Thai-Style Chicken Fried Rice

It tastes better than takeout.

By
Laurel Randolph
Laurel Randolph
Laurel Randolph
Laurel has over 10 years of experience developing recipes and writing about food. She is the author of 4 cookbooks, including the bestselling "The Instant Pot Electric Cookbook."
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Updated May 16, 2025
Laurel Randolph
Thai-style fried rice on a platter at a table setting with a serving of fried rice on a plate, a small plate with Thai basil, a glass of water, and a table napkin

Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Christina Daley

When you need a quick dinner and you need it fast, it’s hard to beat fried rice. A full meal made in a single pan, it’s easy to customize based on what you have on hand. The only must is day-old cold rice.

This take on the take-out favorite is Thai-inspired, with red curry paste providing the bulk of the flavor. Look for it in small packages and cans at the supermarket or Asian grocer—any brand will do. In less than 30 minutes, you’ll have restaurant-worthy chicken fried rice.

Time-Saving Tips

For an ultra-quick dinner, go ahead and chop the onion, carrot, and garlic up to a day ahead of time and store it in the fridge.

If you’re in a pinch and didn’t have time to cook the rice a day ahead, slightly undercook some white rice. If you have time, spread your just-cooked rice over a few layers of paper towels and place it in the refrigerator to cool and dry out.

Recipe Variations

  • Swap the chicken for cooked shrimp.
  • Replace the red curry paste with another Thai curry paste, like yellow.
  • If you can’t find Thai basil, you can swap it for regular Italian-style basil.
  • Go wild with toppings like toasted coconut flakes, scallions, and crispy fried shallots. Serve with lime wedges.
Thai-style fried rice on a plate with a serving spoon at a table setting with a stack of plates, a table napkin, a glass of water, and a small plate with Thai basil

Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Christina Daley

Fried Rice for Days

Thai-Style Chicken Fried Rice

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 12 mins
Total Time 22 mins
Servings 4 servings

If you don’t have coconut oil, swap for a high-heat neutral oil like canola. If you can’t find Thai basil, it can be left out or swapped for regular Italian-style basil.

This recipe was developed by Marianne Williams

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Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons unrefined coconut oil, divided

  • 3 large eggs, beaten

  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped (about 3/4 cup)

  • 1 medium carrot, chopped (about 1/2 cup), optional

  • 5 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped

  • 2 tablespoons Thai red curry paste

  • 3 tablespoons mirin

  • 4 cups cold, day-old cooked long-grain white rice

  • 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt

  • 2 cups torn cooked chicken breast (like rotisserie chicken)

  • 1/2 cup frozen green peas

  • 3 tablespoons packed Thai basil leaves

Method

  1. Cook the eggs:

    Heat 1 tablespoon of the coconut oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the eggs and cook, stirring and folding often to form small curds, until set, about 1 minute. Transfer eggs to a plate and set aside.

  2. Cook the vegetables:

    Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in the same skillet. Add the onion and carrot and cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to soften, about 4 minutes. 

    Add the garlic and curry paste and sauté until the curry paste has coated all of the vegetables, about 1 minute. Add mirin and cook until evaporated, about 1 minute.

  3. Add the rice and remaining ingredients:

    Add the rice and salt and cook, stirring constantly, until the rice is nicely coated in oil and crispy in spots, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the chicken, peas, and reserved scrambled egg and stir until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. 

    Transfer to a serving platter or plates and garnish with the basil. Serve immediately.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
576 Calories
23g Fat
61g Carbs
27g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 576
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 23g 30%
Saturated Fat 12g 61%
Cholesterol 203mg 68%
Sodium 674mg 29%
Total Carbohydrate 61g 22%
Dietary Fiber 3g 9%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 27g
Vitamin C 12mg 59%
Calcium 77mg 6%
Iron 5mg 25%
Potassium 432mg 9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.