Description
Sizzling BBQ chicken fried rice brings weekend comfort straight to your dinner table with leftover chicken and day-old rice. Packed with smoky flavor and easy weeknight magic, this quick skillet meal turns simple ingredients into a seriously satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
- 2 large eggs
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cup cooked rice
Seasonings and Sauces:
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup Japanese BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Whisk dark brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, dry mustard, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Coat 1 pound diced chicken thoroughly with the spice mixture. Let marinate for 10 minutes at room temperature.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet at medium-high heat (375°F). Sauté seasoned chicken for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
- Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the same skillet. Spread 3 cups day-old rice across the pan. Stir-fry for 3-5 minutes until rice becomes slightly crispy and heated through.
- Create a small clearing in the center of the rice. Crack 2 large eggs into the space. Scramble eggs for 1-2 minutes until just set, then integrate them into the rice.
- Drizzle ½ cup Japanese BBQ sauce over the rice mixture. Stir continuously for 30-60 seconds to help sauce caramelize and evenly coat ingredients.
- Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Toss everything together for 1-2 minutes, allowing flavors to blend and chicken to reheat completely.
- Remove skillet from heat. Serve the BBQ Chicken Fried Rice immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Let the chicken marinate longer for deeper flavor penetration, even up to 30 minutes if refrigerated.
- Use day-old cold rice for the best texture and to prevent mushy fried rice results.
- Choose a tangy BBQ sauce that complements the spice blend for maximum flavor complexity.
- For a gluten-free version, select a certified gluten-free BBQ sauce and ensure your spices are also gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-16 minutes
- Category: Stir-Fried
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 388 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 690 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg