Tropical Chicken Macadamia Fried Rice
This Tropical Chicken Macadamia Fried Rice is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines tender pieces of chicken with nutty macadamia nuts and the sweet zest of mandarin oranges. It’s a delightful blend of textures and tastes, making for a satisfying meal that's perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep. The addition of fluffy scrambled eggs lends richness, while a drizzle of reduced sodium soy sauce enhances the flavors without overpowering. Quick to whip up and packed with protein, this dish is both delicious and reasonably low in fat, ensuring you can enjoy a gourmet experience at home. Serve it over warm basmati rice garnished with fresh salad for a colorful and nutritious plate.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Basmati Rice
1 (cooked)
Olive Oil
2 (tablespoons)
Eggs
2 (large, lightly beaten)
Garlic Cloves
2 (finely chopped)
Cooked Chicken
3 (cups, cubed)
Mandarin Oranges
2 (peeled and broken into segments)
Green Onions
3 (thinly sliced)
Macadamia Nuts
1/2 (cup, salted and dry-roasted, coarsely chopped)
Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce
2 (tablespoons)
Black Pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
Instructions
1
Cook basmati rice according to the package instructions. Once cooked, fluff it with a fork and keep it warm.
2
In a wok or large sauté pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat.
3
Add the beaten eggs to the pan and scramble them for about 3 minutes, or until set. Once cooked, transfer the eggs to a small bowl and keep warm.
4
In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and toss in the cubed chicken. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until lightly browned.
5
Stir in the mandarin segments, sliced green onions, and coarsely chopped macadamia nuts. Mix well and cook for an additional minute.
6
Add the cooked basmati rice and reduced sodium soy sauce to the pan. Stir-fry everything together for 4 minutes or until well combined and heated through.
7
Finally, gently fold in the scrambled eggs and season with freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir-fry for an additional minute to combine the flavors.
8
Serve the fried rice over a bed of warm basmati rice and enjoy with your favorite salad on the side.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tropical Chicken Macadamia Fried Rice?
It is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines tender pieces of chicken with nutty macadamia nuts and the sweet zest of mandarin oranges.
What type of rice is recommended for this recipe?
Basmati rice is recommended for its fluffy texture.
How should the chicken be prepared before cooking?
The chicken should be already cooked and cubed into 3-cup portions.
What kind of nuts are used in this recipe?
Salted and dry-roasted macadamia nuts are used.
How should the macadamia nuts be processed?
The macadamia nuts should be coarsely chopped before adding them to the pan.
Are the mandarin oranges fresh?
The recipe calls for two mandarin oranges that are peeled and broken into segments.
How many eggs are needed for this recipe?
You will need 2 large eggs, lightly beaten.
What oil is best for this stir-fry?
The recipe uses olive oil, specifically 2 tablespoons divided.
How many garlic cloves are required?
Two finely chopped garlic cloves are used to season the dish.
Is this recipe considered low fat?
Yes, the dish is described as being reasonably low in fat while remaining packed with protein.
Is this dish suitable for meal prep?
Yes, its flavors and textures make it a great option for meal prep or quick weeknight dinners.
What type of soy sauce should I use?
Reduced sodium soy sauce is used to enhance the flavors without overpowering the dish with salt.
How are the green onions prepared?
The recipe calls for 3 thinly sliced green onions.
How long do you scramble the eggs?
The eggs should be scrambled for about 3 minutes or until set.
Should I cook the rice beforehand?
Yes, cook the basmati rice according to package instructions and fluff it with a fork before stir-frying.
When do I add the cooked chicken to the pan?
Add the cubed chicken after scrambling the eggs and heating the remaining olive oil.
How long do you stir-fry the rice and soy sauce?
Stir-fry the rice and soy sauce with the other ingredients for about 4 minutes.
When are the eggs returned to the pan?
The scrambled eggs are gently folded in during the final minute of cooking.
What can I serve as a side for this meal?
It is recommended to serve the fried rice with your favorite fresh salad on the side.
How do I fluff the rice?
Use a fork to gently separate the grains of cooked rice.
Is black pepper included in the ingredients?
Yes, freshly ground black pepper is added to taste at the end of cooking.
Can I use a large sauté pan instead of a wok?
Yes, a wok or a large sauté pan will both work for this recipe.
What makes this dish tropical?
The combination of macadamia nuts and mandarin oranges provides a distinct tropical flavor profile.
How much soy sauce is needed?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of reduced sodium soy sauce.
How long does it take to brown the chicken?
Sauté the cubed chicken for 2-3 minutes until it is lightly browned.
What is the heat setting for cooking the eggs?
Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat before adding the eggs.
Do I add the macadamia nuts at the same time as the oranges?
Yes, stir in the mandarin segments, green onions, and macadamia nuts together.
Should the chicken be seasoned before adding?
The recipe suggests browning the cubed chicken in the pan, and the overall dish is seasoned later with soy sauce and pepper.
What color should the chicken be after sautéing?
The chicken should be lightly browned.
How do I ensure the flavors are well combined?
Stir-fry the entire mixture for several minutes and fold the eggs in at the end to distribute all components evenly.