Pad Prik Haeng Recipe (Thai Crispy Chicken Stir-Fry)

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This gai pad prik haeng recipe makes a spicy dinner in less than 30 minutes. It’s my husband’s favorite Thai crispy chicken stir-fry made with dried chilies and tossed in a savory-sweet, sticky sauce.

Bowl of pad prik haeng with golden fried chicken, dried chilies, and herbs on a traditional Thai patterned plate.

What is pad prik haeng

Pad prik haeng is a spicy Thai stir-fry with dried chilies, garlic, kaffir lime leaves, and meat like chicken or pork. It’s cooked in a sauce that’s sweet, salty, and spicy, and usually served with rice.

More about this recipe

In Thai, pad means stir-fry, and prik haeng means dried chilies. Since this version uses fried chicken, we call it gai tod pad prik haeng. The dried chilies are a must-have for this recipe!

Unlike popular dishes like pepper chicken or pad Thai, this is a dish you probably won’t find at food markets or Thai restaurants. I’m not sure why, because it’s honestly one of the most delicious spicy chicken stir-fries out there.

Close-up of Thai crispy chicken stir-fry with dried chilies and kaffir lime leaves, served with jasmine rice.

The recipe calls for deep-frying the chicken for extra crispiness, but that step is optional. If you want to keep it lighter, pan-fry or stir-fry the chicken instead. Once it’s cooked, everything comes together fast in a hot wok.

The recipe also uses kaffir lime leaves, which bring a bright, citrusy aroma to the sauce. If you’re sensitive to heat but still want to try it, just use fewer chilies!


Ingredient notes and substitutes

You’ll find ingredient notes and step-by-step photos below, or feel free to skip ahead to the recipe card if you’re ready to get cooking.


Ingredients for pad prik haeng: soy sauce, dried chilies, sugar, chicken, water, salt, crispy flour, chilies, garlic, and kaffir lime leaves.
  • Chicken (1 lb) – Boneless chicken thighs work best for this recipe, but chicken fillet can be used as a backup.
  • Oil (1 tbsp + extra for deep-frying) – Use a neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil.
  • Tempura flour (1/2 cup) – Use tempura flour, rice flour, or cornstarch to coat the chicken for a light, crispy finish.
  • Palm sugar (2 tbsp) – Adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness that’s more complex than white or brown sugar.
  • Oyster sauce (1 tbsp) – A thick, savory sauce made from oyster extract that brings deep umami flavor.
  • Light soy sauce (1 1/2 tbsp) – Adds saltiness; use Thai soy sauce for best results.
  • Kaffir lime leaves (5) – Also called makrut lime leaves; they add a bold citrus aroma and freeze well if you have extras. You can find this at Asian grocery stores or markets.
  • Thai chili flakes (1/2 tsp) – Make your own by crushing dried chilies with a mortar and pestle or use a food processor.
  • Dried chilies (1/4 cup) – Adjust the amount based on your spice preference.
  • Garlic (2 cloves)
  • Water (1/3 cup)
  • Salt (1/2 tsp)

Step-by-step image instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, mix the chicken with salt and tempura flour, coating each piece evenly.

Chicken coated with crispy flour in cup.

Step 2 : Fill a wok with oil and heat over medium. Flash-fry the dried chilies for about 10 seconds. Remove with a strainer and set aside.

Frying dried chilies in a pan.

Step 3: Using the same oil, fry the kaffir lime leaves for about 10 seconds until crisp. Remove and set aside.

Frying kaffir lime leaves in a pan.

Step 4: Fry the coated chicken pieces until golden and crispy. Keep the pieces separated to avoid sticking. Drain excess oil and set aside.

Fried chicken pieces in a colander.

Step 5: In a clean wok, heat 1 tablespoon of oil. Sauté the garlic and chili flakes until fragrant and golden.

Sautéed garlic and chili flakes in a wok.

Step 6: Add water, oyster sauce, light soy sauce, and palm sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens into a sticky glaze.

Spicy sauce in a wok.

Step 7: Add the fried chicken, dried chilies, and kaffir lime leaves to the wok. Toss everything together until well coated. Serve your spicy crispy chicken stir-fry immediately with jasmine rice and enjoy!

Pad prik haeng ready in a wok.

More Thai chicken stir-fry recipes to try

If you tried this pad prik haeng recipe, please let me know in the comments! Follow me on social media: FacebookInstagram, and Pinterest.

Pad Prik Haeng Recipe (Thai Crispy Chicken Stir-Fry)

Thai pad prik haeng, a spicy chicken stir-fry, served with white rice on a blue and white dish.
This pad prik haeng recipe makes a Thai crispy chicken stir-fry in a spicy-sweet sauce, done in under 30 minutes!
Praew
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Cuisine Thai
Course Main Course
Serving Size 2 people

Equipment

  • cutting board and knife
  • Deep-frying pan to fry the chicken and aromatics
  • paper towels or wire rack
  • Spider strainer or slotted spoon
  • Wok with spatula for stir-frying

Ingredients

  • oil, as needed for deep-frying
  • 1 lb chicken, boneless thighs or breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup tempura flour, or cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup dried chilies, adjust to taste
  • 5 kaffir lime leaves, stems removed
  • 1 tbsp oil, for stir-frying
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried chili flakes, adjust to taste
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 1/2 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp palm sugar

Instructions

  • In a mixing bowl, toss chicken pieces with salt and tempura flour until well coated.
  • Heat oil for deep-frying in a deep-frying pan. Fry dried chilies for about 10 seconds. Remove with a strainer and set aside.
  • In the same oil, fry kaffir lime leaves for about 10 seconds. Remove and set aside.
  • Fry the coated chicken pieces in batches until golden and crispy. Avoid overcrowding. Let excess oil drain off on a wire rack or paper towel.
  • In a clean wok, heat a tablespoon of oil and sauté garlic and chili flakes until lightly golden and fragrant.
  • Add water, oyster sauce, light soy sauce, and palm sugar. Stir and simmer until the sauce thickens and turns sticky.
  • Add fried chicken, chilies, and kaffir lime leaves to the sauce. Toss everything together until evenly coated. Serve immediately with rice.

Notes

  • Use the nutrition card in this recipe as a guideline. 
  • This recipe works with any protein: chicken, beef, pork, or even tofu.
  • Leftovers don’t keep their crispiness, so it’s best enjoyed fresh.
Calories: 583kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 130mg | Sodium: 1760mg | Potassium: 936mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 8225IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 4mg

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