This easy chicken fried rice is what I make when I don’t feel like cooking. I just throw leftover chicken and rice in a pan, and dinner is ready in minutes. The best part? My kids devour it!.
This is a great recipe! I use leftover chicken and rice, and the frozen mixed vegetables make it so easy to put together! My husband and one daughter both said they could eat this three times a week, which is a huge compliment, trust me!– Carrie
Stir-fried Chinese chicken fried rice is a tasty and well-known dish that you can find in Chinese restaurants all over the world. It has cooked rice, vegetables, meat (like chicken or shrimp), and tasty sauces. The food quickly comes together in a wok or large skillet to make a tasty, quick meal. But what makes real Chinese chicken fried rice taste and feel the way it does? Let’s take a closer look at the main ingredients that make this famous fried rice dish truly Chinese.
The Rice
China has a tradition of making fried rice with long grain white rice. People like jasmine and basmati rice because when they’re cooked, they’re nice and light and fluffy. Day-old rice is best because it has had time to dry out, which makes it less sticky when you stir-fry it. It’s easier for the grains to separate when mixed with other things. If you need to use fresh rice, spread it out on a baking sheet to cool and dry for an hour before you stir-fry it. When making fried rice, short grain or sticky rice doesn’t work well.
When it comes to rice chicken fried rice typically calls for about 3-4 cups of cooked rice. This equates to around 1 1/2 cups uncooked rice. Rinsing the raw rice well before cooking can help reduce stickiness. Follow package directions for cooking the rice or use a rice cooker for perfect rice every time. Once cooked, the rice is cooled completely before being used in the fried rice.
The Protein
Most people make chicken fried rice with chicken, but you can also use shrimp, pork, beef, or tofu. Chicken breasts or thighs are cut into bite-sized pieces that are about 1/2 inch cubes. This helps the chicken cook quickly and evenly when it’s stir-fried.
For the best flavor and texture, the chicken is usually marinated before cooking. A simple marinade of soy sauce, oil, cornstarch, and sometimes egg white or sherry is brushed on the chicken pieces. The soy sauce adds flavor, while the cornstarch seals in juices keeping the chicken tender. The oil prevents sticking. Letting the chicken marinate for 20-30 minutes enhances the flavor.
After being marinated, the chicken is stir-fried in hot oil over high heat in batches until the outside is lightly browned but the inside is still juicy. This takes about three to five minutes total. It is then put aside and added back in when the fried rice is done.
The Vegetables
The vegetable additions help make chicken fried rice filling and adds nutrition. Onion and garlic provide aromatic flavor. Common stir fry vegetables like carrots, peas, bean sprouts and cabbage provide crunch and color.
The vegetables are stirred fried for just 1-2 minutes until slightly softened but still crisp. Overcooking makes them soggy. Fresh or frozen vegetables can both be used. If using frozen veggies, thaw them first before adding to the wok. Canned veggies should be avoided as they will be too soft.
Aim for about 1 1/2 to 2 cups total vegetables. Feel free to mix and match favorites or use what you have on hand. Just be sure to cut into small pieces so everything cooks quickly.
The Eggs
Beaten eggs get scrambled into chicken fried rice contributing protein, richness and texture. The eggs cook directly in the hot oil, stirring constantly so they form small tender crumbles rather than rubbery chunks.
2-3 eggs is typical for a batch of chicken fried rice. Make sure they are well beaten and seasoned with a pinch of salt before adding to the wok. Cook the egg on its own first before incorporating into the fried rice.
The Sauces and Seasonings
To achieve the distinct flavor of takeout chicken fried rice, the right sauces and seasonings are key. Here are some classics:
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Soy Sauce – Regular soy sauce adds salty, savory flavor. A combination of light and dark soy sauce gives added depth.
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Oyster Sauce – Adds richness and enhaces the savory umami taste.
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Sesame Oil – A small amount of aromatic sesame oil finishes the fried rice. Adds nutty flavor.
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Rice Wine – Chinese rice wine like Shaoxing wine adds complex flavor. Dry sherry makes a good substitute.
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White Pepper – Preferred over black pepper for its spicy kick without the gritty texture.
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MSG – While optional, MSG enhances the savory flavor in moderation. Chicken bouillon is a good substitute.
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Sugar – A pinch of sugar balances out some of the saltiness and helps season the rice.
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Ginger, Garlic – Finely minced ginger and garlic provide a tasty aromatic backbone.
These ingredients are mixed into a sauce that is poured over the hot cooked rice. This allows the rice to absorb maximum flavor. The chicken, veggies and eggs are then tossed in and further seasoned to taste.
The Wok
A round bottomed carbon steel wok is the preferred cooking vessel for authentic Chinese fried rice. The shape allows the ingredients to be tossed and stirred constantly as they cook over intense heat. This keeps the rice from sticking and burning. The steel also imparts a lovely smoky “wok hay” flavor to the dish.
