Tender Chicken Thigh Fried Rice: A Quick and Delicious Meal
Tender Chicken Thigh Fried Rice: A Quick and Delicious Meal
Juicy Chicken Thigh Fried Rice: A Hearty Lunch Ready in a Flash
Here’s a super simple recipe to make a fantastic fried rice using ingredients you likely have in your fridge. The tenderness of the chicken thigh combined with the varied textures of the vegetables makes it a dish the whole family can enjoy.
Main Ingredients- 300g Chicken Thighs: Remove skin and fat, then cut into bite-sized pieces.
- 2 Bowls Cooked Rice: Warm rice is best for fried rice. If using cold rice, warm it up slightly.
- 200g Cabbage: Shredded coarsely.
- 4 Cloves Garlic: Thinly sliced to add garlic aroma.
- 1/2 Small Onion: Finely chopped or sliced.
- 1/4 Each Red & Yellow Bell Pepper: Seeds removed and finely chopped to add color.
- 2 Eggs: Use fresh eggs.
- 150g Chopped Chives: The fragrant chives will enhance the flavor of the fried rice.
Seasoning & Others- 1.5 Tbsp Oyster Sauce: Adds umami.
- 1 Tbsp Teriyaki Sauce: Adds a sweet and savory flavor.
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce: For basic seasoning.
- 2 Tbsp Sesame Oil: For a nutty aroma.
- 2 Tbsp Canola Oil: For stir-frying.
- 1 Pinch Herb Salt: To remove any gamey smell from the chicken and add flavor.
- Pinch of Black Pepper: To remove any gamey smell from the chicken and enhance flavor.
- Pinch of Toasted Sesame Seeds: For garnish and nutty crunch.
- 1.5 Tbsp Oyster Sauce: Adds umami.
- 1 Tbsp Teriyaki Sauce: Adds a sweet and savory flavor.
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce: For basic seasoning.
- 2 Tbsp Sesame Oil: For a nutty aroma.
- 2 Tbsp Canola Oil: For stir-frying.
- 1 Pinch Herb Salt: To remove any gamey smell from the chicken and add flavor.
- Pinch of Black Pepper: To remove any gamey smell from the chicken and enhance flavor.
- Pinch of Toasted Sesame Seeds: For garnish and nutty crunch.
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Marinate Chicken to Remove Odor: Place the chicken thighs in about 1 cup of milk with 2 tablespoons of black pepper and let them soak for 20 minutes. Milk is effective in tenderizing and removing any gamey smell from the chicken. After soaking, rinse the chicken thoroughly under running water, pat dry completely, and cut into bite-sized pieces (about 2-3 cm).
Step 2
Infuse Garlic Aroma & Sear Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of canola oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and sauté until fragrant to create garlic oil. Once the garlic is lightly browned, add the cut chicken thighs. Sprinkle with pepper and herb salt, then sear on both sides until golden brown. Cook until the chicken is almost fully cooked.
Step 3
Sauté Vegetables & Season: Once the chicken is cooked, use kitchen scissors to cut it into bite-sized pieces directly in the pan. Add the coarsely shredded cabbage and sliced onion. Stir-fry along with the chicken until the vegetables are slightly translucent. Then, pour 1 tablespoon of soy sauce along the edge of the pan to lightly season the ingredients. This helps the soy sauce caramelize slightly, adding more flavor.
Step 4
Mix Rice and Vegetables: Add 2 bowls of warm cooked rice to the seasoned ingredients. Use a spatula to break up any clumps of rice and gently mix everything together until the rice is evenly coated. Stir-fry until the rice grains are coated with the seasoning and vegetables. Add the finely chopped bell peppers (red and yellow) for color and stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes until the colors are vibrant.
Step 5
Add Sauces for Rich Flavor: Stir in 1.5 tablespoons of oyster sauce and 1 tablespoon of teriyaki sauce. Mix well with all the ingredients and continue to stir-fry, allowing the sauces to flavor the rice. Taste and adjust the sauces as needed according to your preference. Ensure the flavors are well-balanced.
Step 6
Make Scrambled Eggs & Combine: Push the fried rice to one side of the pan. Pour the 2 beaten eggs into the empty space and cook over medium-low heat until scrambled. Once the eggs are about 70% cooked, mix them thoroughly with the rice for a softer texture.
Step 7
Add Chives for Freshness: Turn off the heat. Using the residual heat of the pan, add the chopped chives and gently mix. Chives lose their color and aroma if cooked for too long, so adding them at the end is best. The subtle fragrance of the chives will beautifully infuse the entire fried rice.
Step 8
Final Aromatic Touch: Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of sesame oil and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. The rich, nutty aroma of the sesame oil will further enhance the flavor of the fried rice.
Step 9
Serve and Enjoy: Plate the finished chicken thigh fried rice attractively. Enjoy a hearty and delicious meal with this flavorful chicken thigh fried rice!
