Chicken fried rice has earned its place as a household favourite because it delivers exactly what many home cooks are looking for.
Image: Nadim Shaikh / Pexels
Chicken fried rice is one of those meals that seems to solve several dinnertime problems at once.
On evenings when cooking feels like a chore and the fridge looks a little uninspiring, it can turn a container of leftover rice, some chicken from the night before and a handful of vegetables into something that feels like a proper meal rather than a collection of odds and ends.
It is no surprise that the dish has become a favourite in homes around the world.
While many people think of chicken fried rice as a takeaway treat, it is surprisingly simple to make at home, costs considerably less and can be adapted to suit whatever ingredients you already have on hand.
Some recipes demand a lot of planning, preparation and washing up. Chicken fried rice is not one of them.
Everything cooks in a single pan, which means less time standing over the stove and less time cleaning afterwards.
Once your ingredients are chopped and ready to go, the dish comes together quickly, making it ideal for those evenings when everyone is hungry and patience is running low.
It is also one of those dependable meals that can be adjusted to suit what is already in the kitchen.
If you have extra vegetables that need using up, throw them in. If you have more chicken than the recipe calls for, even better. Chicken fried rice is wonderfully forgiving.
Many of the best home-cooked meals start with ingredients that might otherwise go to waste.
Chicken fried rice is a perfect example. Leftover rice that has spent a night in the fridge develops a firmer texture, making it ideal for stir-frying. Instead of becoming soft and sticky, the grains stay separate and absorb all the flavours of the sauce.
The same goes for leftover chicken. Whether it is roast chicken from Sunday lunch, grilled chicken from the night before or a few pieces from a store-bought rotisserie chicken, it can be transformed into something that feels completely different.
At a time when many households are looking for ways to make their groceries stretch further, recipes like this prove that leftovers can be every bit as enjoyable as the original meal.
Chicken fried rice often gets grouped together with takeaway food, but a homemade version can be surprisingly balanced.
The chicken and eggs provide protein, helping to make the meal satisfying and filling.
Mixed vegetables contribute fibre, vitamins and minerals, while the rice provides the carbohydrates needed for energy.
Because you control the ingredients, it is easy to increase the amount of vegetables and adjust the seasoning to suit your preferences.
Peas, carrots, corn, green beans and peppers all work well, adding colour and nutritional value to every serving.
When prepared at home, chicken fried rice becomes much more than a quick convenience meal. It is a practical way to enjoy a variety of ingredients in one bowl.
INGREDIENTS
For the chicken fried rice
For the stir-fry sauce
Method
Mix the regular soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar and white pepper together in a small bowl and set aside.
Place the diced chicken in a bowl and coat it with a tablespoon of the sauce mixture.
Beat the eggs with a pinch of salt and prepare the vegetables.
Heat the cooking oil in a large wok or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant before adding the chicken. Cook until browned and cooked through.
Push the chicken to one side of the pan and pour in the eggs. Stir gently until scrambled.
Remove the chicken and eggs from the pan and set aside.
Add the onion and mixed vegetables to the pan and stir-fry until tender.
Add the cooked rice and break up any clumps. Pour over the remaining sauce and toss until the rice is evenly coated.
Return the chicken and eggs to the pan and mix everything together.
Finish with the spring onions and sesame oil. Toss well and serve immediately.
IOL Lifestyle