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Japanese Chicken Cha Han Fried Rice

A quick and satisfying Japanese fried rice made with tender marinated chicken, fluffy sushi rice, crisp vegetables, and savoury soy sauce. Perfect for using up leftover rice and ready in under an hour.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Marinating Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 2 people
Course: Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Japanese
Calories: 470
Ingredients Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Marinade
  • 1 tbsp Japanese soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp sake
  • 1 tbsp mirin
  • 2 tsp caster sugar
For the Fried Rice
  • 185 g boneless chicken thighs diced
  • 1 small carrot diced
  • 2 spring onions finely sliced (reserve some for garnish)
  • 80 g sweetcorn kernels
  • 50 g mangetout finely sliced
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 250 g cooked sushi rice cooled
  • 3 tbsp Japanese soy sauce
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil or peanut oil

Method
 

  1. In a bowl, combine the diced chicken with the Japanese soy sauce, sake, mirin and caster sugar. Mix well and marinate for 15–20 minutes.
  2. Heat the vegetable or peanut oil in a wok over high heat. Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry for about 4 minutes until nearly cooked through.
  3. Add the diced carrot, mangetout, spring onions and sweetcorn. Stir-fry for another 2 minutes until the vegetables are just tender.
  4. Push everything to one side of the wok. Pour the beaten egg into the empty space and gently scramble until just beginning to set.
  5. Add the cooled sushi rice and stir-fry everything together for 1 minute, breaking up any clumps of rice.
  6. Add the Japanese soy sauce and a pinch of salt. Toss well until the rice is evenly coated and heated through.
  7. Garnish with the reserved spring onions and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Cold, day-old sushi rice gives the best texture and prevents the fried rice from becoming sticky.
  • Chicken breast can be substituted for chicken thighs if preferred.
  • Feel free to add peas, mushrooms or diced peppers for extra vegetables.
  • Use peanut oil for a more authentic wok flavour.
  • Adjust the amount of soy sauce to taste depending on the saltiness of your preferred brand.
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