Chicken Fried Rice On Blackstone

This hearty chicken fried rice prepared on a Blackstone griddle has transformed my weeknight dinner routine with its restaurant-quality flavor and minimal cleanup. The sizzling hot surface creates the perfect texture that's impossible to achieve in a regular pan, delivering that authentic Asian restaurant experience right in your backyard.

I discovered this technique during a summer cookout when we wanted something more exciting than burgers and hot dogs. The moment everyone gathered around the griddle watching the ingredients transform was magical, and now this has become our Friday night tradition regardless of season.

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts diced into small cubes offer lean protein and absorb flavors beautifully when marinated
• Uncle Bens Jasmine Rice packages provide the perfect texture without having to plan ahead with leftover rice
• Butter creates that unmistakable restaurant richness look for unsalted so you can control seasoning
• Garlic puree infuses every bite with aromatic flavor fresh is best but store bought works wonderfully too
• Soy sauce delivers that essential umami foundation choose low sodium if watching salt intake
• Roasted sesame oil brings authentic Asian flavor its a finishing oil that shouldnt be substituted
• Eggs create silky ribbons throughout the dish use farm fresh for the richest color and flavor
• Vegetables like carrots peas and green onions add color nutrition and texture cut them uniformly for even cooking

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare The Chicken

Cut chicken breast into uniform small cubes about half-inch size to ensure even cooking. Season generously with sesame oil garlic puree salt and both black and white pepper. This marinade creates juicy flavorful chicken that stands up against the bold flavors in the dish. Let it sit while preparing other ingredients for maximum flavor absorption.

Organize Your Mise En Place

Place all ingredients in small bowls arranged around your griddle. This organization is crucial for the fast cooking process ahead. Keep liquids in squeeze bottles for easy distribution. Have tasting spoons ready to adjust seasoning throughout cooking. This preparation makes the actual cooking process flow smoothly without scrambling for ingredients.

Prepare The Griddle

Start with a thoroughly cleaned Blackstone surface and preheat all burners to low. Apply a thin layer of sesame oil across the entire cooking surface. The wide flat cooking area allows you to create separate cooking zones for different components which is the secret to perfectly textured fried rice. Position all your ingredients and tools within easy reach around the griddle.

Cook The Protein

Place a generous dollop of garlic butter on the left side of the griddle and add the marinated chicken. Spread into a single layer allowing pieces to get good contact with the hot surface. Cook for about 4 minutes tossing occasionally until the exterior develops slight caramelization and interior is just cooked through. The chicken should reach 165°F but remain juicy.

Sauté The Vegetables

In the center zone add more garlic butter and sauté diced onions until they begin to soften. Add carrots and continue cooking for 2 minutes. The vegetables should maintain some texture not become mushy. Incorporate green onions and fresh garlic puree stirring constantly to prevent garlic from burning. The vegetables should be tender crisp with vibrant color.

Fry The Rice

On the right side add sesame oil and garlic butter then spread the cold rice on top. The key is breaking up any clumps while coating each grain with fat. This creates that distinct individual grain texture of restaurant fried rice. Press rice into the griddle occasionally to create some crispy bits that add textural contrast.

Season And Combine

Add soy sauce to all three cooking zones individually adjusting the amount for each component. Start conservatively with about 2 tablespoons total and add more to taste. Once chicken is fully cooked combine all elements and mix thoroughly. Fold in frozen peas allowing residual heat to warm them without overcooking.

Add The Eggs

Create a well in the center of the rice mixture and add butter. Pour beaten eggs into the well and scramble until just set but still slightly wet. Fold the eggs into the rice breaking them into small pieces throughout the dish. This technique distributes the eggs perfectly throughout rather than having large chunks.

Final Seasoning

Taste and adjust seasonings adding more soy sauce garlic butter or salt as needed. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the entire dish and toss to incorporate. This bright acidity balances the rich buttery flavors and brings everything together. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and reserved green onions for presentation and texture.

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The sesame oil is my secret weapon in this recipe. When I first tried making fried rice at home it always lacked that distinctive restaurant flavor until I discovered the magic of toasted sesame oil. Just a few tablespoons transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary reminding me of special family dinners at our favorite hibachi restaurant.

Storage And Reheating

Store leftover fried rice in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors actually improve overnight as they meld together. When reheating add a small splash of water before microwaving covered to restore moisture or better yet reheat on the Blackstone with a touch more butter for crispy edges. Avoid freezing as the texture of the rice can become mealy when thawed.

Perfect Substitutions

This recipe welcomes customization based on what you have available. Swap chicken for thinly sliced steak shrimp or tofu for vegetarian versions. Day old leftover rice works perfectly in place of the packaged rice just make sure its cold from the refrigerator. For vegetables use a frozen Asian vegetable blend to save time or incorporate seasonal produce like asparagus snow peas or bell peppers for variety and color.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this fried rice as a complete meal on its own or pair with egg rolls spring rolls or pot stickers for an Asian feast. For a special touch offer condiments like sriracha chili oil or duck sauce on the side allowing everyone to customize their plate. Present in a large serving bowl family style with extra green onions and sesame seeds scattered on top for visual appeal and a fresh element.

Scaling Tips

This recipe easily scales up for larger gatherings simply maintain the same ratios of ingredients. When cooking for a crowd consider preparing the components in batches to maintain proper griddle temperature and prevent overcrowding. The beauty of the Blackstone is utilizing different heat zones so you can keep finished portions warm on one side while continuing to cook on the other areas of the griddle surface.

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Common Questions

→ What type of rice works best for Blackstone fried rice?

Jasmine or Basmati rice in package bags work great for this dish, but day-old leftover white rice stored in an airtight container is also excellent. Brown rice can be used for added fiber, but it won't achieve the same fluffy consistency you'd expect from restaurant-style fried rice.

→ Can I substitute the protein in this dish?

Yes, you can easily substitute steak or shrimp for the chicken in this fried rice. The cooking technique remains similar, though cooking times may vary slightly depending on your protein choice.

→ Do I need to precook the rice before adding it to the griddle?

Unlike package instructions, this method uses cold, uncooked packaged rice directly on the griddle. If using leftover rice, it should already be cooked and cold from refrigeration, which actually produces better results for fried rice.

→ What temperature should my Blackstone griddle be set to?

Start with all burners on low, which is surprisingly hot enough for most of the cooking. You can increase to medium heat toward the end if you want to achieve some nice searing on the rice kernels.

→ Why add lemon juice at the end?

The final squeeze of lemon juice is a Chinese restaurant trick that adds a pop of acidity to brighten all the flavors. This simple addition helps balance the richness of the butter and umami from the soy sauce.

→ How can I tell if my fried rice needs more seasoning?

Taste frequently throughout the cooking process. If it's not as flavorful as you'd like, it likely needs more salt, soy sauce, or garlic butter. The key to restaurant-quality fried rice is proper seasoning.