Zesty Chicken Fried Rice with Crunchy Peanuts
This delectable Zesty Chicken Fried Rice with Crunchy Peanuts is a delightful fusion of textures and flavors. Combining tender pieces of chicken, vibrant vegetables, and aromatic spices, this dish offers a satisfying meal that finishes with the satisfying crunch of dry-roasted peanuts. Although the recipe features a hint of heat from the crushed red pepper flakes, feel free to adjust the spice level to your preference. Perfect as a quick weeknight dinner or for meal prep, this dish can easily be made with boil-in-bag brown rice for a time-saving option. Enjoy a heart-healthy, delicious meal that's both nutritious and full of flavor.
N/A
Servings
454
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
less-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup (none)
dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon (none)
dark sesame oil
1 teaspoon (none)
crushed red pepper flakes
3/4 teaspoon (none)
canola oil
2 tablespoons (none)
red bell peppers
2 cups (diced)
onion
1 cup (diced)
green onion
1/4 cup (thinly sliced, divided)
fresh ginger
2 tablespoons (peeled and minced)
garlic cloves
2 large (minced)
brown rice
5 cups (cooked and cold)
chicken
2 cups (cooked and diced (about 1 pound))
sliced water chestnuts
1 (8-ounce) can (drained and chopped)
dry-roasted unsalted peanuts
1/3 cup (none)
Instructions
1
In a small bowl, combine the less-sodium soy sauce, dark brown sugar, dark sesame oil, and crushed red pepper flakes. Whisk until well combined and set aside.
2
In a wok or large nonstick skillet, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced red bell peppers, onion, and 2 tablespoons of the green onion. Stir-fry for 3 minutes or until the vegetables become tender.
3
Incorporate the minced ginger and garlic, and stir-fry for an additional minute until fragrant.
4
Add the cold, cooked brown rice, cooked and diced chicken, and chopped water chestnuts to the pan. Stir-fry for 5 minutes, gently mixing to ensure everything is heated through.
5
Pour the soy sauce mixture over the rice and chicken, tossing everything to coat evenly. Continue cooking for 2 minutes, allowing the sauce to soak in.
6
Finally, sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of green onions and the dry-roasted peanuts over the dish, stirring gently to combine. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
2g
Fat
7g
Carbs
3g
Protein
0.8g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this dish?
The dish is called Zesty Chicken Fried Rice with Crunchy Peanuts.
What type of rice is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for cooked and cold brown rice.
Can I use boil-in-bag rice for this meal?
Yes, using boil-in-bag brown rice is a great time-saving option mentioned in the description.
Is this chicken fried rice spicy?
It has a hint of heat from crushed red pepper flakes, though you can adjust the spice level to your preference.
How is the crunch added to this dish?
The crunch comes from dry-roasted unsalted peanuts and chopped water chestnuts.
What ingredients are in the sauce mixture?
The sauce consists of less-sodium soy sauce, dark brown sugar, dark sesame oil, and crushed red pepper flakes.
How should the chicken be prepared before adding it to the pan?
The chicken should be pre-cooked and diced into bite-sized pieces.
What vegetables are used in this fried rice?
The recipe uses diced red bell peppers, onions, and green onions.
What type of oil is best for stir-frying this recipe?
Canola oil is used for the stir-frying process due to its high smoke point.
How much ginger and garlic are needed?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of fresh minced ginger and 2 large minced garlic cloves.
Why is it important to use cold rice?
Using cold, cooked rice prevents the grains from becoming mushy and helps them fry properly in the pan.
When should I add the peanuts?
The peanuts should be sprinkled over the dish at the very end of cooking to maintain their crunch.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
While not explicitly stated as a count, the recipe uses 5 cups of cooked rice and 2 cups of chicken, suggesting a hearty family-sized meal.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is specifically noted as being perfect for quick weeknight dinners or meal prep.
What kind of soy sauce is recommended?
Less-sodium soy sauce is used to keep the salt content lower.
What is the preparation for the water chestnuts?
They should be drained and chopped before being added to the stir-fry.
How long do the vegetables need to stir-fry initially?
The red bell peppers, onion, and part of the green onions should be stir-fried for about 3 minutes.
What equipment is best for cooking this?
A wok or a large nonstick skillet is recommended.
Does the recipe contain any sugar?
Yes, it contains 1 tablespoon of dark brown sugar in the sauce mixture.
How many calories are in this dish?
According to the nutritional information provided, there are 454 calories per serving.
Is this recipe heart-healthy?
Yes, the description identifies it as a heart-healthy, nutritious, and delicious meal.
How much sesame oil is used?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of dark sesame oil for flavor.
How should the green onions be prepared?
They should be thinly sliced and divided into two portions.
When is the ginger and garlic added to the pan?
They are added after the bell peppers and onions have cooked for 3 minutes, then stir-fried for 1 additional minute.
How long is the rice and chicken cooked in the pan?
They are stir-fried together for 5 minutes before the sauce is added.
What type of heat is used for cooking?
The dish is cooked over medium-high heat.
What are the primary tags for this recipe?
The tags include fried rice, chicken, spicy, peanuts, and brown rice.
How much chicken is required?
You will need 2 cups of cooked and diced chicken, which is approximately 1 pound.
Is it okay to use salted peanuts?
The recipe specifically calls for dry-roasted unsalted peanuts.
How long do you cook the dish after adding the sauce?
Continue cooking for 2 minutes after adding the sauce to allow it to soak in.