However, chicken fried rice can certainly be made without a wok. Use a large non-stick skillet or saute pan instead. The key is keeping the ingredients moving over relatively high heat as they cook. Add a small amount of oil at a time to prevent sticking. While you may not achieve the coveted wok hay taste, it will still be delicious.
Putting It All Together
Making chicken fried rice is actually quite simple when you have these essential ingredients and tools on hand. Here is a brief overview of the basic steps:
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Prepare the protein and marinate – cube chicken and marinate for flavor.
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Cook rice if needed – use day old or freshly cooked.
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Prepare aromatics & vegetables – slice, dice, mince.
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Heat wok or skillet over high heat and add oil.
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Stir fry chicken until just cooked through then set aside.
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Stir fry vegetables just until slightly softened.
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Push veggies to side. Add beaten eggs and scramble.
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Add cooled rice and toss everything together over high heat.
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Make a well and add sauce ingredients to heat through.
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Toss chicken and sauce with rice and veggies to combine.
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Adjust seasoning with extra soy sauce, salt, or pepper.
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Serve immediately and enjoy this tasty one pan meal!
Chicken fried rice is affordable, quick cooking, and customizable to your tastes. With fluffy rice, plentiful veggies, juicy chicken and signature Chinese flavors, this fried rice will satisfy any craving. Now that you know the essential ingredients that give this stir fry its authentic character, you can easily make restaurant worthy chicken fried rice in your own kitchen. Give it a try tonight!
Tips For the Best Fried Rice
- Use Cold Rice: Brown, long-grain, or white rice that you have left over from the fridge works best. Firmer grains will give your chicken fried rice a better texture.
- If the rice is still too fresh, put it on a sheet pan and put it in the fridge for 30 to 45 minutes. You can also put it in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes to cool it down quickly.
- Shortcut: Use pre-cooked, ready rice to save even more time.
All the Reasons This Never Fails Me
- Meal Prep Magic: Leftovers are fun to eat because they taste just as good the next day.
- One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in one skillet, which means less mess and easy cleanup!
- Added Protein: I love my original fried rice recipe, but this one is even better because it has extra protein from the juicy chicken.
- Even picky eaters can’t say no to chicken, vegetables, and rice. It’s a family favorite.
- Protein: Mix up your protein with ham, shrimp, or bacon.
- Low Carb: To make fried rice that is low in carbs, try using cauliflower.
- Vegetables: You can make this recipe better by adding other vegetables you like. Broccoli, cauliflower, snap peas, or water chestnuts work great.
- Soy Sauce: Regular or low-sodium soy sauce both work. If you want a stronger taste, you can add more at the end.
How One of NYC’s Best Chinese Chefs Makes Fried Rice | Bon Appétit
FAQ
What is in chicken fried rice from Chinese?
Chinese chicken fried rice typically includes cooked rice, chicken, eggs, soy sauce, and vegetables like peas and carrots.
What are the ingredients for Chinese fried rice?
Chinese fried rice typically includes cooked rice (often day-old and chilled), eggs, and a combination of vegetables like carrots, peas, and onions. Soy sauce and sesame oil are used for flavoring, and green onions are often added for garnish.
Is chicken fried rice from a Chinese restaurant healthy?
Chicken fried rice, fried rice in general, is not good for you, but it’s not necessarily bad for you either. When dining out it’s best to not add soy sauce to the fried rice. If you must, add as little as possible; there is a good amount of sodium in the soy sauce.
What is the secret of Chinese fried rice?
The secret to delicious, restaurant-quality fried rice lies both in the rice and the seasoning. My dad’s technique of fluffing cooked rice, then flipping and tossing as he stir fries ensures that there’s no mushy, clumpy rice. It’s also important to season both the eggs and rice to give it great flavor.
What is Chinese chicken fried rice?
Chicken Fried Rice is packed with colorful vegetables, chicken, and spices. best read more Chilli chicken is marinated in Chinese sauces, fried until crispy, this is stir read more Indo Chinese Chilli Chicken is a nice saute of spices, sugar, sauces, and read more Chilli Paneer is an indo-Chinese dish.
Is fried rice healthy?
It is more healthy than fried food such as sweet and sour chicken or fried rice. Also, healthier than egg or wheat noodles, and they shouldn’t have any gluten if they aren’t cooked with wheat-containing foods. They also have some other steam veggies in their buffet. Staff is friendly too. Gross. Overpriced.
How do you make Chinese chicken fried rice taste good?
Use a large pan or make smaller batches to get the best texture. If you want to make it taste more like real Chinese chicken fried rice, you can add 3 to 4 tablespoons of finely shredded iceberg lettuce. The lettuce needs to be very finely shredded so that it cooks quickly and doesn’t pull out water that will make the fried rice soggy.