Authentic Yangzhou Fried Rice Recipe
A Rich Flavor of Yangzhou Fried Rice to Enjoy at Home
Introducing a classic Yangzhou-style fried rice topped with tender chicken thigh and crispy bean sprouts. Elevate your meal with this impressive dish made right in your kitchen!
Main Fried Rice Ingredients
- 200g chicken thigh meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 200g bean sprouts, washed and drained
- 1 large egg
- 2 bowls of warm cooked rice
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Chicken Marinade
- 1 Tbsp chili sauce
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Shaoxing wine (or ginger wine)
- Pinch of black pepper
Vegetables for Stir-frying Rice
- 1/4 stalk green onion, finely julienned
- 2 Tbsp dried shiitake mushrooms (or fresh shiitake mushrooms), finely minced
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/4 carrot, very finely diced
- 1 Tbsp chili sauce
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Shaoxing wine (or ginger wine)
- Pinch of black pepper
Vegetables for Stir-frying Rice
- 1/4 stalk green onion, finely julienned
- 2 Tbsp dried shiitake mushrooms (or fresh shiitake mushrooms), finely minced
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/4 carrot, very finely diced
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, cut the chicken thigh meat into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp chili sauce, 1 Tbsp Shaoxing wine (or ginger wine), and a pinch of black pepper. Mix well and let it marinate for at least 20 minutes to allow the flavors to deeply infuse the chicken.
Step 2
If using dried shiitake mushrooms, soak them in lukewarm water for about 30 minutes until fully rehydrated. Once softened, squeeze out excess water and finely mince them. If you are using fresh shiitake mushrooms, you can mince them directly without soaking. The shiitake mushrooms will add a wonderful depth of flavor to the fried rice.
Step 3
Heat a wok or frying pan over medium-high heat with a little cooking oil. Add the marinated chicken thigh meat and stir-fry until evenly cooked through. Continue stir-frying until the chicken is golden brown on the surface.
Step 4
When the chicken is almost cooked, add the thoroughly washed and drained bean sprouts to the pan. Stir-fry them with the chicken. The cooking time for the bean sprouts depends on your preference for crispiness. For a crunchy texture, stir-fry for just a minute or two. If you prefer them softer, especially for children, cook them a bit longer until tender.
Step 5
Now, let’s stir-fry the vegetables for the fried rice. Heat another pan over medium heat with cooking oil. Add the minced garlic and sauté gently until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Be careful not to burn the garlic; a gentle aroma is what you’re aiming for.
Step 6
Once the garlic is fragrant, add the finely diced carrots to the pan. Stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until the carrots become slightly translucent and tender. The natural sweetness of the carrots will enhance the overall flavor of the fried rice.
Step 7
When the carrots are partially cooked, add the squeezed and minced shiitake mushrooms. Stir-fry for another minute, allowing the aromatic flavors of the mushrooms to meld with the other vegetables.
Step 8
Finally, add the julienned green onions to the pan and toss everything together lightly. The refreshing aroma of the green onions will add a pleasant lift to the fried rice.
Step 9
Push the sautéed vegetables to one side of the pan. Add a little more cooking oil to the empty space and crack the egg into it. Stir the egg quickly with chopsticks to scramble it. Don’t overcook it; aim for a slightly soft scramble that will add creaminess to the rice.
Step 10
Gently mix the scrambled egg with the vegetables. Then, add the two bowls of warm cooked rice to the pan. Use a spatula to break up any clumps of rice and gently stir-fry, ensuring the rice is well combined with the vegetables and egg.
Step 11
Once the rice is evenly mixed, season with a pinch of salt and black pepper to your taste. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed, being careful not to make it too salty. Continue to stir-fry until the rice is evenly coated and seasoned.
Step 12
When the fried rice is cooked, turn off the heat. Drizzle in 1 Tbsp of sesame oil and give it a final toss to distribute the nutty aroma evenly throughout the rice.
Step 13
Serve the delicious fried rice onto plates. Top generously with the stir-fried chicken thigh and bean sprouts mixture prepared earlier. Your magnificent Yangzhou Fried Rice is ready to be enjoyed!
