A super tasty, easy Thai stir fry with a nice kick of heat! The Thai stir fry sauce used in this recipe is like an all purpose Thai sauce. It’s a versatile base and it’s fabulous with chicken, pork and turkey, ground/mince meat or even cut into bite size pieces. It can even be used for noodles. This recipe is a keeper for Thai food lovers!
The Thai stir fry sauce I use in this Spicy Thai Chicken Stir Fry is like the Thai equivalent of Charlie, my All Purpose Chinese Stir Fry Sauce. If you haven’t discovered Charlie yet, pop over because honestly, especially if you are pressed for time, he will be life changing.
Yes, I’ve given my Chinese stir fry sauce a name, and yes there is logic – albeit bland / crazy – behind it. You can read about it when you get the recipe for Charlie. 😉
Just like Charlie, the Thai stir fry sauce used in this recipe is similar to many but an exact replica of none. If you scan the Sauce ingredients of Pad See Ew (Thai Stir Fried Noodles), Thai Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao) and Thai Chilli Basil Chicken, you will see similarities to the one I use in this Thai stir fry.
I don’t actually even know if this recipe has a name. It’s probably not something you would find in a Thai restaurant. By this, I mean it’s not a “known” Thai dish, like Pad Thai, Pad See Ew etc.
In many of the Thai cookbooks I have flicked through over the years, I almost always find a generic stir fry that uses a very similar sauce. I even found one in the Spice I Am cookbook (read more about that in the Pad Thai recipe, it’s my current favourite Thai cookbook).
The quantities differ, but generally, the common ground is always garlic (lots), chilli (lots!), soy sauce (varying combinations of light, dark and all purpose), Oyster Sauce (almost always), fish sauce (very common) and sugar (almost always).
Though I use this Thai stir fry sauce to make all sorts of stir fries – even noodles – this recipe I’m sharing today is the one I make most frequently. The main reason being because it’s such an easy Thai stir fry. Because making it with ground chicken means no chopping meat, no marinating. And the flavour of the Thai stir fry sauce really penetrates throughout the whole stir fry.
Serve this over steamed jasmine rice, Thai Fried Rice, Pineapple Fried Rice or Coconut Rice
In Thailand, many dishes are served with a juicy wedges of tomato and cucumber. No dressing, just plain. They are a great pairing with the kapow flavours going on in most Thai dishes. Plus, it rounds out out the meal so we get our veg fix! 🙂
But I also happened to have a big batch of my all time most frequently made Asian-esque salad: a Cabbage salad with crunchy noodles and a sesame dressing. So I stuck it in the photo to give you a little preview because it’s coming soon. I make it so often it borders on the side of obsession. But the sheer convenience, speed and utter tastiness of the salad is what has had me captivated since my early twenties.
It’s coming soon, I promise. Possibly Wednesday, along with another salad. Hmm. Maybe this weeks’ Meat Free Wednesday will be an explosion of my very favourite salads. What do you think? – Nagi x
PS Is it just me, or is there a weird pinkish glow going on in the bottom left corner of the photo below? I must’ve been wearing a hot pink top when I took this shot. Jeez. The perils of fashion and food photography!!! 😉
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Spicy Thai Chicken Stir Fry
Ingredients
Sauce
- 2 tsp light soy sauce (Note 1)
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce (Note 1)
- 2 tsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
Stir Fry
- 2 tbsp cooking oil (I use peanut or vegetable oil)
- 3 Thai or birds eye chillis or other small hot red chilli , finely chopped (Note 2)
- 4 garlic cloves , finely chopped
- 1 small onion , halved and sliced (brown, white or yellow)
- 500 g / 1 lb ground / mince chicken
- 3 shallot / scallions stems , chopped into slices
- 1 cup coriander/cilantro leaves (loosely packed)
Serving
Instructions
- Mix Sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
- Heat oil in a wok or heavy based skillet over high heat. Add garlic and chilli – cook for 15 seconds.
- Add onion and cook for 45 seconds.
- Add chicken and cook, breaking it up as you go. When it changes from pink to white, add Sauce. Cook until the liquid mostly disappears – about 2 minutes.
- Stir through shallots. Then stir through coriander and immediately take off the heat.
