Choosing the Right Rice
First of all, you want perfect rice. For chicken fried rice, I always use jasmine rice. Aromatic flavor and a little bit sticky make it ideal to become permeated with the luscious sauce and then offer a great bite. You can use basmati rice as an option, but that will be a little lighter and fluffier. In that case, you prepare basmati rice little longer so that it doesn't stay hard.
What I have tried works with these two kinds of rice. But hey, if you have a favorite rice you like to use, go ahead! It is all about trying new things until you figure out what you love. Experimentation-now that is just a big word, but it means just trying!
It is all about what tastes best to you.
jasmine rice and basmati rice | Image: Supplied
Perfect Chicken
About chicken, well, I prefer using chicken breast for my fried rice, though you absolutely can use thighs if you like. The beauty of this whole thing is that you can use leftover cooked chicken. I'm all about conserving time and energy, so if you have any chicken already cooked, you may skip this step completely.
If you are using raw chicken, cut it into bite-sized pieces and sauté it in a pan with a little oil until browned and cooked through. You want the chicken to be cooked, but at the same time, not overcooked since it's going to go back into the pan. I mean, you do not want some rubbery chicken inside the fried rice, right? Nobody wants that! And, of course, sprinkle some salt and pepper on the chicken, too. That's really all it needs. Now for the vegetables!
chicken breast and thighs | Image: Supplied
Veggies Galore
There are really a lot of veggies you can add to your fried rice. Defaults for me are:
Then, of course, there are the additions you can make: broccoli, mushrooms, or even some spinach! It's your fried rice-make it your own!
And hey, if you're feeling extra fancy, go ahead and throw some eggs in your fried rice. Scramble 'em in at the end, or fry in a separate pan and on top.
And, of course, do not forget to chop up your vegetables into bite-sized pieces. This way they cook evenly and you can enjoy them in every single bite. You see, no one wants a large chunk of carrot in their fried rice!
chicken fried rice with vegetables | Image: Supplied
The Sauce is the Star
The secret to delicious chicken fried rice is flavorful sauce. My favorite is a mixture of:
You can add more or less of each ingredient according to your taste. If you want it sweeter, then you may add a little more sugar. If you like it more savory, then you may add more soy sauce. You can substitute honey for sugar if you wish.
By the way, if you still have some teriyaki sauce or sriracha, feel free to add a little to the sauce.
chicken fried rice sauce | Image: Supplied
Finishing Touches
Finally, with all your ingredients ready to go, it is now time to cook. I would use a large wok to fry; however, a normal skillet will do just fine.
This is how I would make my version of chicken fried rice:
chicken fried rice cooking process | Image: Supplied
Tips and Tricks
Now that you have learned the basic elements, it is time for some tips and tricks to help you improve your chicken fried rice:
It is all about finding what works best for you, so keep experimenting, trying new things and having fun with it. And above all, enjoy your fried rice deliciously!
chicken fried rice tips and tricks | Image: Supplied
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