u/CookingwithDebs

Chicken Fried Rice

Chicken Fried Rice

Fried rice has always been one of my favorites. I’ve been making it for years, and it’s something my family always enjoys. It’s simple, delicious, and pairs well with almost anything. 

Ingredients

1½ cups (270 g) uncooked long-grain white rice
1½ cups (270 g) water
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder or 1 bouillon cube
1 bunch green onions
½ large onion, chopped (about 120 g or ¾-1 cup)
½ cup (75-100 g) chicken breast, very finely diced (pea size)
1 teaspoon minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
2 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
2 eggs
2 Tablespoons water
2½ Tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce 

Method

Slice the green onion tops for finishing. Trim off the root ends and save the long bottom pieces for cooking with the rice (see photo).

Cook the rice, ideally the day before or in the morning before frying. Add the chicken bouillon to the water and stir until fully dissolved. Next, add the rice and give a quick stir, then add the green onion bottoms and the garlic, then give another stir.

I cook the rice using a pressure cooker on high for 2 minutes with a 10-minute natural release. If using a standard rice cooker, measure rice and liquid by volume (1:1). For firmer rice, reduce the water by 2 Tablespoons.  After cooking, spread the rice out on a baking sheet and allow it to cool completely, and then refrigerate. This should yield about 4–4½ cups cooked rice. The rice should be cool and dry to the touch before frying.

Beat two eggs with 2 Tablespoons water and scramble in a skillet over medium heat (use a small amount of butter or oil to prevent sticking) until just set and still slightly glossy. Remove and set aside.

Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot, swirling to mix. Add the chopped onion and finely diced chicken at the same time. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring, until the chicken is just cooked through and no longer pink. Add the rice, breaking it up, and spread it into a thin layer. Let it sit undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to lightly brown. Stir and continue cooking until heated through, then drizzle the soy sauce over the rice, 1 Tablespoon at a time, mixing thoroughly. Add the eggs and mix, breaking them up gently. Turn off the heat, add green onions a handful at a time until the desired ratio, gently fold them in, and serve. 

Notes

Rice Note: Day-old rice works best for fried rice. If making the same day, cook the rice in the morning, spread it out to cool, then refrigerate until ready to use. Do not fry rice while it is still warm or soft, or it will turn mushy.

Garlic: If you do not have fresh or minced garlic to add while cooking the rice, use ½ teaspoon garlic powder instead, then add it with the soy sauce and stir to combine.

reddit.com
u/CookingwithDebs — 2 days ago

Black Pepper Chicken in a Light Sauce

Black pepper chicken is one of those dishes I always seek out at the buffet. When it’s made right, I keep going back for more. I really like that the chicken is not breaded, and the pepper is not as strong as you might think. The sweetness of the onions really comes through and tastes so delicious with the sauce, giving you that pleasant, mild lingering pepper heat without the bite. The sauce is light instead of thick and heavy. I decided to recreate it at home, and it’s surprisingly easy to make. 

Ingredients

1 pound (450 g) chicken breast
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup sliced onion (100 g)
2½ Tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 Tablespoons water or chicken broth
1¼ teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 Tablespoon water

Method

Slice the onion into thin strips and set aside.

Cut the chicken into small, slender bite-sized pieces and set aside. Smaller pieces give you a better chicken-to-sauce ratio.

Heat a large skillet for 30-60 seconds over medium heat, then add 1 Tbsp vegetable oil. Add the onion slices and sauté for 2-3 minutes, then turn the heat to medium-high and let the pan come up to temperature for 30 seconds. Add the chicken in a single layer and let it cook undisturbed for 1-2 minutes to get a light color. Begin stirring and continue to stir every few seconds while cooking until just cooked through, about 2-4 minutes longer, until no pink remains. Be careful not to overcook.

Note: Chicken pieces will stick together; gently break them apart with a spatula or spoon.

In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, broth (or water), sugar, and black pepper. Pour into the pan and bring to a quick simmer. Stir the cornstarch with 1 Tbsp cold water to make a slurry, and then add about half while stirring. The sauce should look lightly glossy and just coat the chicken and onions. The spatula should leave a light trail that quickly fills back in when you drag it through the pan. Add the remainder of the slurry, if needed. If it becomes too thick, add a small splash of water or broth. This is a light sauce and should not be thick or heavy.

Serve immediately; it pairs well with fried rice or lo mein noodles.

reddit.com
u/CookingwithDebs — 16 days ago