- Serve immediately with jasmine rice or other rice – or for a low carb, low cal option, try Cauliflower Rice! Add slices of cucumber and tomato wedges (very authentic Thai!). Garnish with extra chilli and coriander if desired.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
WARNING: Explicit sightings of Baby Hands may offend some. It was a really hot day when I filmed this, okay?? My hands swell in heat! 😂
LIFE OF DOZER
You would think a dog this cute would sleep cute too. Curled up in a tight little ball, head snuggled on his paws.
But no. This is how he usually sleeps. Just layin’ it all out there. 🙄 At least he’s using his tail for modesty.
He better not have slobbered on my ugg boot!
Third or fourth time I’ve made it and always a hit… I do like to finish it with some fresh ginger because I love it. For others that don’t like ground chicken, try finely dicing breasts ( easier to do if partially frozen).. Delicious Nagi. Thank you
Hi Hath! I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed this, thanks for taking the time to come bak and let me know! N xx
I made this tonight even though I was worried the ground chicken would be bland. I was determined
To try new recipes this week while on holidays. This recipe did not disappoint. I will make again. I could not find fish sauce at my grocery store so I substituted Worcestershire sauce and used sriracha sauce. It was really good. The sauce will be used again for sure.
Try Hoisin sauce if can’t find fish sauce. Its usually easier to come by and adds great flavor to this recipe as I had to find a substitute as well. Cheers !
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Shirley! Thank you for letting me know – N xx
Another successful recipe. Loved by all, thanks again, u keep me in plenty of different foods and great flavours.
So glad you liked it Kim, thanks so much for letting me know! N x
Nagi, Yet another yummy recipe that will be added by popular request to the regular list of meals. Great to make when you come home from a long day, quick and flavour-ful (flavoursome just seemed to modest!). I had hoped for leftovers for my lunch tomorrow (having made extra) but between son and spouse having large second helpings the wok is polished clean!
I’d also note that my spellcheck wants to call you ‘Magi’ which means my iPad also approves – keep up the excellent work.
Liz M
Spellcheck does that to my own name too!!!! So glad you enjoyed this Liz, thanks for letting me know!
This is so good. Cooked this recipe for dinner tonight. No leftovers! Thanks.
Fantastic! So glad to hear that Dave, thanks so much for letting me know! N x
Hi Nagi! I’ve only recently started cooking and your website is such a treasure trove! Simple, easy to find ingredients, but still tastes amazing! This sounds like a winner to me as well, but unfortunately I can’t use oyster sauce. My loss, I know, as a lot of asian dishes has oyster sauce as some sort of ‘secret ingredient.’ Is there anything I can use instead though?
Oh, and it’s not just a retriever thing, this sleeping on their backs. My corgi does this too. 🙂 They just look sooo comfortable on their backs! I think it’s probably the doggie equivalent of putting our feet up after a tiring day?
PS Re: pups putting their feet up, I think you’re right!!!
Hi Grace! That’s a tough one I’m afraid. Oyster sauce has lots of things in it which is why it’s kind of like a “secret ingredient” in Asian cuisine. I think subbing it with half mushroom soy sauce and half kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) will be kind of similar. It will still be a tasty stir fry if you use that instead!
Love it!!! I used 3 little Thai chilis, picked red ones over green, spicy but not overly – but I love spicy so maybe 3 would be too spicy for some.
The store had Foster Farm organic boneless skinless chicken thighs on sale so I bought those and ground my own chicken.
Very good, a keeper, thanks for sharing!!’
WOO HOO! So glad you enjoyed it Sarah, thank you so much for letting me know! N xx
I could only find Fresno peppers at the market, and used three of them, seeded. It wasn’t spicy at all, so maybe next time I’d just leave the seeds. BUT it was a big hit with my very picky family, which rarely happens with something new. They even asked to put it into the regular rotation!
Big bonus: I loved how quickly it all came together. A great weeknight meal for a very busy family.
Hi Rochelle! So glad you enjoyed the flavour 🙂 Yes, Fresno chillies are much milder than Thai or Birds eye chillies. Next time you could just add a dollop of minced chilli from a jar or even Sriracha! Just add it towards the end. 🙂 N xx PS Very flattered the family approved!!
