Thai Fried Rice with Chicken and Vegetables

The sizzle of garlic hitting hot oil always takes me back to street food stalls at our local Thai Street festival, where vendors create magical Thai Fried Rice in giant woks. This fragrant dish features jasmine rice tossed with tender chicken, colorful vegetables, and a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. Unlike Chinese fried rice, Thai versions incorporate fish sauce and a hint of sugar to achieve that authentic Thai flavor profile, which is uniquely addictive yet not overwhelmingly spicy.

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What Makes Thai Chicken Fried Rice So Amazing 

Thai Fried Rice achieves its distinctive flavor through the perfect balance of fish sauce, soy sauce, and a touch of sugar. The secret lies in cooking with high heat to create that authentic “wok hei” (breath of the wok) and using cold, day-old rice that maintains its structure during stir-frying. This one-pan meal comes together in minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or whenever you’re craving authentic Thai flavors at home.

Thai Fried Rice Ingredients

To make this Thai Fried Rice recipe, you’ll need:

• Fish sauce – Provides that distinctive umami and tangy Thai flavor base
• Thai chili – Adds controlled heat that builds gradually
• Vegetable oil – Creates the high-heat cooking surface needed for proper stir-frying
• Eggs – Contributes richness and protein while absorbing surrounding flavors
• Boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs – Offers lean protein that cooks quickly
• Onion – Provides aromatic foundation and subtle sweetness
• Tomato – Adds moisture, acidity, and natural sweetness
• Frozen peas and carrots – Contributes color, texture, and nutritional value
• Cold cooked rice – Forms the essential base that absorbs flavors while maintaining structure
• Sugar – Balances the savory elements with subtle sweetness
• Ground black pepper – Adds warm, mild spice that complements other flavors
• Soy sauce – Contributes depth and umami while adding rich color
• Thai basil, sliced green onion tops, and/or cilantro – Provides fresh, aromatic finish

Ingredient Notes

Look for Thai fish (nam pla) sauce for this recipe. It really makes a difference in the flavor. If your local store doesn’t carry it, you can find it online.

Use real Thai basil, or leave it out. Sweet basil is not a suitable substitute. 

Firm, less juicy tomatoes like a Roma or a pear variety are preferable for this recipe. 

How to Make Thai Fried Rice

Here are the simple recipe steps:

1. Dice the onion and tomato. 
2. Thinly slice the chili diagonally and combine with the fish sauce in a small bowl. Add the sugar, pepper, and soy sauce. Stir to dissolve the sugar. 
3. Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. 
4. Add cold oil to the hot skillet. 
5. Scramble the eggs until mostly dry, and remove them from the pan.

6. Let the pan heat up and pour in more oil if needed.
7. Sear the chicken quickly, and then add the onion, tomato, peas, and carrots. Stir-fry until the carrots soften and the chicken cooks through. 

8. Break up any clumps of rice and add to the pan. Cook for a minute or so, then pour in the fish sauce mixture

9. Return the eggs to the pan.
10. Stir and cook over high until the rice is dry and shiny. 
11. Garnish with chopped Thai basil leaves and serve hot. 

Thai Fried Rice Recipe Variations

Thai Basil Fried Rice

This is a classic variation on the menu of just about every Thai restaurant. To make Thai Basil Fried Rice, follow the recipe as written. Just up the amount of Thai basil to half of a cup. Wait until the very end of the cooking process to stir in thinly sliced Thai basil for the best flavor. 

Thai Pineapple Fried Rice

Follow the recipe as written, but replace the carrots and peas in step seven of the recipe with three-quarters of a cup of small diced and drained canned pineapples. Use cilantro instead of Thai basil as a garnish. 

Thai Shrimp Fried Rice

Swap the chicken for a half-pound of medium (51/60) shrimp. Wait for the carrots to soften slightly before adding the shrimp.

Thai Beef or Pork Fried Rice

Simply swap the chicken for beef or pork. Sirloin or flank steak are great choices for beef. Pork shoulder or pork loin are the best cuts of pork for stir-fry.

Vegetarian Thai Fried Rice

Remove the chicken from this recipe or, better yet, replace it with diced tofu. If you opt for tofu, try cutting it into half-inch slabs and pressing as much of the liquid out of each slab as possible. You can dice and use the tofu at this point or freeze it for at least four hours to give it a chewier texture. 

Don’t forget to leave out the fish sauce or swap it with a vegetarian fish sauce substitute.

Storage and Reheating

Refrigeration (Up to 2 Days)

1. Chill a rimmed baking tray in the freezer for 1 hour.
2. Spread leftover fried rice in a thin layer on the cold tray.
3. Refrigerate to cool quickly, then transfer to a covered container.
4. Consume within 2 days for best quality and safety.

Freezing (Up to 3 Months)

1. Follow steps 1-2 from refrigeration instructions.
2. Place tray in freezer until rice is frozen solid.
3. Transfer to freezer bags, removing as much air as possible.
4. Store for up to 3 months.

Reheating Instructions

• Stovetop: Add 1 tablespoon water or broth per cup of rice in a hot skillet. Stir frequently until heated through.
• Microwave: Cover rice with a damp paper towel. Heat refrigerated rice for 2 minutes and frozen rice for 3 minutes. Let stand 1 minute before uncovering.

Love Thai Food? Try These Recipes!

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• Instant Pot Thai Curry
• Thai Noodle Salad
• Thai Peanut Chicken
• Thai Peanut Sauce

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Check out more of my easy dinner recipes and the best Asian food recipes here on CopyKat!