Coconut Fried Rice

Make rice fun and exciting by cooking this easy Coconut Fried Rice -Thengai Sadama! 

I definitely go “coconuts” for this rice. It’s not just rice and coconuts, but it’s also loaded with a fantastic mix of veggies, chicken, and spices. This fried rice is certainly an all-in-one meal for everyone.

There is no surprise that it’s one of the most popular rice recipes in Asia and Africa. You will surely love the fusion of flavors, colors, and aromas. Get ready to experience coconuts like never before.

Relish a filling and hearty meal with rice that’s made better with meat, veggies, and seasoning. You might be surprised at how rice can taste so much richer with the incredible flavor of coconuts!

How to Make Coconut Fried Rice

How “easy” is this easy Coconut Fried Rice? If you find stir-frying easy, then this will be a walk in the park for you. It’s all about cooking and mixing the right order of ingredients for perfectly-cooked food! 

Everything is certainly worth it.

Ingredients

Here’s everything you need to cook this easy Coconut Fried Rice. 

Cooked rice

When it comes to fried rice, I suggest using cooked rice or day-old rise. Since it’s already cooked, it only takes a while to cook with the chicken, vegetables, and coconut. The fluffy texture of the boiled rice will give the dish the best quality. 

My go-to rice is asli basmati because of its long and loose grains. I suggest using day-old rice for the right level of moisture. Frying newly cooked rice can make the dish sticky. 

In fact, it’s also my favorite kind of rice to use for Leftover Fried Rice!

Coconut oil

Stir fry the ingredients in coconut oil to infuse them with a nutty and sweet flavor. Coconut oil is made of pressed coconut meat and usually turns solid at room temperature. You need to heat the oil to melt and use it. 

According to Healthline, coconut oil promotes weight loss. It’s also a good source of energy. Moreover, coconut oil is good for your skin, brain, hair, and teeth! What better way to cook Coconut Fried Rice than with coconut oil, right?

Grated coconut

Intensify the coconut flavor of the rice with grated coconut. Its fine texture makes it easy to stir into the rice. The white color of the coconut also makes it unnoticeable once mixed into the rice. 

Once everything is evenly coated with the grated coconut, the rice toppings will also have a rich nutty taste. As mentioned in an article in Narayana Health, coconuts are low in carbs and loaded with nutrients for overall health.

Mustard seeds

What makes mustard seeds some of the best spices for fried rice? These have a strong, earthy, and bold flavor that you will taste at every spoonful. Mustard seeds are usually used in African, Asian, and even European cuisines. 

According to The Spruce Eats, mustard seeds have different varieties. For instance, black mustard seeds have the most robust taste. On the other hand, brown and white mustard seeds are milder in flavor. 

Scotch bonnet

Give the coconut fried rice a slightly spicy flavor by adding scotch bonnet. Aside from being spicy, it also adds a fruity and citrus touch. It balances the sweetness of the vegetables in the recipe. 

Use just the right amount of scotch bonnet you can handle. It can have up to 350,000 Scoville heat units, spicier than jalapenos. I also used this for other rice recipes like Jollof Rice. 

Green and red bell peppers

Bell peppers in fried rice? Why not? Green bell peppers are unripe ones that are less sweet but slightly bitter. On the other hand, red bell peppers are the sweetest ones because they’re ripe. 

These bell peppers add color, texture, and flavor to the dish. Once fried, they will be crunchy and more fragrant. In fact, you can use them for other fried rice recipes.

Grilled chicken chunks

Don’t throw away your leftover grilled chicken. You can use it as toppings for this easy-fried rice recipe. It’s a good source of protein and flavor for a hearty meal. 

Since the grilled or roasted chicken has been seasoned before grilling, it is already flavorful and savory. Grilled chicken chunks can surely help you make an all-in-one rice dish. 

Cashew nuts

Cashew nuts are optional nuts you can add to give the dish a stronger nutty, and creamy taste. These will also give the dish a crispy and crunchy texture. Believe it or not, it actually goes well with this rice.

They are low in sugar yet packed with fiber. According to Pharm Easy, cashews can improve your heart, vision, brain, and bones. I also use these for Cashew Butter! 

Onion

Don’t skip the onion. It adds a pungent, sweet, and mildly spicy flavor. The onion instantly makes the fried rice tastier. This can also give the rice a more fragrant aroma. 

Moreover, the onion gives the dish a juicy and crunchy quality. It also has lots of antioxidants. An onion can be good for your heart, digestion, brain, and bones. 

Jalapeño pepper

Compared to a scotch bonnet, jalapeño has a grassy, vegetal, and spicy flavor. It is less spicy than scotch bonnets but also turns up the heat in dishes. According to Spice World, jalapeño can have up to 8,000 Scoville heat units!

You can use these peppers for salsa, tacos, quesadillas, and more. They are best grilled or stir-fried to release their delicious flavor. 

Seasoning

There are many herbs and spices you can use for fried rice dishes. In this recipe, I suggest using garlic powder, curry powder, bay leaves, sea salt, chives, mixed herbs, and stock cubes. 

