Thai Fried Rice
Classic Thai Fried Rice, also known as Khao Pad, is a delicious and aromatic dish that combines jasmine rice and a medley of ingredients such as vegetables, chicken, spices, and aromatics like ginger and garlic!
Why We Love This Thai Fried Rice Recipe
One of my favorite trips as a teenager was to Thailand. I was fifteen years old, and spent a sweaty summer meeting new people and exploring cultural differences in a land of extreme contrast and delicious Thai cuisine.
The breakfast they served us most mornings, Classic Thai Fried Rice, also known as Khao Pad, is forever etched in my mind. There was an underlying essence of coconut and something else I couldn’t put my finger on at the time.
Since then, I have spent a substantial amount of time learning how to make fried rice, and trying to recreate this Classic Thai Fried Rice recipe from memory. That unknown flavor I couldn’t distinguish as a teen was curry powder! Just a touch of curry separates Thai Fried Rice from other Asian varieties.
This Classic Thai Fried Rice recipe is very quick and easy to prepare. Once you chop and prep all the ingredients, it just takes minutes to cook.
What I absolutely love about Thai fried rice is the variety of flavors and textures that create a slightly sweet and deliciously savory dish I keep making over and over!
Ingredients You Need
- Jasmine Rice – cooked and cold
- Coconut Milk – sweetened coconut milk is best
- Peanut Oil – or any neutral oil
- Chicken Breast – or shrimp, pork, or beef
- Curry Powder – the secret ingredients
- Green Onion – chopped and separated into greens and whites
- Ginger & Garlic – for aroma and flavor
- Frozen Peas – for some vegetables
- Pineapple – can be fresh or canned
- Cilantro or Thai Basil – fresh herbs
- Lime – for a bit of tanginess
- Soy Sauce – you can also add a dash of fish sauce or oyster sauce for added umami flavors
- Eggs – scrambled eggs
How to Make Thai Fried Rice
Precook the jasmine rice according to package instructions– substituting 1 can of coconut milk as part of the water. Pour the coconut milk into a measuring pitcher, then fill it to 3 cups, for 1 1/2 cups of dried rice. Once cooked, chill in the fridge to firm up.
Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Add 2 tablespoons of oil to a large skillet or wok. Heat the skillet to high heat. When the oil begins to smoke, add the chicken and curry powder and cook for 2 minutes, moving it around in the pan.
Add the onion white to the pan and cook for another minute. Add the ginger and garlic along with a couple pinches of salt, and cook for 1 more minutes.
Add the peas, pineapple, green onions, and cilantro or basil and stir again. Squeeze the lime juice over the rice and add the soy sauce to taste. Stir and cook another minute or two, until the peas have warmed through.
Meanwhile, whisk the eggs in a small bowl with a pinch of salt. Preheat the nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Spray the skillet with cooking spray and add the eggs. Swirl them around the skillet, gently pushing them towards the middle. The eggs should cook through, but stay in a large circle for about 3-5 minutes. Slide them out of the pan onto a cutting board. Roll the egg into a long cylinder and cut 1/4 inch slices.
To serve, use a small bowl, about 1 cup, and fill it with fried rice. Place a plate upside down over the bowl and then carefully flip it to have the rice mound sit on the plate. Then top with egg slices and serve with sliced tomatoes, cucumber, and a lime wedge.
Tips & Tricks
- Have everything ready before starting the cooking process! Cooking fried rice goes quickly and you want to have everything prepped and ready before you start to make things a lot easier!
- Use cold rice! You absolutely must use cold rice in this fried rice recipe. If the rice is not cold, it will lump together and become mushy!
- Add additional veggies or chilis! In some Thai fried rice recipes add carrots, peppers, or some Thai chilies for some spice!
Serving Suggestions
For an authentic Thai experience, serve this best Thai fried rice dish with a side of fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, just as the Thai do.
You can also serve your easy Thai fried rice as part of a feast along with Spicy Thai Chicken Soup, Quinoa Salad, Larb Rolls, Som Tum, and Green Chicken Curry!
Frequently Asked Questions
Thai fried rice is made with jasmine rice and Chinese fried rice is made with long-grain white rice. Traditionally, Thai fried rice is not made with soy sauce, but soy sauce is used in many Thai fried rice recipes today and it is even served with soy sauce in Thailand sometimes, too!
If you are making fresh rice for this recipe, you will have to chill it before using it. Rice that is hot will not work as it will make this stir fry gluey! To make it cold quickly, place the freshly cooked rice on a baking sheet and spread it out into a thin, even layer. Then cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and freeze. The rice should be cold in just about 20 minutes!
In a pinch, store-bought precooked rice is a good substitute for cold rice, because it is firm.
Store any leftover fried rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave until heated through and serve!
