Easy and Delicious Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

Ingredients needed for Chicken Fried Rice

To make delicious chicken fried rice, you will need the following ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked rice (preferably day-old rice)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1/2 cup diced carrots
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 cups cooked and diced chicken breast
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Make sure you have all of these ingredients on hand before you start cooking. Using day-old rice is preferred because it tends to be less sticky, but you can also use freshly cooked rice. The vegetables can be adjusted to your liking, but onion, carrot, and peas are a classic combination. Finally, soy sauce is the key ingredient that gives the dish its signature flavor, so make sure you have it in your pantry.

Preparation of Chicken Fried Rice

To prepare the chicken fried rice, follow these steps:

1. Cook the rice: If you’re using day-old rice, skip this step. Otherwise, cook the rice according to package instructions and let it cool completely.

2. Prepare the vegetables: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrots, and garlic, and cook for about 2-3 minutes until the vegetables start to soften. Add the frozen peas and continue cooking for another minute.

3. Scramble the eggs: Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet and add the lightly beaten eggs to the other side. Scramble the eggs until they are cooked through, then mix them with the vegetables.

4. Add the chicken and rice: Add the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to combine. Add the cooked rice and soy sauce and stir until everything is evenly coated.

5. Fry the rice: Cook the rice for another 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is heated through and slightly crispy.

Your chicken fried rice is now ready to be served! You can adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

Cooking the Chicken Fried Rice

To cook the chicken fried rice, follow these steps:

1. Heat the skillet: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan.

2. Add the vegetables: Add the diced onion, carrot, and minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 2-3 minutes until the vegetables start to soften. Add the frozen peas and cook for another minute.

3. Scramble the eggs: Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet and add the lightly beaten eggs to the other side. Scramble the eggs until they are cooked through, then mix them with the vegetables.

4. Add the chicken and rice: Add the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to combine. Add the cooked rice and soy sauce and stir until everything is evenly coated.

5. Fry the rice: Cook the rice for another 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is heated through and slightly crispy.

6. Serve hot: Transfer the chicken fried rice to a serving dish and serve hot.

Note: It’s important to keep stirring the ingredients while cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. Also, make sure the chicken is fully cooked before adding it to the skillet.

Tips for Perfecting Your Chicken Fried Rice

Here are some tips to help you make the perfect chicken fried rice:

1. Use cold, cooked rice: Cold rice works best for fried rice because it’s less sticky and clumpy than freshly cooked rice. If you don’t have cold rice on hand, you can spread freshly cooked rice on a baking sheet and let it cool in the fridge for about 30 minutes.

2. Cook the eggs separately: Some people like to cook the eggs in the same skillet as the rice, but it’s better to scramble them separately and then add them to the rice at the end. This ensures that the eggs are cooked perfectly and don’t get lost in the rice.

3. Don’t overcook the vegetables: Vegetables like onions and carrots should be cooked until they’re just tender. Overcooked vegetables can become mushy and lose their flavor.

4. Use high heat: Use a high heat when cooking the rice to ensure that it gets crispy and doesn’t become mushy. A hot skillet also helps to prevent sticking.

5. Add flavor at the end: Add additional seasoning, like salt, pepper, and soy sauce, at the end of cooking. This allows you to adjust the flavor to your liking.

6. Customize to your taste: You can customize the ingredients to your taste. Try adding different vegetables, like bell peppers or broccoli, or using different protein sources, like shrimp or tofu.

By following these tips, you can make a delicious and personalized chicken fried rice that everyone will love.

Serving and Storing Chicken Fried Rice

Here are some tips for serving and storing chicken fried rice:

1. Serve hot: Chicken fried rice is best served hot, straight from the skillet or wok. Garnish with sliced green onions or cilantro for added flavor and color.

2. Store in the refrigerator: Leftover chicken fried rice can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove until heated through.

3. Freeze for later: Chicken fried rice can also be frozen for later. Allow it to cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat in the microwave or on the stove.

4. Don’t reheat multiple times: Avoid reheating chicken fried rice multiple times, as this can cause it to dry out and become less flavorful.

5. Enjoy as a main or side dish: Chicken fried rice can be served as a main dish or as a side dish to complement other Asian-inspired dishes like stir-fries or spring rolls.

By following these tips, you can enjoy your delicious chicken fried rice for days to come.