Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
Introduction to Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice
If you’re craving a delicious and fulfilling meal that you can whip up in no time, look no further than restaurant-style chicken fried rice. This dish is not only easy to make but also versatile and packed with flavor, making it the perfect choice for a weeknight dinner or a casual gathering. With its vibrant colors and satisfying textures, this fried rice is sure to please everyone at the table.
A Personal Story Behind My Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice Journey
Growing up, my family often visited our favorite local Chinese restaurant, and chicken fried rice was always my go-to order. The way the chef expertly combined tender chicken with perfectly cooked rice and fresh vegetables left a lasting impression on me. Inspired by those flavors, I set out to recreate that wonderful dish in my own kitchen. Over the years, I’ve perfected my recipe to bring you a taste of nostalgia, right at home!
What Makes This Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice Recipe Special?
What sets this chicken fried rice apart is the balance of flavors and textures. The combination of sesame oil and butter creates a rich, savory taste, while the lemon juice adds a zesty brightness that elevates the dish. Additionally, using cold, day-old rice prevents clumping, ensuring each grain is perfectly distinct. This recipe is also customizable—feel free to add your favorite vegetables or proteins for a personal touch!
The Full Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ teaspoons sesame oil
- 4 teaspoons neutral oil (like avocado or canola), divided
- ¾ pound chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
- 5 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, divided
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- ½ cup diced white onion
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots)
- 2 large eggs
- 4 cups cooked rice, cooled
- Sesame seeds, optional for garnish
Instructions
- For the Chicken: In a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat, add 1 ½ teaspoons of sesame oil and 1 tablespoon (3 teaspoons) of neutral oil. Once hot, add the chicken pieces. Let the chicken cook for 1 minute without stirring. This helps achieve a nice brown color.
- Add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of butter, 2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Cook until the chicken is no longer pink, about 1 to 3 minutes. Stir only once or twice to allow the chicken to brown nicely.
- Transfer the cooked chicken to a medium bowl and set aside. Wipe out the skillet (or wok) to use again.
- For the Fried Rice: Heat 1 teaspoon of neutral oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and frozen vegetables. Sauté until the onions are almost translucent, about 3 minutes. This step enhances the flavor of the vegetables.
- Move the vegetables to one side of the skillet. Crack the eggs into the skillet and scramble with a spatula until cooked through.
- Add 4 cups of cooked rice and 3 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Stir frequently and cook for 5 minutes. Then, stir in 3 tablespoons of soy sauce and cook for an additional minute. Make sure to break up any clumps of rice.
- Stir in the cooked chicken, salt, and pepper. Cook until everything is well combined and warmed through, about 2 minutes. Portion into bowls, garnish with sesame seeds if desired, and serve warm.
Serving Suggestions and Variations for Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice
This chicken fried rice is a complete meal on its own, but you can serve it with a side of spring rolls or a fresh salad for an extra touch. For variations, consider adding diced bell peppers, broccoli, or even shrimp for a seafood twist. You can also switch up the protein by using beef or tofu, based on your preference. The possibilities are endless, making this dish a versatile addition to your recipe collection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice
Can I use leftover rice for this recipe? Yes, day-old rice is ideal for fried rice as it’s less sticky and will fry up perfectly.
What if I don’t have sesame oil? You can substitute with additional neutral oil, but the sesame oil adds a distinct flavor that is hard to replicate.
Is this dish gluten-free? You can make it gluten-free by using gluten-free soy sauce.
Can I make this vegetarian? Absolutely! Simply omit the chicken and use tofu or additional vegetables instead.
Recipe Stats
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Calories per Serving: 450
Servings: 4
Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice
Equipment
- Skillet or Wok For cooking the fried rice.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 teaspoon sesame oil
- 4 teaspoon neutral oil (like avocado or canola), divided
- 0.75 pound chicken breasts cut into small pieces
- 5 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce divided
- 4 tablespoon butter divided
- 2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 0.5 cup diced white onion
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots)
- 2 large eggs
- 4 cup cooked rice cooled
- Sesame seeds optional for garnish
Instructions
- In a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat, add 1 ½ teaspoons of sesame oil and 1 tablespoon (3 teaspoons) of neutral oil. Once hot, add the chicken pieces. Let the chicken cook for 1 minute without stirring.
- Add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of butter, 2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Cook until the chicken is no longer pink, about 1 to 3 minutes. Stir only once or twice to allow the chicken to brown nicely.
- Transfer the cooked chicken to a medium bowl and set aside. Wipe out the skillet (or wok) to use again.
- Heat 1 teaspoon of neutral oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and frozen vegetables. Sauté until the onions are almost translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Move the vegetables to one side of the skillet. Crack the eggs into the skillet and scramble with a spatula until cooked through.
- Add 4 cups of cooked rice and 3 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Stir frequently and cook for 5 minutes. Then, stir in 3 tablespoons of soy sauce and cook for an additional minute.
- Stir in the cooked chicken, salt, and pepper. Cook until everything is well combined and warmed through, about 2 minutes. Portion into bowls, garnish with sesame seeds if desired, and serve warm.