Most of us love the chicken fried rice from Chinese restaurants & take outs. This detailed post will help you make the best chicken fried rice that is full of flavors & deliciousness. It is highly impossible to replicate the flavors of Chinese foods made in restaurants as they use a Chinese wok. Using a carbon steel wok on a large burner would typically emit a smoky aroma to the fried rice. A regular pan can never bring in such flavors. Over the years I have found that using a carbon steel wok or cast iron pan can bring similar flavors to some extent but not the same. So if you have a carbon steel wok, cast iron skillet or a pan do use it. Chicken fried rice is made differently in each place and region. Here are some tips to help you choose your ingredients.
Tips to
make chicken fried rice
Rice
Chicken
Egg or corn starch
Sauce
Veggies
For more nutrition you can also add carrots, peas, corn & mushrooms if you like. These are the veggies I do not use in a chicken fried rice.
Serving Suggestions
This chicken fried rice is amazing on its own and does not need any sides. Veg manchurian, chicken manchurian or gobi manchurian go well as sides. You can also serve this with vegetable soup, clear soup or chicken soup. More Indo-Chinese recipesVeg fried rice Chilli chicken Schezwan chicken Egg fried rice
Preparation for Chicken fried rice
- Wash rice in lot of water and soak for 20 mins. Drain off and cook in 3 to 4 cups water. When the rice is cooked al dente, drain it to a colander. The rice must be firm and almost cooked but not mushy. Cover and rest for a while. Fluff up with a fork and cool completely.
- Meanwhile prepare the veggies and garlic. You can also use green chilies for extra heat.
- Ensure your chicken is cut to bite sized pieces. Add pepper, salt and 2 tbsps egg white. Instead of egg you can also add ¾ tbsp corn starch or corn flour. Mix this up well.
How to make chicken fried rice
- Pour 1.5 tbsps oil to a hot wok or pan. When the oil turns hot, add the chicken. Stir fry for 3 to 4 mins stirring often. If the egg sticks to your pan, just scrape off with the spatula.
- You can check if the chicken is cooked at this stage. Mine gets done under 4 mins. Push the chicken to one side of the pan. Then beat the rest of the egg and pour it.
- Scramble it and fry until the egg is cooked through yet soft. Do not overcook. Remove it to a plate.
- Pour another half tbsp oil and fry the garlic on the highest flame.
- Then add spring onion whites, chilles (optional) and bell peppers. Stir fry for 1 to 2 mins.
- Add the rice, soya sauce and pepper. You can also add your favorite sauces. Stir fry for a minute.
- Add the chicken and the egg. Taste and add more salt or sauce at this stage.
- Fry until the rice turns hot. Add spring onion greens. Serve chicken fried rice hot. Related Recipes