Basil Thai Chicken Fried Rice (Pad Kaprao)
Thai basil chicken fried rice (Kao Pad Kaprao Gai) is a light and tasty recipe that is quick to make. The subtle peppery taste of basil combined with umami flavors from the sauces and seasoning makes this recipe a perfect comfort meal for everyone!
- Prep time
- 15 min
- Cook time
- 15 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 3 tablespoons oil, divided. More if necessary. Use vegetable, canola, coconut, or avocado oil. No olive oil.
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 1-5 Thai chilis, minced. Use as needed for spice level preference.
- 1/3 cup shallot, thinly sliced
- 10 ounces chicken breast, thinly sliced
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups cooked Thai jasmine rice
- 2/12 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons rice vinegar, fresh lime juice, or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2-1 teaspoon ground white pepper, adjust as needed for spice level preference
- 1 cup fresh holy basil, leafy parts
Instructions
- 1
The first step, mix the stir-fried sauce in a small bowl: oyster sauce, fish sauce, rice vinegar, white pepper, and sugar. Set aside until ready.
- 2
On medium-high heat, heat a wok, large skillet, or pan. Add oil 2 tablespoons of oil. Once hot, add minced garlic, Thai chilis, and shallot. Fry until fragrant and light golden brown, less than 30 seconds.
- 3
Add the chicken to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes until lightly golden brown. Stir often. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water if the pan looks too dry or the chicken sticks to the pan too much. Reduce the heat to medium if necessary, then turn it back when adding the rice.
- 4
Move the chicken to the side of the pan, add the rest of the oil to the pan, and use more if your pan is dry. Crack the eggs and scramble until done—around 2 minutes or so.
- 5
Add the sauce mixture to the chicken and stir well.
- 6
Add the rice and stir everything together in a pan.
- 7
Then use the spatula to evenly spread the fried rice over the pan surface, making it as flat as possible to "dry out the rice" so it's not mushy. Let it cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until you hear some light popping sound. This technique is especially helpful in reducing moisture using fresh rice rather than day-old rice.
- 8
Taste your fried rice and season with more fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, and chilis if you want more heat. Add the holy basil and stir well together one last time. Turn the heat off, and it's ready! Enjoy!