This Blackstone Chicken Fried Rice recipe brings all the savory flavors and wonderful convenience of Chinese takeout right to the comfort of your own backyard. It’s a straightforward, cost-effective, and absolutely delicious way to enjoy all of the authentic tastes and textures of this classic dish, prepared in just minutes thanks to your Blackstone griddle.
The versatility of your Blackstone is on full display in this recipe. Because of its high efficiency and even heat distribution, it makes preparing this meal easier than ever, delivering succulent chicken, vibrant vegetables, and perfectly seasoned rice. The griddle is perfect for stir-frying rice, ensuring each and every grain is cooked to crispy perfection. And because of its ease, this recipe might just make you reconsider your takeout habits altogether.
In addition to the directions, I’ve also included variations to boost the flavor even further. Whether your preference leans towards the milder side or you enjoy a bit of kick, there’s an option for you to fine-tune this recipe to your liking. Plus, there are plenty of handy tips and tricks to help streamline the cooking process, making this Blackstone Chicken Fried Rice not only delicious, but also incredibly easy to prepare.
Why You Should Try This Recipe
- Very simple ingredients: This recipe keeps things simple with a short list of ingredients that are easy to find. It’s the perfect combination for creating a flavorful dish that fits into any meal plan and is perfect for both busy weeknights and special occasions.
- Smart use of leftovers: Got leftover white rice? This chicken fried rice recipe is an excellent way to turn those leftovers into a delicious new meal. It’s perfect for using up what you have to avoid wasting food.
- Restaurant Quality Results: Using your Blackstone, you can achieve restaurant-quality fried rice right at home. With its high heat and even cooking surface, you get the perfect sear on your chicken and a light crispiness on your rice, adding a touch of gourmet to an everyday recipe.
Ingredients in Blackstone Chicken Fried Rice
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs: Thighs are fattier than chicken breasts, making them a juicier, much more flavorful option for this recipe. However, if you are watching your caloric intake, you can absolutely swap it out with chicken breasts. Dice them raw into 1-inch pieces before cooking.
- 2 cups cooked white rice: Rice is the base of this recipe so you’ll definitely want to make sure you get it right. Day-old rice is preferred because it’s less sticky and fries more easily.
- ½ cup yellow onion: Adds a rich, caramelized sweetness to the dish. Dice it finely so it cooks quickly and evenly.
- 1 stalk green onions: Delivers a mild, slightly sweet finishing flavor and an added pop of color.
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder: Offering a milder, but more evenly distributed garlic taste compared to fresh, this convenient powder is perfect for seasoning the chicken.
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger: Adds a warm, slightly spicy note that pairs wonderfully with the other seasonings.
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce: Essential for adding the rich and bright, umami flavor that is characteristic of traditional fried rice. It’s both sweet and savory, bringing the entire dish to life.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Salt will help to boost the natural flavors of the chicken thighs.
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper: Introduces a subtle heat to the chicken, further enhancing its seasoning.
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots: These vegetables are staples in chicken fried rice. Opt for a pre-mixed, frozen blend for convenience and to ensure you have a balanced mix. Buying frozen also helps avoid food waste.
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten: These eggs will be scrambled on your Blackstone to add flavor and texture to your dish right before serving.
Instructions for Making Chicken Fried Rice on the Blackstone
1. Season the Chicken: Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and ginger. Stir to evenly coat each piece of chicken.
2. Preheat and Oil the Blackstone, then Cook the Chicken: Heat the Blackstone griddle to medium-high heat and lightly coat it with vegetable oil. Place the chicken on the griddle and cook, flipping and stirring for about 5 minutes until no pink remains. Cook until the chicken is browned with some crispy edges. Once done, establish a warm holding area separate from the hot, active cooking area. Move the cooked chicken to the holding area of the griddle to keep it warm.
3. Sauté the Onions: Add the onion to the hot cooking area. Sauté until translucent and fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Then, move the onion next to the chicken in the warm holding area.
4. Heat the Peas and Carrots: Add the peas and carrots to the hot cooking area of the griddle. Cook them until heated through, stirring occasionally. Once softened, mix the peas and carrots with the sautéed onions and scrape the mixture over to the warm holding area.
