If I have leftover proteins such as chicken or shrimp, you bet I’m cooking up a quick chicken and shrimp fried rice for dinner. Fried rice is a top 10 budget meal for my family and I get smiles all around when I make it!
Tips For Making The Best Chicken and Shrimp Fried Rice Ever!
- Versatile Ingredients: Fried rice is versatile, so you can use various proteins like shrimp, chicken, or even ham. Adjust the ingredients to your preference and what you have on hand.
- Egg: Use one or two scrambled eggs depending on your preference. Eggs add protein and richness to the dish.
- Cold Rice: If possible, use cold cooked rice, preferably from the fridge. Cold rice works better for fried rice as it’s less sticky.
- Choice of Vegetables: You can add various vegetables like diced onion, shredded carrots, frozen peas, or any other veggies you prefer. Frozen peas and carrots mix is a convenient option.
- Soy Sauce: Soy sauce is a key flavor component. Start with a couple of tablespoons and adjust according to your taste.
- Oyster Sauce (Optional): Oyster sauce can be added for extra flavor, but it’s optional. Adjust the quantity to your liking.
- Protein Cooking: When cooking shrimp, be careful not to overcook them. They cook quickly, and overcooked shrimp can become tough and rubbery.
- Steaming Shrimp: Cooking the shrimp in the same pan with the rice helps steam them and prevents overcooking. This method ensures perfectly cooked shrimp.
- Stir-Frying: Stir-fry the ingredients over medium-high heat. Stir-frying quickly cooks the ingredients and helps retain their crispness and flavor.
- Taste Testing: Taste the fried rice as you go and adjust the seasonings (soy sauce, salt, and pepper) to your preference.
- Garnish: Garnish the finished dish with chopped scallions and sesame seeds for added flavor and presentation.
- Vegetarian/Vegan Options: Fried rice is adaptable for various dietary preferences. You can omit meat and eggs for a vegetarian or vegan version.
- Variety of Fried Rice: Experiment with different variations, such as ham and pineapple fried rice or using leftover proteins like turkey or pork.
- Versatility: Fried rice is a great way to use leftovers and create a quick and flavorful meal. Feel free to get creative with your ingredients.
- Useful for Extreme Budget Challenges: Fried rice is budget-friendly and can be made with ingredients you already have on hand.
These tips should help you make a delicious and customized Chicken and Shrimp Fried Rice that suits your taste and available ingredients. Enjoy your homemade fried rice!
For more ways to use what you have check out these videos:
- Discover the Top 10 Secrets to Save Big on Food!
- How to Do a Pantry Challenge
- 5 Recipes for Canned Chicken!
MORE LEFTOVER FRIENDLY RECIPES TO TRY
- Use your leftover chicken in this Mediterranean Chopped Salad Recipe
- Use your leftover burgers to make Big Mac Wraps
- This Chicken Sweet Potato Skillet is another great way to use leftover chicken
Chicken and Shrimp Fried Rice
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Indulge in the delightful fusion of flavors with our Chicken and Shrimp Fried Rice. This savory and satisfying dish combines succulent shrimp, tender chicken, and a medley of fresh vegetables, all wok-fried to perfection. The secret to its deliciousness lies in the blend of soy sauce, oyster sauce (optional), and aromatic spices. Quick and versatile, this fried rice recipe lets you customize it with your favorite ingredients, making it a go-to meal for busy weeknights or a delicious way to repurpose leftovers. Prepare to savor every mouthful of this homemade Asian-inspired delight!
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked white rice (preferably cold)
- 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 pound cooked chicken, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots mix
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2–3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon oyster sauce (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped scallions for garnish
- Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
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Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
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Add the beaten eggs and scramble them until they’re just set. Remove the scrambled eggs from the skillet and set them aside.
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In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the minced garlic and diced onion. Stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent.
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Add the shrimp and diced chicken to the skillet. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes or until the shrimp turns pink and the chicken is heated through.
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Push the meat and vegetables to one side of the skillet, and add the cold, cooked rice to the other side. Break up any clumps of rice and stir-fry it for a few minutes until it’s heated through and slightly crispy.
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Add the frozen peas and carrots mix to the skillet. Stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are cooked and tender.
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Pour the soy sauce (start with 2 tablespoons and adjust to your taste) and oyster sauce (if using) over the rice and stir everything together until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Add the scrambled eggs back into the skillet and stir them into the rice mixture. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to ensure everything is hot.
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Remove from heat and garnish with chopped scallions and sesame seeds, if desired.
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Serve your delicious chicken and shrimp fried rice hot, and enjoy!
Notes
Refrigeration: Allow any leftover fried rice to cool to room temperature. Transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Fried rice can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: To freeze leftover fried rice, make sure it’s completely cooled. Place it in an airtight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Frozen fried rice can be stored for up to 2-3 months.
Reheating: When ready to enjoy, reheat refrigerated fried rice in a microwave-safe dish for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally until heated through. For frozen fried rice, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat as mentioned above.
Caution: Reheated shrimp may become slightly overcooked and lose some of its texture. If you prefer, you can remove the shrimp before refrigerating or freezing and add fresh cooked shrimp when reheating for better texture.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 15
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