Thai Chili Sauce, or nam prik pao, is a common ingredient in Thai cooking. A little bit spicy, a little bit sweet, it also has a savory umami flavor that comes from the addition of shrimp. This Thai chili sauce is so flavorful and delicious that we’ve been guilty of eating it straight out of the jar…with a spoon.
Just try it, and you’ll see why. Thai chili sauce can be found in most Asian grocery stores these days, and with recipes like this Thai Chili Sauce Chicken Stir-fry, it deserves a permanent spot in your refrigerator door––right next to those jars of mustard and strawberry jam.
You can use this recipe as a guide, and customize it however you like––try it with different proteins (beef, pork, or even tofu) and vegetables, and make it your own. This particular Thai Chili Sauce Chicken Stir-fry takes only 9 ingredients to make, and 10 minutes to prepare.
The Thai chili sauce does all the heavy lifting in the flavor department––a complex combination of salty, sweet, spicy, and shrimpy. In other words, all the best words that start with ‘S.’
You’ll need:
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breast, sliced into ¼-inch thick pieces
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons oil, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 2 Thai bird chilies, thinly sliced (optional)
- 1 red bell pepper, de-seeded and thinly sliced
- 5 scallions, sliced at an angle into 2-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons Thai Chili Sauce (Namprik Pao)
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
Add the chicken to a bowl, along with the 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon oil. Mix well and set aside. For more information and preparing chicken for stir fries, see Bill’s post on Chicken velveting 101.
Heat a wok over high heat until smoking. Add 2 tablespoons of oil, and the chicken. Stir-fry the chicken for 1-2 minutes, until well-seared.
Add the garlic, chilies (if using), bell pepper, scallions, chili sauce, and fish sauce.
Stir-fry for another 2 minutes.
Serve this Thai Chili Sauce Chicken stir fry with steamed jasmine rice.
Thai Chili Sauce Chicken Stir-fry
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breast (680g, sliced into ¼-inch thick pieces)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons oil (divided)
- 3 cloves garlic (thinly sliced)
- 2 Thai bird chilies (thinly sliced, optional)
- 1 red bell pepper (de-seeded and thinly sliced)
- 5 scallions (sliced at an angle into 2-inch pieces)
- 2 tablespoons Thai Chili Sauce (Namprik Pao)
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
Instructions
- Add the chicken to a bowl, along with the 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon oil. Mix well and set aside.
- Heat a wok over high heat until smoking. Add 2 tablespoons of oil, and the chicken. Stir-fry the chicken for 1-2 minutes, until well-seared.
- Add the garlic, chilies (if using), bell pepper, scallions, chili sauce, and fish sauce. Stir-fry for another 2 minutes.
- Serve with steamed jasmine rice.
Nutrition
Nicole says
I made this tonight. There is a version I’ve read that has basil in it. Do you know what basil does to the taste?
Sarah says
Hi Nicole, I think you’re referring to a krapow dish, which is a Thai Basil/Chili stir-fry that does not usually include Thai chili sauce. The Thai basil has a unique, delicious flavor. Try it with our Thai Basil Chicken recipe: https://thewoksoflife.com/thai-basil-chicken-pad-krapow/
Nick says
Hi, what is the brand of that thai chilli paste? The link to Amazon looked different. Thanks.
Sarah says
I’m honestly not sure of the brand name, Nick, but I’m sure other brands can taste just as good if not better! That jar was just the one our local Asian grocer carries.
Mike Marble says
Can you substitute Sambal Oelek for the Thai Chili paste?
Sarah says
Hi Mike, they’re pretty different! Thai Chili sauce is generally sweeter. You could try some sambal with sugar added?
Braxkx Jonathan says
Made this tonight and it was amazing– spicyness was ok . We are used to spicy Thai food but this was full off flavor !!! Ty I love your blog . We eat 3 times a week with your recipes sometimes a whole week !!! Superfan !! Greetings from belgium . Ps I’m tagging you girls in my ig every time I post some food pics with your recipes
Sarah says
So glad you enjoyed this recipe and our other recipes as well. Thanks so much for coming back to leave us a comment!
Kitty says
Tried this tonight. Left out the Thai Bird chilies, and it is still nuclear! In a good way! My sinuses are running full tilt!
Sarah says
haha yes the chili paste is already pretty spicy! Definitely feel free to adjust the quantity to your liking, Kitty. :)
Chris says
I made this last night and wanted to weigh in. This is reallly more a warning than a criticism but, for my taste buds, the two tablespoons of chili sauce was *way* to spicy. Yes, yes. The name of the recipe has the word “spicy” in it. And, yes, my wife (who *loves* hot food – the spicier the better for her) enjoyed this. Overall, the flavor was as good as we’ve come to expect from the folks here at WoL but, for those of you who don’t live for the spicy stuff, I think you could dial back the chile to one tablespoon and still get a taste of heat along with the other, very-easy-to-prepare ingredients. I’ll be back for more WoL for sure but I think my new jar of thai chile sauce will last me quite a while…
Sarah says
Thanks for the caveat, Chris. Definitely a good reminder to adjust any of our recipes to personal tastes––especially when it comes to spice!
Little Cooking Tips says
DEFINITELY are trying this! SO good. Simple, easy to make, and must be so delicious. We gotta verify that the sauce we saw the other day was indeed a Thai Chili sauce. Is it extremely hot though?
Kudos for another delicious post Sarah! Give our hugs to the rest of the family:)
Mirella and Panos
Sarah says
Hey Panos & Mirella, you guys may want to start out with about half of the amount of chili sauce in the recipe (suggested by another reader). Then taste and see if the spice level is enough for you––you can always add more. Happy cooking! Always love hearing from you guys. :) <3
Natalie Ellis says
I like the part that we can customize it and make our own. It’s so good!
I’d like to try with beef and cauliflower, it must be amazing! ?
Sarah says
Hope you like it, Natalie!
Claudia says
This looks really good. Will definitely try this! I love your blog, would love to go to an Asian grocery store with you, so you could explain everything…..your blog page w the ingredients is great, but I think it would be fun food shopping with you!
Claudia says
I ment to give you 5 stars
Sarah says
Thanks Claudia!
Joel Baldwin says
This is a great idea! I would totally buy a ticket for a shopping trip and cooking class with any of the siblings. You need to create a list of “tour” dates and the cities you’ll be in.
Sarah says
Haha we’ll think about this idea, Joel. Sounds like it would be fun!