Authentic Thai Chicken Fried Rice
Enjoy the vibrant flavors of Thailand with this Authentic Thai Chicken Fried Rice recipe. This dish combines tender pieces of chicken with perfectly cooked rice and aromatic vegetables, all sautéed to perfection in a savory mix of garlic and fish sauce. It's a fantastic weeknight meal that comes together in just minutes. Serve it alongside fresh cucumber slices and wedges of lime for a refreshing touch, and elevate it with a dash of spicy fish sauce if you prefer extra heat. This versatile recipe allows for substitutions—feel free to swap in pork or your favorite protein for a personalized touch!
N/A
Servings
200
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cooked Rice
4 cups (chilled and broken up to remove clumps)
Vegetable Oil
2 tablespoons (for stir-frying)
Garlic
1 tablespoon (coarsely chopped)
Onion
1/2 cup (chopped)
Boneless Chicken
1/4 lb (thinly sliced into 2-inch strips)
Egg
1 large (beaten)
Fish Sauce
2 tablespoons (for seasoning)
Sugar
1 teaspoon (for seasoning)
Green Onions
2 (thinly sliced crosswise)
Cilantro Leaf
a handful (fresh and coarsely chopped for garnish)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing the rice: place the chilled cooked rice in a bowl and gently break up any clumps using your fingers or a fork. Set aside.
2
Heat a wok or a large, deep skillet over high heat. Once hot, add the vegetable oil. When the oil is shimmering, add the chopped onion and garlic. Stir-fry for about 1 minute until the onions become translucent and fragrant.
3
Add the thinly sliced chicken to the pan, cooking and tossing frequently until the chicken is cooked through and the onions are starting to wilt, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
4
Push the chicken and vegetables to one side of the pan and pour in the beaten egg. Allow it to sit for a moment, then scramble it gently until it is just set, before mixing it into the chicken and vegetable mixture.
5
Next, add the prepped rice to the skillet, followed by the fish sauce, sugar, and sliced green onions. Stir everything together and cook while tossing frequently until the rice is heated through and tender, about 3 to 5 minutes.
6
Finally, garnish the fried rice with fresh cilantro before serving. Pair the dish with small bowls of fish sauce seasoned with hot chilies for an extra kick, if desired. Serve hot or warm for the best flavor.
Nutrition Information
5g
Fat
27.5g
Carbs
8.75g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Authentic Thai Chicken Fried Rice?
Authentic Thai Chicken Fried Rice is a vibrant dish that combines tender chicken, perfectly cooked rice, and aromatic vegetables like garlic and onions, seasoned with fish sauce and sugar.
What type of rice is best for this recipe?
Chilled cooked rice is best because it is firmer and less likely to become mushy when stir-fried.
Why should I use chilled rice?
Chilling the rice helps remove moisture and allows you to break up clumps easily, ensuring the grains stay separate during cooking.
How do I prepare the rice before cooking?
Place the chilled rice in a bowl and gently break up any clumps using your fingers or a fork.
What protein is used in this recipe?
This recipe uses 1/4 lb of boneless chicken, thinly sliced into 2-inch strips.
Can I substitute the chicken with other meats?
Yes, you can easily swap the chicken for pork, shrimp, or your preferred protein.
What kind of oil should I use for stir-frying?
Vegetable oil is recommended for its high smoke point and neutral flavor.
What are the main aromatics in this dish?
The main aromatics are 1 tablespoon of coarsely chopped garlic and 1/2 cup of chopped onion.
How long do I stir-fry the garlic and onion?
Stir-fry them for about 1 minute until the onions become translucent and fragrant.
How many eggs are required?
This recipe calls for one large egg, which is beaten before being added to the pan.
When do I add the egg to the fried rice?
Push the cooked chicken and vegetables to one side of the pan, pour in the beaten egg, let it sit briefly, then scramble it before mixing everything together.
What provides the savory flavor in Thai fried rice?
Fish sauce is the primary seasoning that provides the authentic savory and umami flavor.
Why is sugar added to the recipe?
A small amount of sugar (1 teaspoon) is added to balance the saltiness of the fish sauce.
What is the total cooking time for the rice?
After adding the rice to the skillet, it should be cooked and tossed frequently for about 3 to 5 minutes.
How are the green onions prepared?
Two green onions should be thinly sliced crosswise before being added to the rice.
What is used as a garnish?
Fresh cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped, are used as a garnish for the final dish.
What are common side dishes for Thai fried rice?
It is traditionally served with fresh cucumber slices and wedges of lime.
How can I make the dish spicier?
You can serve it with small bowls of fish sauce seasoned with hot chilies to add an extra kick of heat.
What are the nutritional facts for one serving?
One serving contains approximately 200 calories, 5g of fat, 27.5g of carbohydrates, and 8.75g of protein.
How much garlic is needed?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of coarsely chopped garlic.
How much rice is used in this recipe?
The recipe requires 4 cups of chilled cooked rice.
Is this a quick meal?
Yes, it is considered a fantastic weeknight meal that comes together in just a few minutes.
What equipment is best for making fried rice?
A wok or a large, deep skillet is best for stir-frying on high heat.
Can I use frozen rice?
While chilled rice is preferred, thawed rice can work as long as it is dry and clumps are removed.
How should the chicken be sliced?
The boneless chicken should be thinly sliced into 2-inch strips for quick and even cooking.
What happens if I use fresh warm rice?
Fresh warm rice contains too much moisture and will likely result in a mushy texture.
Is this recipe easy to customize?
Yes, it is a versatile recipe that allows for various protein substitutions and vegetable additions.
How do I know when the chicken is cooked?
The chicken is cooked through when it is no longer pink and the onions have started to wilt, which takes about 2 to 3 minutes.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 10 main ingredients including the garnish.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes, by omitting the chicken and substituting fish sauce with a vegetarian stir-fry sauce or soy sauce.