Shrimp and Chicken Fried Rice

Shrimp and Chicken Fried Rice is a popular dish in Asian cuisine, found in various countries in the region. I love its simplicity, ease of preparation, and the delicious Asian flavor that the right spices give it.

Shrimp and Chicken Fried Rice

This is a story of my personal journey with a beloved Asian dish – fried rice. The basic recipe is a comforting mix of rice and eggs, but it can be transformed by adding vegetables, meat, or seafood. The taste of Shrimp and Chicken Fried Rice was introduced to our home by my partner, who had the opportunity to savor it during his travels in Asia, particularly in China, Indonesia, and Singapore. Since then, this Chinese food has become a cherished part of our home. I’ve experimented with various versions, from a simple oyster sauce to a rich hoisin sauce. Now, I’m thrilled to share my favorite version of Fried Rice with you.

I like this recipe because it uses up leftover cooked rice. I don’t know about you, but I have never cooked rice so perfectly that I have any leftovers for the next day.

How to choose the best ingredients for Shrimp and Chicken Fried Rice

Fresh Shrimp or Cooked Shrimp: The best fresh shrimp are large shrimp, whether cooked or fresh. You simply won’t be able to fry fresh chicken separately.

Skinless Chicken Breast choose the best quality you have available. It’s good if it’s not frozen because it will have even more water.

Large Eggs are good quality because eggs in this dish add flavor.

Onion is best if it’s brown onion; white is more spicy, and red can change the color of the dish. I’ve never made it. If you do, share your impressions.

Vegetables: I chose my favorite mix, which consists of carrots, corn, green peas, and green beans. I think the essential vegetables you can use are carrots and peas. I chose frozen vegetables, but you can also use fresh vegetables. The choice is yours. Choose what you like. Only the vegetables should be in small pieces to fry quickly and evenly in the pan. You can also add bean sprouts, bell peppers, or minced garlic for more flavor and vibrant colors. Another interesting option is to add bok choy as another vegetable. I love this dish for its culinary possibilities. Another interesting option for much flavor is to add bok choy as another vegetable. I love this dish for its culinary possibilities where you can make your own version of perfect fried rice from Chinese restaurants.

White Rice: We have many types od rice but Basmati or jasmine rice will be ideal. However, you can also use white, wild, or brown rice. However, you have to expect the taste and consistency to differ. Originally, basmati rice was most often used interchangeably with jasmine rice.

Soya Sauce: I always choose the most natural soy sauce without additives. Dark soy sauce is best, but you can use light soy sauce.

Sesame Oil: is a must-have if you are not allergic to sesame. It gives a specific nutty flavor and combines perfectly with other sauces, giving the dish an oriental flavor.

Housing Sauce: This was originally a fried rice recipe. In most recipes, you add the sauce itself and do not mix it with oyster sauce. However, this sauce is too sweet, and I like to break its taste with oyster sauce.

Oyster Sauce is salty and distinct in taste. It has a similar taste to hoisin sauce, but I would not use them interchangeably in dishes. Both sauces complement each other perfectly.

Vegetable oil is very important because it has a high smoke point. Choosing an oil with a neutral taste and smell, like canola oil, is also important.

Spring Onion is also the finishing touch to this dish. It adds the perfect color and sharp taste because we add fresh spring onion.

Tips and tricks

• If you don’t have shrimp, add twice as many chicken breasts. If you have shrimp but no chicken breasts, add a double portion.

• If too much juice is released from frying chicken breasts, simply drain the sauce. You can also remove it by dipping kitchen towels in the pan (white ones without any inscriptions or additives, touching them so that they only absorb the sauce). I recommend this procedure only if you are pressed for time; otherwise, simply evaporate the sauce in the pan by frying.

• If you like garlic, adding a clove to the frying stage will not affect the result.

• I know that most culinary experts will recommend not frying shrimp and chicken together, but if you have cooked shrimp and you don’t intend to evaporate the sauce, the frying time for chicken and shrimp is the same, and the shrimp won’t taste rubbery.

• You can add frozen shrimp, but you must fry them separately.

• At the time of adding soy sauce and sesame oil, add chicken and shrimp together.

• To give the rice color, add saffron or a pinch of turmeric for a cheaper version.

Step-by-Step Shrimp and Chicken Fried Rice

Shrimp and chicken fried rice is an easy weeknight meal that the whole family can enjoy, even the kids!