5. Cook the Rice: Place the day-old rice on the griddle. Use the spatula to break the rice apart and stir. Let it cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, until it’s heated through.
6. Combine Everything: Bring the chicken, onion, peas, and carrots back to the center and mix them with the rice until well combined.
7. Add the Soy Sauce: Drizzle soy sauce over the entire mixture. Fold the soy sauce into the rice mixture and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes.
8. Cook the Eggs: Make a well in the center of your rice mixture and pour in the beaten eggs. Allow them to set slightly, then gently scramble them in the center.
9. Fold the Eggs into the Rice: Once the eggs are cooked and firm, fold them into the rice mixture, making sure they are evenly distributed.
10. Garnish and Serve: Finish by garnishing the chicken fried rice with chopped green onions. Serve hot, straight from the griddle for a delicious, homemade meal.
Variations and Substitutions
Protein Options: While chicken is a classic choice for this recipe, don’t be afraid to experiment with other flavors by switching up the protein. Try shrimp to add a seafood twist, beef for a heartier option, or tofu for vegetarian fried rice. Different proteins will call for different cooking times, so just be sure to keep a close eye on your Blackstone when adjusting the recipe.
Rice Alternatives: You can easily swap out traditional white rice with whole-grain brown rice or even cauliflower rice for a low carb option. Each of these ingredients has its own unique flavor profile, but all of them are delicious options for your fried rice.
Pump up the Veggies: In addition to peas and carrots, try adding diced bell peppers, broccoli, or even mushrooms. Adding vegetables gives your chicken fried rice a boost of nutrients, a splash of color and an extra crunch.
Spice It Up: For an added kick, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes while cooking. Additionally, if you like your food extra spicy, serve your chicken fried rice with a side of Sriracha or hot chili oil.
Garnish Varieties: You can substitute the green onions with fresh cilantro for a different fresh finish. You could also try a sprinkle of peanuts to give the dish another complementary flavor as well as some added crunch.
Tips and Tricks for Making Blackstone Chicken Fried Rice
Prep Ingredients in Advance: Having all your ingredients chopped and ready to go makes for a smoother cooking process. This is particularly important for stir-fry dishes where the cooking happens very quickly.
Cook Ingredients Sequentially: For the fullest flavor, cook each component of the chicken fried rice separately. This method prevents overcrowding and allows each ingredient to cook properly.
Use Day-Old Rice: Freshly cooked rice can make your fried rice mushy. Instead, use rice that has been refrigerated overnight. It’s drier and will crisp up on the Blackstone, giving your fried rice the perfect texture.
Don’t Overcrowd the Griddle: Give each ingredient space to cook. Overcrowding leads to steaming rather than frying, which can affect the texture of your fried rice. Depending on the size of your Blackstone, you may need to cook in batches.
Related Recipes
Blackstone Chicken Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, diced into 1" cubes
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 stalk green onions, sliced on the bias
Instructions
- Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and ginger. Stir to evenly coat each piece of chicken.
- Heat the Blackstone griddle to medium-high heat and lightly coat it with vegetable oil. Place the chicken on the griddle and cook, flipping and stirring for about 5 minutes until no pink remains. Cook until the chicken is browned with some crispy edges. Once done, establish a warm holding area separate from the hot, active cooking area. Move the cooked chicken to the holding area of the griddle to keep it warm.
- Add the onion to the hot cooking area. Sauté until translucent and fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Then, move the onion next to the chicken in the warm holding area.
- Add the peas and carrots to the hot cooking area of the griddle. Cook them until heated through, stirring occasionally. Once softened, mix the peas and carrots with the sautéed onions and scrape the mixture over to the warm holding area.
- Place the day-old rice on the griddle. Use the spatula to break the rice apart and stir. Let it cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, until it's heated through.
- Bring the chicken, onion, peas, and carrots back to the center and mix them with the rice until well combined.
- Drizzle soy sauce over the entire mixture. Fold the soy sauce into the rice mixture and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes.
- Make a well in the center of your rice mixture and pour in the beaten eggs. Allow them to set slightly, then gently scramble them in the center.
- Once the eggs are cooked and firm, fold them into the rice mixture, making sure they are evenly distributed.
- Finish by garnishing the chicken fried rice with chopped green onions. Serve hot, straight from the griddle for a delicious, homemade meal.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