Made this last night and it was delicious. Halfway through cooking, I leaned over my wok and didn’t love what I smelled. Was a little worried that it was all going to be for naught, but the final dish was delicious and I look forward to making it again. The cilantro, scallions and ginger (added because of someone’s comment) gave it a really fresh taste. I also used ground pork, as I don’t think ground chicken has much flavor.
Fantastic to hear Michael! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know! N x
Made this tonight. Very easy. Very tasty. Tomato and cucumber on the side is spot on.
Woo hoo! Thanks Pavi! And yes, that Thai got it right with tomato and cucumber on the side, didn’t they?? Appears all the time!!
Love Dozer’s sleep pose….he looks so very relaxed on his bed…. that is Exactly how Albert sleeps too… except Albert has no sense for modesty.. he rolls on his back and lets it all hang out with all fours up in the air…. there is no refrain. He dreams and moves his all fours when he is in deep sleep. It is hilarious to watch. Freya on the other hand is the most polite sleeper. She never sleeps on her back .. always sleeps on her belly and keeps her private parts private…. she is a lady…..now onto food … my next most fav subject…i love thai fish sauce…. will definately try the Thai version of your “Charlie”. Thanks for sharing…. axx ps. I hope Dozer is on the mend and recovered from his injuries.
Oh BERTIE!!!!! It does not surprise me at all!
I am making this soon because it looks so delicious and on the top of it it’s easy to make! Thanks for the inspiration, Nagi! 🙂
Thanks Julia! Hope you’re going well?? 🙂 N x
Thanks for sharing your wonderful recipes with us! I always mean to comment but just haven’t got around to it until now! When Your Spicy Thai Chicken Stir Fry landed in my inbox this morning I knew this was what we were having for dinner!! It was A+amazing!! Delicious, easy, quick, not a morsel was left, my only modification was to add an inch of ginger, chopped it all up with garlic and chilli. I also finally made a jar of your sauce which means many more healthy stir frys in our future! Thank you ❤️
HIGH FIVE! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, thank you for letting me know Emma! N xx
This looks really delicious but I guess I would prefer it more wrapped in some crunchy lettuce leaves.
Larb gai! Actually, I have a recipe for that on my site too, SO delish!
Hi Nagi, great recipe! I’ll be making it soon, hope it helps get rid of this “bug” a little faster.
It isn’t just you, I can see a pink glow around the lower left corner of the photo…but…it creates a softer photo that enhances the food in the bowl I think! A lovely warmth that would be missing otherwise? I think you’re onto something, even if it was an accident! 😀
Dozer’s sleeping position is a breed thing I’m sure, my Buddy used to sleep that way too. A huge compliment I think…total trust in his people and environment. Especially Mom…being as it’s her boot he’s cuddled up to. Love it.
I can’t give up my hot pink top! ? I do hope you’re feeling better now?? Did Buddy use your boots as a pillow too?? ❤️
Well, there’s pork mince in the fridge.
Shallots and chillies growing in the garden.
Soya sauces await.
The work of minutes.
What could be better ?
YUM
I hope you love it Tatiana!!
Good morning Nagi. Certainly a recipe I shall try as it seems to be a quick and easy one. We were lucky enough to be “tasters” and the taste was excellent. Not too spicey and not drowned in sauce. Dozer is just extremely relaxed and content. Lucy sleeps that way too but she doesn’t get to do taste tests like Dozer!
Pauline?
Gasp! Lucy sleeps in such an unladylike way?? 😉
this looks yummy – i will be trying it soon…. as for Dozer — i love your pics and commentary on him. I think it’s a retriever thing to sleep on their back – my border collie/retriever mix sleeps the same way… you have to admit, its a look of sheer contentment and trust…
Contentment, yes. And just sheer blatant “I just don’t give a darn”, no? 😉
This recipe is full of flavour. Thanks for the share.
Thanks CK! Do hope you try it!!
Hi Nagi! The ground chicken available here literally tastes like nothing, so I would use ground pork instead. I like the simple veggies on the side and your cabbage salad looks good too! Wouldn’t it be worse if Dozer slobbered IN your boot? 🙂
He LOVES that boot!!! He uses it as a pillow ?