Spicy Chilli Garlic Fried Rice – Restaurant-Style at Home

Turn your leftover rice into a flavor-packed, restaurant-style meal with this Spicy Chilli Garlic Fried Rice! 🌶️🍚 Garlicky, smoky, and loaded with colorful vegetables, it’s a quick and easy way to elevate a simple staple into a complete, satisfying dish. Perfect for weeknights, lunchboxes, or whenever you crave that Indo-Chinese takeout flavor at home.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick & Easy: From prep to plate in just 30 minutes.
• Flavor Explosion: Spicy, garlicky, and slightly smoky – just like your favorite Chinese takeaway.
• Flexible: Use any vegetables or proteins you like – paneer, tofu, chicken, prawns, or sausages.
• Perfect for Leftovers: Cooks beautifully with chilled, day-old rice for firm, separate grains.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Rice

• 2 ½ cups short-grain rice (Jeera Samba works best; about 4 cups cooked)
• Water, for boiling

For the Chilli Garlic Paste

• 5–6 dried red chillies, soaked in hot water
• 8–10 garlic cloves, peeled

For the Stir-Fry

• ¼ cup oil (peanut, canola, or sunflower)
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp minced ginger
• ¼ cup finely chopped onion
• ¼ cup finely chopped carrot
• ¼ cup finely chopped beans
• ¼ cup finely chopped yellow capsicum
• ¼ cup finely chopped red capsicum
• 2 green chillies, finely chopped (optional)
• 3 tbsp homemade chilli garlic paste
• 1 tsp low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp white pepper
• 2 tbsp chopped spring onion greens for garnish

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How to Make Chilli Garlic Fried Rice

Step 1: Prepare the Rice

1. Rinse the rice 2–3 times in room-temperature water to remove excess starch.
2. Boil enough water to fully submerge the rice in a heavy-bottomed pot.
3. Add the rice and cook on medium heat until 95% cooked.
4. Drain and spread on a tray to cool and allow extra moisture to evaporate.

Tip: If using leftover rice, skip this step.

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Step 2: Make the Chilli Garlic Paste

1. Soak dried red chillies in hot water for 10 minutes until soft.
2. Drain and blend with garlic cloves into a slightly coarse paste.

Tip: For a shortcut, store-bought Schezwan sauce or chutney works too.

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Step 3: Stir-Fry the Veggies

1. Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat.
2. Add the chilli garlic paste and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes.
3. Add ginger, minced garlic, green chillies, and onions. Sauté for another minute.
4. Toss in carrots, beans, and bell peppers. Stir-fry on high for 3–4 minutes.

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Step 4: Combine Rice and Seasonings

1. Add the cooked rice to the wok.
2. Season with soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, salt, and white pepper.
3. Toss everything on high heat for 2–3 minutes until well combined and heated through.
4. Garnish with chopped spring onions and serve immediately.

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Tips for the Best Chilli Garlic Fried Rice

• Use cold rice: Day-old rice works best for separate grains.
• Adjust spice levels: Reduce green chillies or skip cayenne for a milder version.
• Protein add-ins: Paneer, tofu, chicken, prawns, or sausages all work perfectly.
• Prep ahead: Chop vegetables and make the chilli garlic paste in advance for a fast stir-fry.

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Serving Suggestions

Pair this fried rice with:

• Chilli Chicken Dry or Szechuan Chicken
• Veg Manchurian or Chilli Paneer
• Simple spring rolls for a full Indo-Chinese feast

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Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6

This Spicy Chilli Garlic Fried Rice is smoky, garlicky, and full of vegetables—your leftover rice has never tasted this good!