Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice

If you crave the rich flavors and satisfying textures of restaurant-style chicken fried rice but want to enjoy it in the comfort of your home, you’re in luck! This recipe captures all the essence of your favorite takeout dish and brings it right to your kitchen table. With tender pieces of chicken, vibrant vegetables, and perfectly cooked rice, this dish is a delightful blend that pleases both the palate and the eye. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or planning to impress guests at a gathering, restaurant-style chicken fried rice is your go-to solution. Plus, it’s incredibly customizable; feel free to adjust ingredients based on what’s in your fridge or what suits your taste buds best. The best part? It takes less time than waiting for delivery! Join me on this culinary adventure as we explore how to create this delicious dish from scratch.

Jump to:

• Why You’ll Love This Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice
• Ingredients for Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice
• How to Make Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice
• Tips and Tricks
• How to Serve Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice
• Make Ahead and Storage
• Suggestions for Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice
• Use Day-Old Rice
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan
• Cut Ingredients Evenly
• Season Gradually
• FAQs
• What type of rice is best for restaurant-style chicken fried rice?
• Can I add other proteins besides chicken?
• How do I store leftover chicken fried rice?
• Why does my fried rice taste bland?
• Conclusion
• 📖 Recipe Card

Why You’ll Love This Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice

• Quick and Easy: Minimal prep time and straightforward steps make this recipe stress-free, even for novice cooks
• Flavorful and Versatile: Enjoy outstanding flavor with ingredients you can easily customize by adding your favorites or adjusting spices
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Ideal for casual gatherings, holiday celebrations, or weeknight dinners

Ingredients for Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: I usually use about 3-4 chicken breasts, but you can adjust the amount depending on how many people you’re feeding
• Day-Old Cooked Rice: Using day-old rice prevents mushiness; ensure it’s chilled before cooking
• Mixed Vegetables: Frozen mixed vegetables work great; just make sure they are thawed beforehand
• Green Onions: Chopped green onions add freshness and color; reserve some for garnish
• Eggs: Two large eggs are ideal for adding richness and protein to the dish

For the Sauce:

• Soy Sauce: Use low-sodium soy sauce to better control the saltiness while still achieving great flavor
• Sesame Oil: A small amount of sesame oil enhances the overall taste with its nutty aroma

The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.

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How to Make Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice

Follow these simple steps to prepare this delicious dish:

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients

Gather all your ingredients before you start cooking. Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and beat the eggs in a separate bowl.

Step 2: Cook Chicken

In a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat, add a tablespoon of oil. Once hot, add the chopped chicken and cook until golden brown and no longer pink in the center (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from pan and set aside.

Step 3: Scramble Eggs

In the same skillet, pour in a little more oil if necessary. Add beaten eggs and scramble until fully cooked (approximately 2 minutes). Transfer scrambled eggs to a plate.

Step 4: Stir-Fry Vegetables

Add another tablespoon of oil to the skillet. Toss in mixed vegetables and sauté until they are tender (about 3 minutes). Stir frequently to prevent burning.

Step 5: Combine Ingredients

Return cooked chicken and scrambled eggs back into the skillet. Add chilled rice into the mix along with soy sauce and sesame oil. Stir well until everything is heated through (around 5 minutes).

Step 6: Serve

Transfer to plates and garnish with reserved green onions for the perfect finishing touch.

Tips and Tricks

Here are some helpful tips to ensure the best results for your dish:

• Even Cooking: Make sure all ingredients are cut to similar sizes for consistent cooking times
• Temperature Control: Let ingredients reach room temperature before starting for better results
• Advanced Technique: For enhanced flavor, try marinating the chicken in soy sauce for at least an hour before cooking

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How to Serve Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice

This Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice is versatile and pairs wonderfully with:

• Grilled Vegetables: Their smoky flavor enhances the dish, adding a vibrant touch to your meal.
• Egg Rolls: These crispy delights provide a satisfying crunch that complements the soft textures of the fried rice.
• Sweet and Sour Sauce: A tangy drizzle adds a burst of flavor, elevating the overall taste experience.

Feel free to pair it with your favorite sides for a personalized meal!

