Chicken Fried Rice

Prepare

1. 🥄Fried rice is best made with leftover rice that's at least a day old.
2. 🔥Otherwise it becomes gummy in the skillet.

Cook

1. 🔥If you don’t have any leftover rice from the night before, cook a batch of rice and spread it on a large baking sheet or several large plates.

Steps

1. 🧂Let the rice dry out for about 1 to 2 hours before using it for fried rice.
2. 🍳Rice sticks to the pan very easily, so make sure to use a wok or pan that doesn’t have a sticky surface.

Prepare

1. 🍳I usually cook stir-fries in my seasoned carbon steel wok, but cast iron or nonstick pans work well, too.

Steps

1. 🫇You might need to add a little more oil if things aren’t releasing easily.

Prepare

1. 🍽️Prepare the chicken:
2. 🌿Chop the chicken into small 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch cubes.
3. ✨Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of salt over the chicken and mix to combine.
4. 🥄Set the chicken aside for about 10 minutes (I usually use this time to chop all the vegetables).

Steps

1. 🌿Scramble the egg:
2. ✨Heat a wok or large sauté pan over medium-high heat.

Prepare

1. ✨Swirl in a tablespoon of oil and add the whisked eggs.

Steps

1. 🥄Use a spatula to quickly scramble the eggs, breaking the curds into smaller pieces as they come together.

Serve

1. 🔥Transfer the eggs to a plate.

Cook

1. 🧂Cook the chicken:

Steps

1. 🍳Add another tablespoon of oil in the wok or pan.

Cook

1. 🫇Add the chicken and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. 🍽️Turn off the heat and transfer the cooked chicken to a plate.

Steps

1. 🍽️Using your spatula, scrape off any chicken bits that are still stuck to the wok so they don't burn during the next step.
2. 🌿You can also use paper towels to wipe down your wok or pan.

Cook

1. 🌿Cook the vegetables:

Steps

1. ✨Swirl 1 tablespoon of oil into the wok over medium-high heat.

Cook

1. 🥄Add the diced onions and cook them for 1 minute, until they start to soften.

Prepare

1. 🔥Mix in the minced garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Cook

1. 🧂Add the diced carrots and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.

Steps

1. 🍳Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and the peas, and stir to incorporate.

Cook

1. 🫇Cook the rice:

Prepare

1. 🍽️Add the rice to the wok or pan on top of the vegetables and stir to combine.

Steps

1. 🌿Using the back of your spatula, smash any large chunks of rice to break them apart.

Prepare

1. ✨Add the white and green parts of the sliced scallions (save the dark green parts) and five-spice powder.

Steps

1. 🥄Stir to incorporate.
2. 🔥If the rice starts to stick to the pan, stir in a little more oil.
3. 🧂Drizzle the soy sauce and sesame oil over the rice and stir to incorporate.

Cook

1. 🔥Stir in the cooked chicken, scrambled eggs, and the dark parts of the scallions.
2. 🧂Stir briefly to bring it together, and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes.

Serve

1. 🧂Serve:

Steps

1. 🍳Taste, and add more soy sauce if necessary.

Serve

1. 🫇Serve immediately.