Looking for More Asian-Inspired Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:
Thai Fried Rice Recipe + Video
Ingredients
- 4 cups cold cooked jasmine rice (about 1 1/2 cups dry)
- 1 cup sweetened coconut milk
- 2-3 tablespoons peanut oil
- 1 pound chicken breast (could use shrimp or pork)
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 bunch green onion, chopped and separated into greens and whites/light greens
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh minced ginger
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup fresh chopped pineapple, or canned pineapple tidbits
- 1/3 cup chopped cilantro or basil
- 1/2 lime, juiced
- 1-3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 4 large eggs
- Tomato wedges, sliced cucumber and lime wedges for garnish
Instructions
- Precook the jasmine rice according to package instructions—substituting 1 can of coconut milk as part of the water. (Pour the coconut milk into the measuring pitcher, then fill it to 3 cups, for 1 1/2 cups dried rice.) Once cooked chill in the fridge to firm up.
- Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces. Add 2 tablespoons of oil to a large skillet or wok. Heat the skillet to high heat. When the oil begins to smoke, add the chicken and curry powder and cook 2 minutes—moving it around the pan.
- Add the onion whites into the pan and cook another minute. Add the ginger and garlic along with a couple pinches of salt, and cook 1 more minute.
- Add another tablespoon of oil to the pan if needed, followed by the cold cooked rice. Stir well.
- Add the peas, pineapple, green onions and cilantro and stir again. Squeeze the lime juice over the rice and add the soy sauce to taste. Stir and cook another minute or two, until the peas have warmed through.
- Meanwhile, whisk the eggs in a small bowl with a pinch of salt. Preheat a nonstick skillet over medium-high. Spray the skillet with cooking spray and add the eggs. Swirl them around the skillet, gently pushing them toward the middle. The eggs should cook through, but to stay in a large circle—about 3-5 minutes. Slide them out of the pan onto a cutting board. Roll the egg into a long cylinder and cut 1/4-inch slices.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Hi Sommer! Found you through Pinterest. Love spice and your site!
What I like about a dish like this is that you can try different things. If you add soy sauce, a fried egg and some heat it gets closer to nasi goreng. Or make the rice with coconut milk and go for classic Indonesian nasi uduk! (I’m from Indonesia ; ) Thanks!!
Have you tried substituting riced cauliflower? If like to make it low carb
Hi Joanna!
We actually have a Cauliflower Fried Rice recipe right here: https://www.aspicyperspective.com/cauliflower-fried-rice-recipe/
This was GREAT!
Since there is something good to eat in this world, I have found this marvel more, thank you very much for sharing with us.
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I hovered over the special fried rice at my local thai when they made it because — like this one– it’s delicious. I add fish sauce to the recipe and Chinese sausage which I render a little bit first! I believe it’s called Lap Chong and it’s vacuum packed in Asian stores – very easy to find!
This looks so good. I know galangal is hard to come by locally for most people so they sub Ginger. If u Dan get it, that is what would make it taste even more authentic. Otherwise this looks amazing
wow, this looks realy tasty. I love Thai food – I will have to try it!
i feel hungry.. :-O
Oh my gosh! Your eggs are awesome and so cute! I’m going to have to try this! Plus my husband LOVES fried rice!
hi great effort and nice pic, have you left out the chilies ?
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I love this recipe!! What a great weeknight meal!
Sommer, your story reminds me of the fried rice I had for breakfast when I was in Singapore and Bali years ago (nasi goreng). A Filipino childhood friend’s mom also made her garlic fried rice for breakfast that is still etched in my mind.
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Love fried rice! Love what you did with the eggs here, so pretty! I made strawberry raspberry jelly this week using your strawberry chipotle recipe as a guide – yummy!
I love making fried rice but have never tried Thai Fried rice. Will need to try this out (minus the peanut oil of course!)
Oh my word this looks amazing. I would have a hard time not eating the whole dish! YUM!!! :)
Yum. You can’t go wrong w/ fried rice. Great story, too.
Jasmine rice and ginger are so special together. Add in coconut milk and the dish becomes addictive!
I love your travel story and the photo styling. Nicely done :-)
This looks amazing, I love that you kept in the little rolled egg, that’s always my favorite part of a traditional Thai rice. Thanks for sharing
I’ve been looking for a Thai Fried Rice recipe for a long time and this look great! Thanks for sharing.
The coconut milk must add a terrific flavor. I love rice and this is a new way to eat it., Never had Thai Fried Rice before. I have to try it. Thanks for sharing!
I can’t wait to try this! I regularly make Chinese fried rice, it will be fun to vary it up by adding ingredients like coconut milk and pineapple to the mix. Sweet and savory is the best! I made pad Thai this weekend for the first time (will post this week) – I would love to visit Thailand someday. :-)
This looks amazing. I love how you prepared the egg!
Curry fried rice – yum! One of my favorites. And yours turned out so beautifully…
This is beyond beautiful!
A classic dish indeed, wish I had some for lunch today :)
Looks delish! And love the egg on top!
Wonderful looking and sounding recipe. Great pictures from beginning to end. Enjoyed this post, reading about your Thailand adventure.
I visited Thailand for the first time in December and fell totally in love with the food (no surprise there)! I too loved eating fried rice, noodles, etc. for breakfast. I’ll have to try your recipe as it sounds delicious…thanks for sharing!
Everybody loves fried rice but I guess we would all love your version even more!
You were very fortunate to have traveled so much at a young age. And we are fortunate that you are sharing these great recipes! I really like the mix of ingredients and that pineapple was included; I wasn’t expecting that. I know my daughter will love this and so will I!
I haven’t met a fried rice I didn’t like and I KNOW I will be good friends with this one. I haven’t had a Thai twist before, so thanks for sharing and those rolled eggs are gorgeous!
This is an excellent twist on regular chinese fried rice. Will be liking this post :) YUM
Yum! I’m used to Chinese fried rice, but I’ll have to try this version with curry powder and coconut milk.
What a perfect recipe. My best friend is spending her summer in Thailand, and this recipe made me think of her. Thank you so much for sharing it with me! I’m hungry now! I hope you had a wonderful weekend, and I’m wishing you a week full of love and laughter!
Hi dear!
I think you recreated perfectly! There is something rebellious about eating dinner food for breakfast :)
The egg rolls on top are so cute. I love that idea. And the mounds, that is always my favorite part when I go to Asian restaurants.
I love fried rice, although I have never had Thai style. your rice does look delicious but I don’t know about breakfast!
looks and sounds delish! thanks, Spicy!!
I think my favorite part about your picts this time MIGHT be the chopsticks. Look like ones that maybe I brought back from Japan for you? :)
This sound amazing! I’m going to cook some rice tonight and try a veggie version tomorrow. Maybe not for breakfast but you never know!! :D
This looks so wonderfully aromatic and healthy too!
Very pretty and love the stories! What an adventure!
flavourful delicious fired rice we make similar and it is one of our favourite
thanks for sharing you my hubby loves fried rice. Cute with the rolled egg over the rice,
Great flavors and a nice touch with rolled egg on top. Love it!
Wonderful fried rice! I loved your memories of Thailand. How great that you have a specific dish that brings back those memories!
Thanks for sharing! This looks like the perfect weekend meal! Happy Cooking!
Thanks for sharing this recipe. It looks delicious! I love using Trader Joes frozen organic brown rice for my fried rice. I’ll be trying this for sure!
I’ve never made fried rice but I love it. I’m going to have to try your recipe – soon. So glad you had a chance to see some of the world when you were younger. I imagine that says a lot for your character today Sommer. Have a great weekend!
I loved this Thai Fried Rice last year and now you have motivated me to have it again. Thanks — I’m off to get a can of coconut milk so I can enjoy your Thai creation.
I love asian cuisine, especially fried rice!
I haven’t had a fried rice that I don’t like…this Thai styled one looks simply delectable.
I can always eat fried rice so I would definitely love to have this for breakfast in the morning =)
I really could have used this for breakfast this morning. Outstanding! I love the use of curry and pineapple. I bet its delicious! Buzzed :)
I’m always a little in awe of people who have traveled the world. It sounds like you had a wonderful trip.
This recipe sounds great, I had no idea Thai fried rice was different from other versions.
It’s like my first adventures in Chinese restaurants, oh so many years ago!
Very delicious, Sommer. I love Thai food.
This looks so delicious, what a great recipe!! :)
This looks delicious! I love fried rice. Printing and buzzing this now :-)
This sounds so delicious and fresh, the colors are mesmerizing!
I would absolutely have this for breakfast! Protein, starch, with a bit of egg – perfect; and I really enjoy reading about your travels as a teenager – pretty awesome!
Yum! I just started making fried rice at home and would love to try a thai fried rice. I always make the rice a day or two ahead and stick in the fridge so it’s really easy to make up for dinner.
I think it’s perfect for breakfast. It has eggs in it right?
This looks so good! I love the presentation with the egg on top!
Hi dear, This rice is looking very inviting and tempting. It has been really long since I made something Thai, and your recipe has reignited the crave for this lovely fragrant rice bowl….Cheers, sonia !
All other fried rice pales next to this. Wonderful!
Very nice pictures! And a really interesting way to roll the egg. I will try it one day :-). Thanks for sharing!
We also had fried rice yesterday, but for dinner. I guess it's good any time of the day :-)
Love it. I was so happy that I met you my dear kindred spirit when we were just teens in Thailand. Those wonderful trips sure did leave a mark on our hearts! Love the blog. XOXO