If we have cooked rice, we can safely move on to the next part of the recipe. The best will be cold leftover rice from yesterday. 

If the rice is still cooking, first cook the rice until fluffy (I will tell you that it is best to rinse the rice well under running water and cook it in the proportion of one part rice to two parts water. Cook the rice covered)

Step 1 In a small bowl, beat the eggs to make perfect scrambled eggs. Then, fry the beaten eggs for scrambled eggs on the hot pan. I like to beat the eggs first so that the white combines with the yolk. You can prepare your own version of scrambled eggs. It is important that the yolk is hardened enough so that there is no fresh yolk.

Step 2 In the next stage, we take on the next proteins in this recipe: chicken and shrimp. I dry the chicken and shrimp with a paper towel so that there is as little water as possible; this definitely extends the frying time.

Step 3 In the meantime, combine the soy sauce and sesame oil in a bowl.

Step 4 Once you have fried the chicken and shrimp, I will do it together, adding the soy sauce and sesame oil. Fry for at least 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and our proteins turn light brown.

Step 5 Remove the chicken and shrimp from the pan to a bowl and start on the vegetables.

Step 6 Finely chop the onion into small cubes.

Step 7 Pour about 1-2 tablespoons of oil into the large pan and fry the onion until golden brown. Don’t worry if the onion takes on a color after frying the chicken and shrimp; nothing happens.

Step 8 Once the onion is soft, add the frozen vegetables and stir constantly to fry them gently. This takes about 5-6 minutes, stirring constantly.

Step 8 Now, we will complete our dish: add rice and fry for about 2 minutes; add scrambled eggs and mix thoroughly. You can try this in the meantime, but you must be careful because it may disappear before the whole dish is ready.

Step 9 Add shrimp and chicken (don’t snack! They’re so good, ugh!)

Step 10 Once we have practically everything added, pour the mixture of sauces housing and oyster – I personally like this combination because it adds an individual flavor to the dish.

Step 11 Mix everything thoroughly, season with salt and pepper if our taste requires it. Sprinkle with chopped green onion.

Enjoy!

How to store Fried Rice

Fried rice can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-3 days. This time guarantees that the dish will retain its freshness and taste. However, I do not recommend storing fried rice with shrimp because it loses its taste and consistency when reheated.

Sides To Serve Fried Rice

For a balanced meal, you can serve this great fried rice with egg rolls, stir-fried vegetables, or Asian slaw. For more ideas, see the side dish recommendations. You can also sprinkle the dish with radish or sunflower sprouts. However, Shrimp and Chicken Fried Rice is a complete meal with all the necessary nutrients.

Other ideas for quick dishes with chicken as the main ingredient.

Chicken Alfredo Linguine A traditional Italian version of creamy paste. You can make it in just 15 minutes!

Old Delhi – Style Curry Chicken This recipe takes time, but I’m telling you, it’s worth trying this flavor!

Air Fryer Chicken Breast: This is a quick and easy recipe for juicy chicken breasts in the Air Fryer!

Herbs Juicy Chicken Roasted in Salt This method allows you to enjoy juicy, whole-roasted chicken. It’s a perfect recipe not only for everyday use but also for the holiday table.

Chicken ala King is the perfect chicken stew. You can use leftover chicken from the previous day to prepare this dish.

Chicken Fricassee this is a French stew with chicken parts. Perfect comfort food for busy families.

FAQ

What is the best way to prepare fried rice?

For this dish, you will need a large pan that will allow you to stir the food freely while frying. A large wok will be best, but a fairly deep pan will also work if you don’t have a large one.

Can I use frozen shrimp and chicken?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp and chicken. Ensure they are fully thawed and patted dry before cooking to avoid excess moisture.

Can I make it vegetarian?

Yes, you can. Swap the shrimp and chicken for tofu or another meat substitute for vegetarians. 

Can I prep shrimp and chicken fried rice for meal prep?

My answer is yes and no. I do not recommend reheating shrimp because they lose their flavor. If you make the version with chicken, you can successfully store it in the refrigerator for 3 days. 

Is it gluten-free?

Soy sauce often contains gluten, so if you’re looking for a gluten-free option, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative.

Can I make the dish spicy?

Of course, you can add fresh chili to vegetables or use powdered chili. This dish is customizable to your taste buds. Chicken and shrimp taste great in mild and hot versions.

Can I use orzo instead of rice?

Of course, you can. It would be best to prepare it first according to the information on the packaging.