Chinese Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

Cooked rice: The base of the dish, providing a hearty and filling component.

Diced chicken breast: Adds protein and a tender texture to the fried rice.

Soy sauce: A salty and savory sauce that enhances the overall flavor.

Oyster sauce: Adds a rich, umami flavor to the dish.

Frozen peas and carrots: Adds color, texture, and a slight sweetness.

Eggs: Scrambled and mixed into the rice for added richness.

Vegetable oil: Used for cooking the ingredients and preventing them from sticking to the skillet.

Garlic: Adds a fragrant and savory note to the dish.

Green onions: Used as a garnish to add a fresh, mild onion flavor.

When making fried rice, it's crucial to use day-old rice rather than freshly cooked rice. Freshly cooked rice tends to be too moist and can result in a mushy texture. Day-old rice, on the other hand, has had time to dry out, which helps it to fry up nicely and absorb the flavors of the soy sauce and oyster sauce. If you don't have day-old rice, you can spread freshly cooked rice on a baking sheet and let it cool in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before using.

• cooked rice - Substitute with quinoa: Quinoa is a high-protein grain that can mimic the texture of rice while adding a nutty flavor.

• diced chicken breast - Substitute with tofu: Tofu is a great plant-based protein that absorbs flavors well, making it a good alternative for vegetarians.

• soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce with a similar umami flavor.

• oyster sauce - Substitute with hoisin sauce: Hoisin sauce provides a sweet and salty flavor profile similar to oyster sauce.

• frozen peas and carrots - Substitute with fresh bell peppers and corn: Fresh bell peppers and corn add a different texture and a sweet crunch to the dish.

• eggs - Substitute with scrambled tofu: Scrambled tofu can mimic the texture of scrambled eggs and is suitable for a vegan diet.

• vegetable oil - Substitute with sesame oil: Sesame oil adds a rich, nutty flavor that complements the other ingredients in fried rice.

• garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder, sweeter flavor compared to garlic and can be used as a substitute.

• green onions - Substitute with chives: Chives offer a similar mild onion flavor and can be used as a garnish or mixed into the dish.

• Allow the Chinese chicken fried rice to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the rice soggy.

• Transfer the cooled fried rice into airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Make sure to remove as much air as possible to maintain freshness.

• Label the containers or bags with the date of preparation. This helps you keep track of how long the fried rice has been stored.

• Store the fried rice in the refrigerator if you plan to consume it within 3-4 days. For longer storage, place it in the freezer where it can last up to 3 months.

• When ready to reheat, if the fried rice is frozen, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures even reheating and maintains the texture of the rice.

• Reheat the fried rice in a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of vegetable oil or a bit of soy sauce to prevent sticking and to refresh the flavors.

• Alternatively, you can reheat the fried rice in the microwave. Place it in a microwave-safe dish, cover it with a damp paper towel, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until thoroughly heated.

• Avoid reheating the fried rice more than once. Repeated reheating can lead to a loss of flavor and texture, and it may also pose food safety risks.

• If you notice any off smells, discoloration, or unusual textures, it's best to discard the fried rice to avoid any potential foodborne illnesses.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of vegetable oil or butter to the skillet.
  3. Once the oil is hot, add the leftover Chinese chicken fried rice.
  4. Stir frequently to ensure even heating, breaking up any clumps of rice.
  5. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the rice is heated through and slightly crispy.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the leftover Chinese chicken fried rice in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Add a splash of water or chicken broth to keep the rice moist.
  3. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent.
  4. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, then stir the rice.
  5. Continue microwaving in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the rice is thoroughly heated.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Spread the leftover Chinese chicken fried rice evenly in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
  4. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the rice is heated evenly.

• Steamer Method:

  1. Place the leftover Chinese chicken fried rice in a heatproof bowl.
  2. Set up a steamer basket over a pot of simmering water.
  3. Place the bowl in the steamer basket and cover with a lid.
  4. Steam for about 5-10 minutes, or until the rice is heated through.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Spread the leftover Chinese chicken fried rice in an even layer in the air fryer basket.
  3. Air fry for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.

• Large skillet: A broad, flat-bottomed pan used for cooking the eggs, chicken, and rice together.

• Spatula: A tool used to scramble the eggs and stir the ingredients in the skillet.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure the cooked rice and diced chicken breast accurately.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and vegetable oil.

• Knife: Essential for dicing the chicken breast and chopping the green onions.

• Cutting board: A surface used to safely chop and dice ingredients.

• Mixing bowl: Used to beat the eggs before scrambling them in the skillet.

• Garlic press: A tool to mince the garlic cloves quickly and efficiently.

• Wooden spoon: Useful for stirring the ingredients in the skillet without scratching the surface.

• Serving spoon: Used to serve the finished fried rice onto plates.

Use leftover rice: Cook extra rice the day before and store it in the fridge. Cold rice works best for fried rice.

Pre-cook chicken: Dice and cook chicken breast in advance. Store it in the fridge to save time during meal prep.

Frozen vegetables: Use frozen peas and carrots to skip the washing and chopping.

Garlic paste: Substitute minced garlic with ready-made garlic paste to save chopping time.

One-pan method: Cook everything in one large skillet to reduce cleanup time.

Prep ingredients: Have all ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking.