Easy One-Pot Thai Recipes: Cook Less Enjoy More

By Marium Arsalan (Content contributor for Performist pte ltd)

There’s something special about Thai food — it’s fragrant, colorful, and full of life. Every bite balances sweet, spicy, sour, and savory flavors so beautifully that it feels like a burst of sunshine in your bowl. But the best part? You don’t need a dozen pans or hours in the kitchen to enjoy it.

When life gets busy (and it often does), I turn to one-pot Thai recipes — easy meals that bring restaurant-style flavor to your table with minimal fuss. Whether it’s a creamy curry, zesty stir-fry, or comforting rice bowl, each dish comes together effortlessly in a single pot.

Here are five of my favorite Thai-inspired one-pot recipes — bold, aromatic, and perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something exciting but easy.

1. One-Pot Thai Green Curry with Chicken and Vegetables

Serves: 4 | Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp coconut oil
  

• 2 tbsp Thai green curry paste
  

• 400 ml coconut milk
  

• 300 g chicken breast, sliced
  

• 1 cup broccoli florets
  

• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  

• 1 zucchini, sliced
  

• 2 tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce for vegetarian)
  

• 1 tsp brown sugar
  

• Fresh basil & lime wedges for garnish
  

Instructions:
Heat coconut oil in a large pot and sauté the curry paste for a minute until fragrant. Add chicken and cook until it turns white. Pour in coconut milk and stir in fish sauce and sugar. Add vegetables and simmer on medium heat for 10–12 minutes until tender. Garnish with fresh basil and a squeeze of lime. Creamy, spicy, and wonderfully aromatic — this dish is Thai comfort in a bowl.

2. One-Pot Pad Thai Noodles

Serves: 3–4 | Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  

• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  

• 200 g rice noodles
  

• 1 cup bean sprouts
  

• 1 cup shrimp or tofu
  

• 2 tbsp soy sauce
  

• 2 tbsp tamarind paste
  

• 1 tbsp brown sugar
  

• 2 tbsp crushed peanuts
  

• Spring onions and lime wedges for garnish
  

Instructions:
Heat oil in a large pan or wok. Add eggs and scramble lightly. Stir in shrimp or tofu and cook for a few minutes. Add noodles, soy sauce, tamarind paste, and sugar. Toss everything together until the noodles are tender and coated in sauce. Add bean sprouts just before turning off the heat. Serve hot with peanuts, spring onions, and lime wedges — a street-food favorite made easy at home.

3. One-Pot Thai Basil Chicken with Rice (Pad Krapow Gai)

Serves: 4 | Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp oil
  

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
  

• 1 red chili, chopped (optional for spice)
  

• 500 g minced chicken
  

• 2 tbsp soy sauce
  

• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  

• 1 tsp fish sauce
  

• 1 tsp sugar
  

• 1½ cups jasmine rice
  

• 3 cups chicken broth
  

• Fresh basil leaves for garnish
  

Instructions:
In a deep pan, heat oil and sauté garlic and chili until fragrant. Add minced chicken and stir-fry until cooked through. Pour in soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and sugar. Mix well, then add rice and broth. Simmer for 15–20 minutes until the rice absorbs the flavors. Top with fresh basil. It’s spicy, savory, and deeply satisfying — the kind of dish that hits every craving. 

4. One-Pot Tom Yum Soup with Shrimp

Serves: 4 | Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  

• 2 lemongrass stalks, smashed
  

• 3 slices galangal (or ginger)
  

• 3 kaffir lime leaves
  

• 2 tbsp Thai chili paste
  

• 200 g mushrooms, sliced
  

• 200 g shrimp, peeled
  

• 2 tbsp fish sauce
  

• 1 tbsp lime juice
  

• Fresh cilantro for garnish
  

Instructions:
Bring broth to a boil and add lemongrass, galangal, and lime leaves. Simmer for 5 minutes to release their aroma. Stir in chili paste, mushrooms, and shrimp. Cook for 3–4 minutes until shrimp turn pink. Add fish sauce and lime juice to balance the flavors. Garnish with cilantro. Tangy, spicy, and soul-warming — this is Thailand’s most loved soup, made simple in one pot.

5. One-Pot Thai Massaman Curry

Serves: 4 | Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp oil
  

• 2 tbsp Massaman curry paste
  

• 400 ml coconut milk
  

• 300 g beef or chicken chunks
  

• 2 potatoes, cubed
  

• 1 onion, sliced
  

• 1 tbsp tamarind paste
  

• 1 tbsp brown sugar
  

• 2 tbsp roasted peanuts
  

• Fresh coriander for garnish
  

Instructions:
Heat oil and fry the curry paste for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Add meat and stir to coat. Pour in coconut milk and add potatoes, onion, tamarind paste, and sugar. Simmer for 30–35 minutes until the meat and potatoes are tender and the curry thickens. Sprinkle peanuts and coriander before serving. Rich, nutty, and mildly spiced — this dish is pure Thai comfort.

Conclusion: Cooking Made Simple and Joyful

Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated — and it certainly shouldn’t feel like a chore. One-pot recipes prove that you can have homemade, flavorful, and nutritious meals without spending hours in the kitchen. Personally, these dishes have been lifesavers on busy weekdays when I still want something delicious and comforting for my family.

So the next time you’re short on time (or just not in the mood for cleanup), reach for one pot, throw in your favorite ingredients, and let the magic happen. Less mess, less stress — and a lot more flavor.

FAQs About Thai One-Pot Meals

1. Are these recipes authentic Thai dishes?
Yes, each recipe is inspired by traditional Thai cooking but simplified for home kitchens — same flavor, less fuss.

2. Can I make them vegetarian?
Absolutely! Replace meat with tofu or mixed veggies, and use soy sauce instead of fish sauce.

3. Are Thai dishes very spicy?
You control the spice level. Add or skip chili depending on your preference — Thai food is all about balance.

4. What’s the best rice for Thai dishes?
Jasmine rice is ideal — it’s fragrant and slightly sticky, perfect for absorbing sauces.

5. Can I meal-prep Thai one-pot dishes?
Yes! Most keep well for 2–3 days in the fridge and taste even better the next day as flavors deepen.