Chinese Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

Rice: The base of the dish, providing a neutral canvas for the other flavors.

Chicken breast: Adds protein and a tender texture to the dish.

Soy sauce: A salty, umami-rich sauce that enhances the overall flavor.

Oyster sauce: Adds a deep, savory flavor with a hint of sweetness.

Peas and carrots: Provide color, texture, and a touch of sweetness.

Eggs: Add richness and a slight creaminess to the fried rice.

Garlic: Infuses the dish with a fragrant, savory aroma.

Vegetable oil: Used for cooking the ingredients and ensuring they don't stick to the skillet.

Green onions: Add a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of color.

When preparing fried rice, it's essential to use day-old rice rather than freshly cooked rice. Day-old rice has had time to dry out, which helps it achieve the perfect texture when stir-frying. Freshly cooked rice tends to be too moist and can result in a mushy dish. If you don't have day-old rice, 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 provides a similar texture and is a great source of protein and fiber.

• 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 has a similar sweet and savory profile, making it a good substitute.

• Frozen peas and carrots - Substitute with fresh bell peppers and snap peas: Fresh vegetables add a different crunch and flavor profile while maintaining the dish's colorful appeal.

• Eggs - Substitute with scrambled tofu: Scrambled tofu can mimic the texture of eggs and is suitable for vegans.

• Garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder, sweeter flavor that can complement the dish well.

• Vegetable oil - Substitute with sesame oil: Sesame oil adds a nutty flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish.

• Green onions - Substitute with chives: Chives offer a similar mild onion flavor and can be used as a garnish.

• 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. For portion control, consider dividing the rice into individual servings.
• Label the containers or bags with the date. This helps you keep track of how long the fried rice has been stored.
• Store the containers in the refrigerator if you plan to eat the fried rice within 3-4 days. Ensure the temperature is consistently below 40°F (4°C).
• For longer storage, place the containers or bags in the freezer. The fried rice can be frozen for up to 3 months without significant loss of quality.
• When ready to reheat, if the fried rice is frozen, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures even reheating.
• Reheat the fried rice in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of vegetable oil or soy sauce to refresh the flavors. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
• Alternatively, you can reheat the fried rice in the microwave. Place it in a microwave-safe dish, cover 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, as repeated heating and cooling can affect the texture and safety of the dish.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of vegetable oil or sesame oil to the skillet.
  3. Once the oil is hot, add the leftover Chinese chicken fried rice.
  4. Stir frequently to ensure even heating and to prevent sticking.
  5. Cook for about 5-7 minutes or until the rice is heated through.
  6. Optionally, add a splash of soy sauce or a bit more oyster sauce to refresh the flavors.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the leftover Chinese chicken fried rice in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Add a tablespoon of water or chicken broth to keep the rice moist.
  3. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel.
  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 heated through.
  6. Let it sit for a minute before serving to allow the heat to distribute evenly.

• 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 the rice from drying out.
  4. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is heated through.
  5. Stir halfway through the heating process to ensure even warming.
  6. Remove from the oven and let it sit for a couple of minutes before serving.

• Steamer Method:

  1. Place the leftover Chinese chicken fried rice in a heatproof bowl that fits inside your steamer.
  2. Fill the steamer with water and bring it to a boil.
  3. Place the bowl of rice in the steamer and cover.
  4. Steam for about 5-10 minutes or until the rice is heated through.
  5. Stir the rice halfway through to ensure even heating.
  6. Carefully remove the bowl from the steamer and serve hot.

• Large skillet: A wide, flat-bottomed pan used for cooking the ingredients evenly.

• Spatula: A tool for stirring and mixing ingredients in the skillet.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure the rice and other ingredients accurately.

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

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

• Cutting board: A surface for safely cutting and preparing the ingredients.

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

• Garlic press: A tool for mincing the garlic cloves efficiently.

• Serving spoon: Used for serving the finished fried rice.

Use leftover rice: Cook extra rice a day before and refrigerate. Cold rice works best for fried rice.

Pre-cut ingredients: Dice chicken breast and chop green onions in advance to save prep time.

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

One-pan cooking: Use a large skillet or wok to cook everything in one pan, reducing cleanup time.

Quick scramble: Scramble eggs in the same pan first, then set aside to save on dishes.