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A bowl of thai basil fried rice with vegetables, egg, and basil served with lime on top. 🍋

Thai Basil Fried Rice – 15-Minute Street-Style Dinner

5 from 1 vote
This Thai Basil Fried Rice is bold, fragrant, and bursting with flavor — just like the kind you’d get from a Bangkok street stall! Made with garlic, chili, soy sauce, and fresh basil, it’s a quick and colorful dish ready in under 15 minutes. Perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or when you’re craving authentic Thai flavors at home.
Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 2
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian
Calories: 480
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 300 g cooked jasmine rice (preferably day-old)
  • 100 g chicken breast or tofu, cubed
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 red chili, finely chopped (or 1 tsp chili flakes)
  • 1 small onion, sliced
  • 50 g red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 small carrot, julienned
  • 1 egg
  • 30 ml soy sauce
  • 10 ml fish sauce (optional for authentic flavor)
  • 5 ml honey or brown sugar
  • 1 handful Thai basil leaves (or regular basil if unavailable)
  • 15 ml vegetable oil

Equipment

  • Wok or large non-stick skillet
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Mixing bowl
  • Knife & chopping board

Method
 

  1. Prepare the rice: If using leftover rice, break apart any clumps with a fork to make it fluffy.
    Fluffing day-old jasmine rice with a fork to prepare for thai basil fried rice. 🍚
  2. Sauté aromatics: Heat oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add garlic and chili; cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
    Sautéing garlic and red chili in a hot wok with oil for thai basil fried rice. 🌶️
  3. Cook the protein: Add chicken or tofu. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until cooked through.
  4. Add vegetables: Toss in onion, bell pepper, and carrot. Stir-fry for 2 minutes until slightly tender.
  5. Add the rice and sauces: Add rice, soy sauce, fish sauce, and honey. Stir constantly until everything is well combined and heated through.
  6. Add egg and basil: Push rice to one side, crack in the egg, and scramble it. Mix into the rice, then add fresh basil leaves. Stir until wilted.
    Adding scrambled egg and fresh basil leaves to finish thai basil fried rice. 🌿
  7. Serve: Serve hot with a squeeze of lime juice and extra basil on top.
    A bowl of thai basil fried rice with vegetables, egg, and basil served with lime on top. 🍋

Notes

Day-old rice works best — freshly cooked rice can get mushy.                                             
For a vegan version, skip the egg and fish sauce.
Use Thai holy basil for an authentic flavor boost.
Add shrimp, chicken, or beef for a protein-packed version.