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Meat, South and Southeast Asian

Chicken khao pad, Thai fried rice

Chicken khao pad is a Thai fried rice dish made for 4 people in 25 minutes, rated very easy, for about €2.60 per person. The key to success is using rice cooked the day before and well chilled, so it separates into distinct grains in the wok instead of clumping together.

Tonight, khao pad, Thai fried rice with chicken, egg, and tomato, served with lime and cucumber. Simple and satisfying.

Chicken khao pad, Thai fried rice
Total time
25 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€2.60
Calories per person
510 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Spring, Fall, Winter
The kids
They generally like it

Khao pad is the everyday Thai fried rice you'd actually find across Thailand, far from the greasy, sticky versions sold elsewhere. Here, the chicken stays tender, the scrambled egg adds softness, and fresh tomatoes bring a little acidity that lifts every bite. The wok needs to stay hot so the rice really fries instead of steaming and going soft.

This is a true weeknight dish, ready in 25 minutes with ingredients that are easy to find. Kids generally like it, especially if you go easy on the soy sauce and fish sauce. Leftover rice in the fridge is all it takes to turn this quick dinner into a full, balanced meal without spending your whole evening cooking.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Cooked, chilled riceoften in the pantry 600 g
  • Soy sauceoften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Fish sauceoften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Neutral oiloften in the pantry 4 tbsp

Butcher

  • Chicken breasts 400 g

Dairy

  • Eggs 3

Fruits and vegetables

  • Onion 1
  • Tomatoes 2
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Cucumber 1
  • Lime 2

Allergens Eggs, Fish, Soy

The step by step recipe

  1. Cut the chicken into small cubes, slice the onion, and cut the tomatoes into wedges.

    Even cubes cook more evenly.

  2. Heat the oil in a wok and sear the chicken with the garlic and onion. 6 min

    Don't stir too much, let it brown.

  3. Push the chicken to the side, crack in the eggs and scramble them, then mix everything together. 2 min

    Let the egg set just slightly before mixing it in.

  4. Add the crumbled rice, soy sauce, and fish sauce, stir fry over high heat, then add the tomatoes. 6 min

    Press the rice with the back of the spatula to separate the grains.

  5. Serve with sliced cucumber and lime wedges.

    Squeeze the lime over your plate, it brings out all the flavors.

Our tips to get it right

  • Prep every ingredient before you turn on the heat, wok cooking moves fast and leaves no time to chop anything midway.
  • Use a wok or a wide, large skillet so the rice sits directly on the hot surface, a pan that's too small steams the rice instead of frying it.
  • Taste before adding more soy sauce or fish sauce, cooked rice absorbs liquid differently depending on its texture and leftover moisture.

The variations

  • Swap the chicken for peeled shrimp for a khao pad closer to coastal versions, they cook in barely two minutes.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with firm tofu cubes seared separately, and use a fish free soy sauce instead of fish sauce.
  • For kids or a rushed night, go lighter on the garlic and serve the fried rice plain, with lime and cucumber on the side so everyone adjusts to taste.

What to serve it with

  • A bowl of clear Thai broth
  • Fresh cucumber slices
  • Unsweetened iced tea

Storage

Khao pad keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well, spread flat, for up to 1 month. Reheat in a skillet with a splash of oil to get separate grains back, rather than the microwave, which tends to make it mushy.

Questions about this dish

Can you make khao pad with same day rice?

It's possible but trickier, warm rice holds more moisture and sticks to the wok more easily. Spread it on a plate to cool and dry out a bit before using it.

Can you prep khao pad ahead of time?

You can cut the chicken and vegetables the day before and keep them in the fridge. The rice itself fries better at the last minute, right before serving.

What can replace fish sauce if you don't have any?

Extra soy sauce works in a pinch, though the flavor will be a bit less distinctive. Some fish free soy sauces are also sold in health food stores.

How do you adapt this recipe for young kids?

Cut back slightly on the soy sauce and fish sauce for a milder flavor. Serve the lime on the side so everyone can squeeze as much as they like.

How long does it take to make a chicken khao pad, Thai fried rice?

Count 25 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a chicken khao pad, Thai fried rice?

About 510 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a chicken khao pad, Thai fried rice cost?

About €2.60 per serving, or €10.40 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains eggs, fish, soy. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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