20-Minute Nasi Goreng Recipe (Indonesian Fried Rice)

Name: 20-Minute Nasi Goreng Recipe (Indonesian Fried Rice)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 5
Cuisine: Indonesian
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons canola oil; 1 piece onion (chopped); 3 cloves garlic (chopped); 1 cup chicken breast fillet strips; 1 piece Knorr Shrimp Cube (mashed); 1 tablespoon chili paste; 2 tablespoons sweet soy sauce; 1 piece red bird's eye chili (chopped); 4 cups cooked rice; 1/4 cup carrot strips; 1/4 cabbage (shredded); 1 piece fried egg; fresh cilantro leaves (optional); lime slices

This nasi goreng recipe takes fried rice down a more flavorful path. As sweet soy sauce caramelizes in the pan, it gives the rice its signature dark color and irresistible smoky aroma. Tender chicken and a handful of colorful vegetables soak up all that savory umami, making every spoonful worth coming back to. In just 20 minutes, you get a smoky, savory Indonesian fried rice that works well for quick meals!

20 min.
5 People
Easy
Budget

Ingredients

2 tablespoons canola oil
1 piece onion (chopped)
3 cloves garlic (chopped)
1 cup chicken breast fillet strips
1 piece Knorr Shrimp Cube (mashed)
1 tablespoon chili paste
2 tablespoons sweet soy sauce
1 piece red bird's eye chili (chopped)
4 cups cooked rice
1/4 cup carrot strips
1/4 cabbage (shredded)
1 piece fried egg
fresh cilantro leaves (optional)
lime slices

Cooking Method

Sauté the Aromatics Time: 2 minutes Heat oil in a pan or wok over medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Sauté until soft and fragrant.
Cook the Chicken Time: 3-4 minutes Add chicken breast strips and Knorr Shrimp Cube. Stir-fry until the chicken changes color and is almost cooked through. Tip: Slice the chicken thinly so it cooks quickly and stays tender.
Build the Sauce Base Time: 1 minute Stir in chili paste, sweet soy sauce, and bird’s eye chilies. Sauté for a few seconds until fragrant. Tip: To make sweet soy sauce, reduce ¼ cup soy sauce with 2 tablespoons sugar.
Toss in the Rice Time: 3-4 minutes Add cooked rice and mix well until every grain is coated with the sauce. Break up any clumps as you stir-fry. Tip: Day-old rice works best because it is drier and gives the nasi goreng a better texture.
Add the Vegetables Time: 3-5 minutes Add carrot and cabbage. Stir-fry until the vegetables are tender but still slightly crisp.
Serve the Nasi Goreng Time: 1 minute Transfer fried rice to a serving platter. Top with fried egg and cilantro leaves (if using). Serve immediately with lime slices.

What Is Nasi Goreng?

Nasi goreng is a popular Indonesian fried rice dish known for its dark color and rich, savory flavor. Unlike many fried rice recipes, it uses sweet soy sauce and shrimp-based seasonings that give the rice a deeper, more complex taste. It's also quick to prepare, making it a practical way to turn leftover day-old rice into an all-in meal.

What Gives Nasi Goreng Its Signature Flavor?

The combination of sweet soy sauce, chili, and shrimp-based seasonings gives nasi goreng its distinctive sweet-savory profile. When stir-fried over high heat, the rice develops the smoky aroma that makes this Indonesian food favorite so recognizable.

How to Customize Nasi Goreng

This nasi goreng recipe uses chicken, but shrimp, beef, pork, or tofu work just as well. You can also adjust the chilies to suit your preferred spice level or add vegetables that need using up. Finish each serving with a tomato wedges, fresh cucumber slices, and fried shallots.

Other Fried Rice Recipes to Try

Fried rice never has to taste the same twice. Try Yang Chow fried rice, meaty sinigang fried rice, or pork chao fan for a different mix of seasonings, proteins, and flavors. Like nasi goreng, they're easy to prepare and filling enough to stand alone as a complete meal.