meal that brings Southeast Asian comfort right to your dinner table.

Dive into this recipe and let your taste buds embark on an unforgettable flavor adventure.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15min

Cook Time: 15min

Total Time: 30min

Calories: 490 kcal

Servings: 3

What You Need for Thai Basil Chicken Fried Rice

• Chicken Thighs: Tender meat that absorbs marinades beautifully, delivering rich flavor and succulent texture to the dish.

• Garlic, Yellow Onion: Foundational flavor builders that create a robust and fragrant base for the fried rice.
• Red Bird's Eye Chilies, Green Bird's Eye Chilies: Fiery peppers that inject bold, electrifying heat and authentic Thai zest.
• Large Red Chili: Provides gentle warmth and vibrant color for garnishing and mild spice enhancement.

• Light Soy Sauce: Adds savory depth and classic umami character to the chicken and overall dish.
• Fish Sauce: Delivers traditional Thai seasoning with complex, salty maritime essence.
• Oyster Sauce: Contributes rich, slightly sweet undertones that amplify the overall flavor profile.
• Sweet Dark Soy Sauce: Creates caramelized color and subtle sweetness to balance spicy elements.
• Ground White Pepper: Introduces subtle, warm spiciness with sophisticated aromatic notes.
• Sugar: Balances and harmonizes the intense savory and spicy flavor components.

• Holy Basil Leaves: Signature Thai herb with peppery, slightly spicy character that elevates the entire dish.
• Canola Oil: Neutral cooking oil perfect for high-heat stir-frying without overpowering other flavors.
• Cooked Rice: Day-old rice works best, ensuring optimal texture and preventing mushiness during cooking.

• Cucumber: Provides cool, crisp contrast to the spicy and rich fried rice.
• Water: Helps adjust sauce consistency and prevent burning during cooking.

Tools for Stir Frying Thai Basil Rice

• Wok: Large, essential for high-heat stir-frying and even cooking.
• Mixing Bowl: Medium-sized, perfect for marinating chicken.
• Mortar and Pestle: Crucial for grinding garlic and chilies into a coarse paste.
• Measuring Cup: Helps combine sauce ingredients accurately.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping vegetables and chicken.
• Sharp Knife: Required for slicing onions, chilies, and trimming chicken.
• Spoon: Used for mixing marinades and stirring during cooking.
• Paper Towels: Helpful for drying herbs and cleaning up.

Cooking Thai Basil Chicken Fried Rice Steps

Thai Basil Chicken Fried Rice

• Chicken Preparation

Trim and slice chicken thighs into small pieces. Season with sauces and pepper, ensuring each morsel gets coated evenly. Let marinate while prepping other ingredients.

• Ingredient Crushing

Smash garlic and chilies into a coarse paste using a mortar and pestle. Slice onions and red chilies with care. Delicately remove basil leaves from stems and clean thoroughly.

• Sauce Creation

Blend oyster sauce, soy sauces, sugar, and water in a small container. Whisk until ingredients merge into a harmonious liquid.

• Sizzling Base

Heat wok with oil until it shimmers. Toss in marinated chicken, cooking until edges turn golden and meat loses its raw appearance.

• Flavor Development

Introduce onions and create a fragrant landscape with garlic-chili paste. Stir quickly to prevent burning and release intense aromas.

• Rice Integration

Fold rice into the wok, allowing sauce to coat each grain. Break up any clumps, creating a uniform texture and color.

• Herbal Finale

Sprinkle holy basil leaves, letting them wilt and infuse their distinct flavor. Remove from heat immediately to preserve freshness.

• Plating Magic

Transfer rice to serving dish. Garnish with reserved chili slices. Accompany with cucumber and optional fish sauce for added zest.

Spice and Protein Swaps for Thai Fried Rice

• Replace chicken with shrimp, tofu, or beef for a different flavor profile and protein variety. Each protein brings its own unique texture and taste to the classic fried rice.
• Use day-old cold rice for best results. Freshly cooked rice can become mushy and clump together, while cold rice separates easily and creates perfect fried rice grains.
• Adjust the number of chilies to match your heat tolerance. Remove seeds from chilies to reduce spiciness or add more for an extra fiery kick. Mild lovers can use fewer chilies, while heat seekers can go wild.
• If holy basil is unavailable, regular Thai basil or Italian basil can work as alternatives. Each herb will slightly change the dish's authentic flavor but still provide a delicious aromatic touch.
• Make extra rice and chicken to create instant meal prep options. Store separately in airtight containers for quick weeknight dinners or lunch box solutions that reheat beautifully.

