A fried rice recipe that will turn leftovers into a favorite meal! Some of my favorite dishes come from leftovers. My potato pancakes, roast beef hash, and other recipes start with leftovers just like my fried rice. It is one of my favorite dishes, so when making rice for something else, I always make extra to ensure I have leftovers. (And if you have leftover cooked meat, this is a great recipe for that as well). The dish isn’t your typical fried rice. I use bacon and then cook everything in the drippings, giving the rice a smoky flavor. I use chicken, but you can also use ham, shrimp, or pork, or if you simply want a hearty side dish, you can omit this altogether. My fried rice is a hearty and filling meal that all comes together in one pan, making clean-up a breeze. It is one of my all-time favorites and a wonderful way to enjoy leftovers.
Belle’s Best Fried Rice
3 strips bacon
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 2-inch chunks
1 cup chopped onion
2 cups sliced mushrooms
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
3 cups cooked, chilled rice
1 cup frozen peas and carrots
2 eggs, beaten
2-3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 cup pineapple tidbits (optional)
In a large frypan, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove from the pan and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. In the same pan, add the sesame oil and turn the heat to medium-high. Fry the chicken chunks until golden brown on all sides and no pink remains. Remove the chicken from the pan. Add the onion and mushrooms to the pan and cook until tender. Add the rice and continue to cook until heated through. Mix in the peas and carrots and return the chicken and bacon to the pan. Mix everything and cook until heated through. Push everything to the side of the pan, leaving a space. Add the eggs and cook without mixing them in for about a minute. Mix them into the rice mixture and cook for another couple of minutes. Sprinkle the soy sauce a tablespoon at a time and mix in. Taste and then add another tablespoon until you have enough. Don’t put it all in at once, or it may be too salty. Add the pineapple if using, and mix again. Serve immediately.
