Do you have leftovers in the fridge that no one seems to finish? Don’t worry—with today’s recipe, they might just come back asking for more! Yes, I am talking about yummy garlic chicken fried rice.
One of my all-time favorites for using up leftovers is garlic chicken fried rice. The cooking starts off with high heat and oil sizzling in the pan. As the sweet aroma of garlic and the spicy kick of chili flakes start their magic on the ingredients, the leftover rice comes to life with a new flavor. While the garlic caramelizes, it sets the stage for the chicken to absorb all the delicious flavor and get a nice, golden brown sear.
Along with the chicken and spices, the recipe features a colorful mix of vegetables that brings both freshness and nutrition to the dish. To top it all off, scrambled eggs are tossed in, completing the dish on a hearty and wholesome note. And just like that- a delicious and balanced meal gets ready using nothing more than yesterday’s rice and a few things hanging around my refrigerator!
Fun Ways To Serve Garlic Chicken Fried Rice Recipe
A good presentation is necessary to take this simple recipe to the next level! Keep in mind that the way you serve your fried rice can bring the candle-lit restaurant-quality vibe right to the comfort of your own kitchen.
Rice Bowl
I have learned this trick from fast food joints which serve a delicious meal called rice bowl by adding some extra ingredients to the fried rice!
So, the fried rice in today’s recipe contains veggies, chicken, and eggs in it. To upgrade it to a restaurant-quality rice bowl, you need to add a side protein like grilled shrimp or tofu. For a flavor boost, add a drizzle of teriyaki sauce or creamy mayo over the fried rice.
The sweet and savory mix of ingredients gives the dish a gourmet touch and makes each bite irresistible! Top it off with some sesame seeds or crispy onion, and you will get yourself a delicious rice bowl with a crunchy addition.
Lettuce Wrap
Want to try something totally different? Try serving the fried rice in lettuce wraps!
This fun decoration brings a touch of fresh crunch to the entire dish and adds a vibrant green shell that contrasts beautifully with the colorful ingredients inside. With the lettuce wrap as a base, you can easily control the portion sizes and customize each wrap with individual toppings, herbs, sauce, etc.
The best part is that you don’t even need a plate to enjoy this meal – just grab a wrap and indulge in a yummy dish on the go!
Stuffed Bell Pepper
Another plate-free way to enjoy this fried rice is by stuffing it into bell peppers!
Bell peppers come in many colorful varieties such as red, yellow and green, each bringing its own flavor to the dish. To use the bell pepper as a serving bowl, begin by cutting off the top part and removing the seeds inside. Select large-sized bell peppers for this recipe so that they can hold a generous amount of rice in them. Brush the bell peppers with oil and roast them in the oven for about 20 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once the bell peppers have softened, fill the hollow space inside it with your garlic chicken fried rice. You can sprinkle cheese on top for a creamy delight or keep it refreshing by using fresh herbs as a finishing touch.
Recipe Card
Garlic Chicken Fried Rice Recipe| Easy Chicken Fried Rice
Ingredients
For Chicken Marination
- 1 large-size Boneless Chicken Breast (Cubed)
- ½ tsp / 3 g Salt
- ½ tsp / 1 g Black Pepper
- 1 tsp / 5 ml Soy Sauce
- 1 tbsp / 8 g All-Purpose Flour
For Cooking Eggs
- 2 large-size Eggs
- Salt (A Pinch)
- 2 tbsp / 30 ml Vegetable Oil
For Cooking Fried Rice
- 2 tbsp / 30 ml Vegetable Oil
- 2 tbsp / 16 g Garlic (Minced)
- 1 tsp / 2 g Chili Flakes
- ½ cup / 64 g Carrots (Diced)
- ½ cup / 75 g Frozen Peas
- 2 cups / 370 g Leftover Rice
- Salt (To Taste)
- ½ tsp / 1 g Black Pepper
- 1 tsp / 5 ml Soy Sauce
- 1 tsp / 5 ml Sesame Oil
- 2 tbsp / 12 g Spring Onion
Equipments
- Small Bowls
Instructions
Marinate The Chicken
- Take a large mixing bowl with 1 large boneless chicken breast cut into cubes in it.
- Season the chicken with ½ tsp of salt, ½ tsp of black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of soy sauce.
- Add 1 tbsp of all-purpose flour to coat the chicken.
- Using a spoon, mix the chicken cubes with the seasonings and flour until they are fully coated. Set it aside for later use.
Scramble The Eggs
- In a small mixing bowl, crack 2 large eggs into it.
- Add a pinch of salt to season the eggs.
- Using a fork, whisk the eggs until the mixture is smooth.
- Place a large frying pan on the stove over high heat.
- Pour 2 tbsp of vegetable oil into the pan.
- Add the egg mixture to the hot oil.
- Wait for the eggs to firm up a little, and as they start setting, use a spatula to break them into small pieces.
- Remove the scrambled eggs from the pan and transfer them to a plate for later use.
Cook The Chicken
- Place the frying pan back on the stove over high heat.
- Pour 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil into the pan.
- Add 2 tbsp of minced garlic and 1 teaspoon of chili flakes to the hot oil. Fry the mixture for about 30 seconds.
- Add the marinated chicken to the pan. Fry for 3-4 minutes while stirring frequently until the chicken is cooked.
Saute The Vegetables
- Add ½ cup of diced carrots and ½ cup of frozen peas to the chicken.
- Stir the chicken and veggie mixture for 2-3 minutes or until the vegetables begin to soften.
Add Leftover Rice and Eggs
- Add the cooked rice to the pan,
- Use a spatula to gently mix the vegetables, chicken, and rice.
- Sprinkle salt to taste and ½ tsp of black pepper over the rice.
- Add 1 tsp of soy sauce and 1 tsp of sesame oil to the dish.
- Add the scrambled eggs back into the pan and stir them through the rice and veggies.
Garnish, Serve and Enjoy!
- Garnish the dish with 2 tablespoons of spring onion and stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- For presentation, use a small bowl to shape the rice before flipping it onto a plate.
- Serve hot, and enjoy the delicious garlic chicken fried rice!
Video
I love repurposing and reusing things, whether it’s furniture, clothes, or especially food. Since I was young, I have been taught never to waste food as it’s too precious to let go. With this habit rooted in me, I now enjoy being creative in my kitchen and discovering fun ways to turn leftovers into delicious new meals like today’s garlic chicken fried recipe!
After making these garlic chicken fried rice recipes, you will change your perspective on leftover rice. It’s not just a way to use leftover rice; it’s a flavorful dish worth preparing from scratch. The tender chicken, fragrant garlic, and well-cooked rice make for a comforting and impressive meal for any time.
When you make these easy chicken fried rice recipes, you will never look at the leftover rice the way you look now.
Recipe FAQs
What Goes Well With Garlic Fried Rice As Sides?
You can serve garlic chicken fried rice with spring rolls, salads, steamed dumplings, soup, kimchi etc.
Can I Use Freshly Cooked Rice For This Recipe?
Yes, you can. However, day-old rice is better as it’s drier and doesn’t get sticky while cooking. For freshly cooked rice, make sure it’s cooled down completely before using in this recipe.
How To Store Leftover Fried Rice?
You can store the leftover garlic chicken fried rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
1 comment
Thank you for sharing this recipe