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Make Ahead and Storage

• Make Ahead: You can prepare components of your Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice in advance. Cook the rice a day ahead and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Chop vegetables and marinate chicken at least an hour before cooking to enhance flavors.
• Storing: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to four days in the refrigerator. For longer storage, consider freezing portions for up to three months. Make sure to cool the rice completely before sealing it in containers.
• Reheating: To reheat, use a microwave or stovetop. If using a microwave, cover the dish and heat on medium power for about two minutes, stirring halfway through. On the stovetop, add a splash of water to prevent sticking and heat over medium heat until warmed through.

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Suggestions for Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice

Use Day-Old Rice

One of the most crucial tips for making restaurant-style chicken fried rice is to use day-old rice. Freshly cooked rice tends to be moist and sticky, which makes it difficult to achieve that desired texture. Day-old rice has had time to dry out, making it less sticky and easier to fry. If you don’t have leftover rice, you can spread freshly cooked rice on a baking sheet and refrigerate it for at least an hour before using. This will help mimic the texture of day-old rice. Avoid using overly wet or clumpy rice, as it can lead to a mushy final dish.

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan

Overcrowding your cooking pan is a common mistake that can ruin your chicken fried rice. When you add too many ingredients at once, they steam instead of frying, which prevents that beautiful golden color from developing. To achieve optimal results, cook the chicken and vegetables in batches if necessary. This allows each ingredient to fry evenly and develop rich flavors. Remember that high heat is essential for stir-frying; overcrowding leads to a drop in temperature, affecting the overall quality of your dish.

Cut Ingredients Evenly

Uniformly cutting your ingredients is key to achieving even cooking in your restaurant-style chicken fried rice. When vegetables and proteins are chopped into similar sizes, they will cook at the same rate, ensuring that everything is tender and flavorful without any burnt pieces. Take extra care with your knife skills, slicing chicken into thin strips and dicing vegetables like carrots and bell peppers into small cubes. This attention to detail not only contributes to better texture but also enhances presentation when serving.

Season Gradually

Seasoning your restaurant-style chicken fried rice gradually is essential for a balanced flavor profile. Start with basic seasonings like soy sauce, sesame oil, or oyster sauce and add them incrementally while cooking. This will allow you to taste as you go and adjust according to your preference without overpowering the dish with too much saltiness right from the start. Remember that different ingredients absorb flavors differently; fresh vegetables may need less seasoning than proteins like chicken or shrimp.

FAQs

What type of rice is best for restaurant-style chicken fried rice?

When making restaurant-style chicken fried rice, jasmine or long-grain white rice works best due to their fluffy texture. These types of rice separate easily after cooking, which helps create that ideal fried rice consistency. It’s important to use cold, day-old rice if possible because it prevents clumping during stir-frying. If you must use fresh rice, make sure it is cooled completely before adding it to the pan. This way, you’ll achieve a more authentic texture reminiscent of what you’d find in a restaurant.

Can I add other proteins besides chicken?

Absolutely! While this recipe features chicken as the main protein, you can customize your restaurant-style chicken fried rice by adding shrimp, beef, pork, or tofu for a vegetarian option. Just ensure that any protein you use is cooked through before mixing it into the fried rice. Feel free to experiment with combinations as well; many restaurants offer variations based on available ingredients or customer preferences.

How do I store leftover chicken fried rice?

To maintain freshness and flavor, it’s important to store any leftover restaurant-style chicken fried rice properly. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it into an airtight container. Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to eat it within a few days or freeze it if you’ll keep it longer. Reheat leftovers on the stovetop over medium heat with a splash of water or oil to restore moisture without losing texture.

Why does my fried rice taste bland?

If your restaurant-style chicken fried rice turns out bland, there are several factors at play. First, consider whether you’ve seasoned sufficiently during cooking; under-seasoning can lead to lackluster flavor profiles. Secondly, using fresh rather than day-old rice can result in a soggy final product that absorbs flavors poorly. Lastly, incorporating aromatics such as garlic or ginger at the beginning can elevate the overall taste significantly by adding depth.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, mastering restaurant-style chicken fried rice involves paying attention to essential details such as using day-old rice and not overcrowding your pan during cooking. Cutting ingredients evenly ensures consistent cooking while gradual seasoning allows perfect flavor balance throughout the dish. Feel free to personalize this recipe by experimenting with different proteins or vegetables according to your taste preferences while following these guidelines for optimal results. With practice and these tips in mind, you’ll be able to recreate that delicious takeout experience right in your kitchen!