A delicious meal Arroz Chaufa is a version of Peruvian Fried rice. It is a perfect combination of colorful vegetables, seasoning, soya sauce, eggs, meat, and spices that make the dish more flavorful. It is easy to make, and with few essential ingredients, you will get a fantastic fusion of Peruvian and Chinese cuisine dish with zesty flavor and texture.
What is the origin of Arroz Chaufa de Pollo (Peruvian Fried Rice)?
If I talk about the origin of Arroz Chaufa, you will be surprised to know that it is a Chinese dish. In the 19 century, a massive wave of Chinese immigrants settled in Peru. They also come with a traditional way of making stir fry rice with the addition of their special sauce. It is eventually blended with Peruvian ingredients with a combination of leftover white rice.
With the variety of vegetables and meat, this dish become popular quickly and gets prominent place in different restaurants.
It is a delicious food, showcasing Peru’s rich history and culinary diversity.
As Arroz Chaufa is a combination of Chinese and Peruvian cuisine, also referred as Chifa.
Ingredients required
Rice: I used white Jasmine rice for this recipe. There are many variations that you can consider while making Arroz Chaufa. You can use day-old leftover rice as it is dried and doesn’t clump together while stir-frying. You can also use brown rice, which is also healthier. If you are using fresh rice, dry the rice entirely and avoid any formation of clumps.
Soya sauce is the main ingredient that makes the sauce flavourful and delicious. Try to add low sodium according to your needs. If you don’t like more salt or want your gluten-free dish, add Tamari, which is less salty than the traditional sauce. If you are using Tamari, adjust the seasoning and salt according to your need and choice.
Toasted Sesame oil: To enhance a dish’s aroma, try to use toasted sesame oil as it is brown and makes the dish zestier. You can quickly identify the toasted sesame oil because of its brown color while purchasing it from the store.
Chicken: I used boneless chicken as a protein source. It adds incredible flavor and texture to the dish. Here you can also use some variations of meat i.e you can also consider adding chicken thighs, breasts, or leftovers. You can also consider adding shrimp, hotdogs, or beef, according to your choice. The flavor and taste will remain the same.
Eggs: Beaten eggs will add richness and texture to the fried rice. Spread all the eggs in a pan and let cook on one side. After that, change the side and beat the eggs evenly to chop them.
Onion and Garlic: These are used for an aromatic flavor. Chop well and saute it before adding other ingredients. It will add more flavor and depth to the dish.
Salt and pepper: Little pinch of it will enhance the flavor of the Peruvian Fried rice. You can adjust the amount according to your taste and preference.
How to Make Arroz Chaufa Step by Step?
This Chinese fried rice or Chifa are easy-to-make dishe that you can prepare with some essential ingredients. Prepare all the ingredients before starting to cook. It will make the process fast and easy.
- Take the large skillet and heat over high heat. Heat the oil and spread throughout the pan.
- Add chopped onions and garlic and stir fry for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Cut the chicken into small pieces and add to the pan. Fry well until the chicken is cooked through and turn slightly brown.
- Now add white rice to the mixture and stir it to combine well.
- Drizzle soya sauce and scrambled eggs and toss for 3 to 5 minutes so that all the material mixed up thoroughly.
- Season with salt and pepper and adjust according to your taste.
- Serve hot with your favorite Peruvian condiments like salsa criolla or aji Verde.
- Enjoy your delicious homemade Arroz Chaufa!
Additional Tips for Arroz Chaufa
Use day-old rice: This is essential because the rice will cook more evenly and have a more excellent texture if you use rice sitting out for a day.
Cook the rice beforehand: Try to cook and cool the rice before proceeding. For the best Arroz Chaufa, use cold rice.
Cut the chicken into small pieces: Cutting it into tiny, bite-sized pieces will help it cook more rapidly and uniformly.
Don’t overcrowd the pan: Overcrowding the skillet will cause the ingredients to steam instead of stir-fry, resulting in mushy and soggy rice.
Stir-fry each ingredient separately: For the best results, sauté each item in a different stir-fry and combine them with the rice.
Don’t overcook the rice: The rice will get mushy if you overcook it. Heat the rice until it is hot but still somewhat crunchy.
Add vegetables for extra flavor and nutrition: To boost the meal’s nutritional value and depth of flavor, try throwing in some carrots, peas, bell peppers, and green onions.
Garnish with fresh herbs and lime wedges: You can improve the taste and freshness of the food by adding some chopped cilantro or green onions and a dash of lime juice.
How to store Leftovers?
Once the Arroz Chaufa has cooled to room temperature, put it in an airtight container. Refrigerate and use within two to three days. To avoid the rice from drying out, reheat it in the microwave or on the stove with a small amount of water. You should throw away any food at room temperature for over two hours.
What are the Meat variations of this recipe?
Arroz Chaufa is a flexible dish that you may prepare with many different kinds of meat. The most common core in the classic dish is chicken, but pig, beef, and shrimp are acceptable substitutes. Substitute tofu or a variety of veggies for the meat for a meatless option. All variations are possible; you can tailor the dish to your tastes.
Arroz Chaufa
Ingredients
- 1 tbs toasted sesame oil
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ tsp ground cumin
- pinch granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 red bell pepper
- ½ cup finely diced onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp ginger
- 1 large boneless chicken breast
- 4 cups cooked rice
- 1 cup green onions
- 4 large eggs
Instructions
- Take the large skillet and heat over high heat. Heat the oil and stir throughout the pans.
- Add chopped onions and garlic and stir fry for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Cut the chicken into small pieces and add to the pan. Fry well until the chicken is cooked through and slightly browned.
- Now add white rice to the mixture and stir it to combine well.
- Drizzle soya sauce and scrambled eggs and toss for 3 to 5 minutes so all the material is mixed up thoroughly.
- Season with salt and pepper and adjust according to your taste.
- Serve hot with your favorite Peruvian condiments like salsa criolla or aji Verde. Enjoy your delicious homemade Arroz Chaufa!