How to Serve Thai Basil Fried Rice

• Spicy Sidekick Companions: Pair this Thai basil chicken fried rice with crisp cucumber slices and a zesty fish sauce dipping condiment to balance the heat and add refreshing contrast.
• Chili Lover's Dream: Sprinkle extra fresh chili slices on top for those who crave an intense spicy kick, allowing each person to customize their heat level.
• Weekend Brunch Twist: Transform this dish into a killer weekend brunch option by adding a perfectly fried sunny-side-up egg on top, creating a rich and creamy texture that melds beautifully with the rice.
• Family-Style Feast: Serve in a large communal platter for a fun, interactive dining experience where everyone can scoop their own portion and share the delicious flavors together.

Thai Fried Rice Storage Tips

• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Whip up a large batch of this Thai basil chicken fried rice and divide into individual portions for quick weekday meals. Perfect for busy professionals and meal preppers looking to save time and enjoy delicious home-cooked food.
• Refrigerator Storage Magic: Keep leftover fried rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The flavors will continue to develop, making each bite even more delicious when reheated gently in a hot wok or skillet.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Freeze portions in sealed containers or freezer bags for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly, adding a splash of water to restore moisture and prevent dryness.
• Smart Ingredient Prep: Chop extra garlic, chilies, and slice chicken in advance to cut down on cooking time. Store prepared ingredients in separate sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, making last-minute cooking a breeze.

Aromatic Thai Basil Chicken Fried Rice

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• Total Time: 30min
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Spicy Thai basil chicken fried rice delivers authentic Southeast Asian flavors with a perfect balance of heat and herbal notes. Quick weeknight meals become extraordinary when home cooks master this classic Thai street dish.

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Ingredients

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• 250 g (0.55 lbs) chicken thighs, boneless, skinless, cleaned and pat-dried, excess fat trimmed, and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 3 tbsps oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1 tsp light soy sauce
• ½ tbsp sweet dark soy sauce
• 1 tsp fish sauce
• ¼ tsp ground white pepper
• 1 tsp white sugar
• 1 tbsp water (or chicken broth)
• Cucumber slices
• Fish sauce with chopped chilies (optional)

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Instructions

1. Marinade Preparation: Slice chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and immerse in a blend of light soy sauce, fish sauce, and ground white pepper. Allow flavors to penetrate while preparing remaining ingredients.
2. Aromatic Foundation: Crush garlic and Bird’s eye chilies into a coarse paste using a mortar and pestle. Slice yellow onion and red chili diagonally, reserving some chili for garnishing. Create a unified sauce by whisking oyster sauce, light soy sauce, sweet dark soy sauce, sugar, and water until seamlessly integrated.
3. Intense Cooking Process: Heat canola oil in a wok over high flame. Sear marinated chicken until golden and thoroughly cooked. Introduce onions, garlic-chili paste, and red chili slices, stir-frying vigorously to develop deep, complex flavor profiles.
4. Rice Integration: Add rice and drizzle prepared sauce, aggressively mixing to break rice clusters and ensure uniform sauce distribution. Gently fold holy basil leaves into the mixture, allowing them to wilt and release their distinctive fragrance.
5. Plating and Presentation: Transfer fried rice to serving dishes, strategically positioning reserved chili slices for visual enhancement. Accompany with cucumber slices and optional fish sauce with chopped chilies for an authentic Thai culinary experience.

Notes

• Marinate for Depth: Let chicken soak in the marinade for at least 15 minutes to enhance flavor absorption and tenderness.
• Wok Heat Matters: Ensure your wok is scorching hot to achieve the signature wok hei (breath of the wok) and prevent soggy rice.
• Basil Timing is Crucial: Add holy basil leaves at the very end to preserve their vibrant color and intense aroma without wilting completely.
• Rice Temperature Tip: Use day-old cold rice to prevent clumping and achieve that perfect fried rice texture with distinct grains.

• Prep Time: 15min
• Cook Time: 15min
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 490
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg