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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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