Thai Basil Fried Rice w/ Chicken

Name: Thai Basil Fried Rice with Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 15 g garlic (minced); 2 g Thai chili (sliced thinly); 24 g vegetable oil; 150 g chicken thigh (cut into ¼ thick strips (or shrimp, tofu, pork belly, etc.)); 77 g onion (chopped); 2 large eggs; 16 g fish sauce (Thai fish sauce preferred); 36 g oyster sauce (Thai oyster sauce preferred); 4 g white granulated sugar; 300 g cooked Jasmine rice (day-old & cold preferred); 20 g Thai basil leaves; salt; cucumbers (sliced optional)

Thai basil fried rice with chicken is a savory, sweet, and spicy one-pan dish built on umami layers from fish sauce and oyster sauce. Day-old cold jasmine rice and quick-cooking chicken thigh make this a fast weeknight meal.

🌍Thai 🏷️Fried rice

Total

25 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Medium

Est. Cost

$25–$41

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Hungryhuy

Ingredients

15 g garlic (minced)

2 g Thai chili (sliced thinly)

24 g vegetable oil

150 g chicken thigh (cut into ¼ thick strips (or shrimp, tofu, pork belly, etc.))

77 g onion (chopped)

2 large eggs

16 g fish sauce (Thai fish sauce preferred)

36 g oyster sauce (Thai oyster sauce preferred)

4 g white granulated sugar

300 g cooked Jasmine rice (day-old & cold preferred)

20 g Thai basil leaves

salt

cucumbers (sliced optional)optional

13 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
In a large saute pan, wok, or cast iron pan over medium heat, add the vegetable oil, garlic, and Thai chiles. Cook for about 30 seconds or until fragrant.
2
Add the chicken (or other protein) and stir. Cook for about 2 minutes or until the chicken is brown.
3
Add the onions and cook for 1 minute or until they begin to slightly turn translucent.
4
Move the chicken and onions to the side of the pan. Crack the two eggs into the middle of the pan and use your spatula to stir the eggs until they turn opaque. Stir to combine the scrambled eggs and chicken.
5
Pour the oyster sauce, fish sauce, and sprinkle the sugar over the chicken mixture until it’s thoroughly incorporated.
6
Use your hands to sprinkle in the day old rice into the pan, breaking up any chunks. Mix with the spatula. Cook and stir occasionally for about 1-2 minutes.
7
Add the Thai basil. Stir and cook for 1 minute or until the basil wilts and releases a sweet aroma. Taste the fried rice and add salt if necessary.
8
Serve the fried rice immediately with a side of cucumbers.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Use cold, day-old jasmine rice—warm or fresh rice releases too much moisture and becomes mushy.
Mince garlic and slice Thai chili finely so they cook evenly and distribute flavor throughout the rice in the first 30 seconds.
Push the scrambled eggs to the side of the pan before adding rice, so they stay in distinct pieces rather than breaking into small bits.
Add fish sauce and oyster sauce early while the pan is hot to allow the umami flavors to meld throughout the rice, not just coat the surface.

Substitutions

Chicken thigh → shrimp, tofu, or pork belly (adjust cooking time accordingly)
Thai fish sauce → reduced-sodium soy sauce or tamari (use 2/3 the amount, though umami will be less pronounced)
Thai oyster sauce → regular oyster sauce or hoisin (slight flavor shift, but texture remains)

Storage & make-ahead

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water to restore moisture.

Common Questions

Can I use day-old rice or do I need to cook fresh rice?

Day-old cold rice is preferred—it has less moisture and won't clump. If using fresh-cooked rice, spread it on a plate to cool and dry slightly before frying.

What can I substitute for chicken?

Shrimp, tofu, pork belly, or a mix work equally well. Adjust cooking time: shrimp needs 2–3 minutes, tofu 1–2 minutes, pork belly 4–5 minutes.

Can I make this without fish sauce?

Fish sauce is key to authentic Thai flavor, but you can reduce it by half and add extra oyster sauce or soy sauce, though the umami depth will be less.