These can bring out a distinct flavor in the rice. They improve the coconut taste while giving the vegetables extra flavor. 

After trying different recipes, these ingredients are my favorite combinations for Coconut Fried Rice. Now, let me show you how easy it is to make it! 

Directions

This is how I cook this easy Coconut Fried Rice:

1. Heat coconut oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat. 
2. Add mustard seeds, bay leaves, chopped scotch bonnet, onion, garlic powder, chives, mixed herbs, curry powder, and stock cube.
3. Toss in the raw cashew nuts.
4. Add the green and red jalapeno peppers, bell peppers, roasted chicken chunks, coriander, and parsley.
5. Then, season as needed. 
6. Add the grated coconut. 
7. Toss in the cooked rice. 
8. Mix until well combined. 

How did your Coconut Fried Rice turn out? It’s the perfect rice recipe to serve for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner. Pair it with hearty dishes for the best meal yet! 

Tips

Cooking rice

Get the best quality of fried rice by cooking the rice properly. 

1. Rinse and drain the rice several times.
2. Combine two parts of water with one part of rice in a pot. 
3. Then, season it with salt. 
4. Let it boil over medium-low heat. 
5. Cook it until the rice absorbs all of the water. 
6. Once cooked, let it sit for about ten minutes. 

Storing cooked rice

Store the cooked rice in a container. Then, place it in the fridge for up to five days. You can also put it in a freezer bag to last for several months. 

Grating coconuts

If you can’t find grated coconut in the grocery store, then you can always make it at home. Here’s how:

1. Locate and poke the soft eye of the coconut. 
2. Then, drain the coconut water and set aside. 
3. Crack the coconut open with a hammer or against a hard surface. 
4. Peel off the coconut husk. 
5. Grate the coconut meat using a grater.

You can also use desiccated coconut instead of freshly grated coconuts.

Storing grated coconuts

You can keep the grated coconut in the fridge for several days or weeks. However, I suggest storing it in the freezer for a few months. Thaw it in the microwave for a minute before use. 

Grilled chicken

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C.
2. Season the chicken with your preferred herbs and spices.
3. Then, line the baking pan with foil. 
4. Bake the marinated chicken until golden brown and crispy. 
5. Let the chicken cool at room temperature before storage.

Storage

All Recipes suggests storing the chicken within two hours. Keep it in the fridge for up to four days and in the freezer for about three months.

Easy Coconut Fried Rice Variations

There are many ways to cook Coconut Fried Rice. Aside from using grated coconuts, you can also cook the rice in coconut milk and add the toppings afterward. 

You are also free to use your preferred rice variety. I prefer asli basmati rice, but you can try using long-grain rice, brown rice, jasmine rice, and more. Cook it beforehand to get the loose and fluffy texture. 

The grilled chicken can be replaced with any leftover beef, chicken, turkey, or fish. Sometimes, I use leftover Roast Chicken or Air Fryer Fried Chicken for a kick of flavor. 

If you want to add more vegetables, then I suggest using carrots, frozen peas, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, mushrooms, scallions, green beans, and more. 

Meanwhile, the seasoning is also customizable. Add oyster sauce, soy sauce, hot sauce, butter, chili flakes, sesame oil, sriracha, and other flavoring agents. 

The best thing about fried rice recipes is that you can be as creative as you want. Use your favorite meat, vegetables, and seasonings to prepare your favorite Easy Coconut Fried Rice version! 

Recommended Tools

• Deep frying pan: Cook the Coconut Fried Recipe in a deep frying pan. 
• Wooden spatula: Stir everything together using a wooden spatula. 
• Knife: Prepare the ingredients with a knife. 

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How to Serve Coconut Fried Rice

When do you usually serve Coconut Fried Rice? 

I love cooking this easy Coconut Fried Rice for breakfast or brunch. Starting the day with a good meal is one of the ways I show my family how much I love them. 

Sometimes, I eat it on its own because it already has rice, chicken, and vegetables. It’s already a hearty meal on its own, but here are other dishes you can serve with this rice:

• Fried Eggs
• Dodo Gizzard Stick Meat
• Smoked Mackerel
• Crispy Chicken Wings

Storage Tips

• At room temperature: It is best to eat the Coconut Fried Rice within two hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the good combination for coconut rice?

The sweet, fruity, and nutty flavor of coconut rice pairs well with seasoned chicken, bell peppers, cashew nuts, and jalapeño peppers. These will give the best balance of flavor for a tasteful meal.

Does coconut rice taste like coconut?

Coconut rice may have a hint of sweet and nutty coconuts, it will also have spicy, smoky, and savory flavors because of the meat and spices in the recipe. If you want it to taste more like coconut, then you can simply add more grated coconut.

Why is it called coconut rice?

It is called coconut rice because aside from stir frying the rice in coconut oil, you will also add grated coconuts for a stronger nutty and sweet flavor.

Can I substitute coconut milk for water in rice?

Yes, you can! Cooking the rice in coconut milk can even give it a richer flavor and a more fragrant aroma. It will even add a creamy texture to the rice to give you a better experience.