Savory Stir-Fried Basmati Rice with Chicken and Vegetables
This vibrant and flavorful stir-fried basmati rice dish brings together tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and savory seasonings in a harmonious blend. Inspired by a cherished family recipe, this dish is not only simple to prepare but also incredibly satisfying. Each mouthful offers a delightful crunch from the veggies and a comforting heartiness from the chicken, making it a perfect accompaniment to spicy dishes like Chinese chili chicken. Perfect for lunch or as a snack, it’s sure to become a favorite in your household!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Basmati rice
3 cups (Washed and soaked for 30 minutes)
Salt
3 teaspoons (For par boiling rice and additional seasoning)
Chicken breast
1 cup (Diced into small pieces)
Carrot
1 cup (Finely diced)
French beans
1 cup (Finely sliced)
Green pepper
1 (Finely diced)
Red pepper
1 (Finely diced)
Green spring onion
1/2 cup (Finely chopped)
Spring onions
4 (Chopped separately)
Soy sauce
2 tablespoons (For seasoning)
Black pepper
1 teaspoon (For seasoning)
Vegetable oil
2 1/2 tablespoons (For stir-frying)
Chicken stock cube
1 (Melted in 1/4 cup water)
Water
1/4 cup (For dissolving stock cube)
Egg
1 (Scrambled for serving)
Instructions
1
1. Wash the basmati rice thoroughly and soak it in water for 30 minutes.
2
2. In a large pot, bring water to a boil, add 3 teaspoons of salt, and parboil the soaked rice until it's about 70% cooked. Drain the rice and spread it out on a clean towel to allow it to dry and the grains to separate.
3
3. Heat 2 1/2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large wok over medium-high heat.
4
4. Add the finely chopped spring onions, diced carrots, sliced beans, red and green peppers, and diced chicken to the wok. Stir-fry for about 1-2 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are vibrant.
5
5. Pour in the soy sauce, black pepper, and additional salt to taste (keeping in mind the saltiness from the soy sauce and stock cube).
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6. Add the melted chicken stock cube mixed with water and stir well to combine all the ingredients.
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7. Gently fold the cooled rice into the mixture in the wok, being careful not to break the rice grains. Mix with a light hand.
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8. Sprinkle the chopped green spring onions over the top and reduce the heat to low. Cover the wok and allow the rice to steam for an additional 10 minutes until fully cooked and the flavors meld.
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9. Meanwhile, scramble one egg in a separate pan and prepare it for serving.
10
10. Serve the fried rice hot, topped with the scrambled egg for added flavor and texture.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Stir-Fried Basmati Rice with Chicken and Vegetables?
It is a flavorful stir-fried dish combining tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and savory seasonings like soy sauce and chicken stock.
How much Basmati rice is needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires 3 cups of Basmati rice.
How long should I soak the Basmati rice?
You should wash and soak the rice in water for 30 minutes before cooking.
What type of chicken is used in this dish?
The recipe uses 1 cup of chicken breast diced into small pieces.
Which vegetables are included in the stir-fry?
It includes 1 cup of carrots, 1 cup of french beans, one green pepper, one red pepper, and spring onions.
How do I prepare the rice before adding it to the wok?
Parboil the soaked rice in salted water until it is 70% cooked, then drain and spread it on a clean towel to dry.
What seasonings are used to flavor the rice?
The dish is seasoned with soy sauce, black pepper, salt, and a melted chicken stock cube.
How much soy sauce should I use?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of soy sauce.
What kind of oil is used for stir-frying?
The recipe uses 2 1/2 tablespoons of vegetable oil for stir-frying in a large wok.
How is the egg prepared for this recipe?
One egg is scrambled in a separate pan and served as a topping for the fried rice.
How long does the rice need to steam at the end?
Once the wok is covered, the rice should steam on low heat for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Is this fried rice dish spicy?
No, it is a savory dish that uses black pepper and soy sauce for flavor rather than chili heat.
Can I use both red and green peppers?
Yes, the recipe specifically uses one finely diced green pepper and one finely diced red pepper for color and flavor.
What are some serving suggestions for this rice?
It is an excellent accompaniment to spicy dishes like Chinese chili chicken or can be enjoyed on its own.
Is this recipe suitable for lunch or snacks?
Yes, it is described as a perfect option for a satisfying lunch or a hearty snack.
How many spring onions are needed?
The recipe requires 4 chopped spring onions and an additional 1/2 cup of finely chopped green spring onions for the garnish.
How is the chicken stock prepared?
Melt one chicken stock cube in 1/4 cup of water before adding it to the wok.
What should the texture of the vegetables be?
The vegetables should be stir-fried until they are vibrant and offer a delightful crunch in every mouthful.
Why do I need to spread the rice on a towel after draining?
Spreading the parboiled rice on a towel helps the grains dry and stay separate during the stir-frying process.
How should I mix the rice into the chicken and vegetable mixture?
Fold the cooled rice in gently with a light hand to ensure the grains do not break.
How much salt is used for parboiling the rice?
Add 3 teaspoons of salt to the boiling water when parboiling the Basmati rice.
What style of cuisine inspired this recipe?
This is a Chinese-inspired fried rice dish.
What heat setting is used for stir-frying the ingredients?
Use medium-high heat for stir-frying the vegetables and chicken in the wok.
How should the carrots be prepared?
The carrots should be finely diced to ensure they cook quickly during the stir-fry.
How do I prepare the french beans?
The french beans should be finely sliced into small pieces.
When are the green spring onions added?
They are sprinkled over the rice just before the final 10-minute steaming step.
How much black pepper is used?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of black pepper.
How long should the chicken and vegetables be stir-fried?
Stir-fry them for approximately 1 to 2 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through.
Can I use different types of rice for this recipe?
While Basmati is recommended for its long grains and texture, you can use other long-grain rice varieties if needed.
Should the rice be hot when I add it to the wok?
The instructions suggest using cooled and dried rice grains to prevent them from becoming mushy.