Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice)
User Reviews
4.8
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Total Time
20 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
453 kcal
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Cuisine
Indonesian
Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice)
Description
Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice) is a flavorful dish combining thinly sliced chicken breast stir-fried with aromatics including garlic, red chili pepper, and onion. The chicken is cooked with sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), imparting a rich caramelized sweetness that balances the mild heat of the chili. Day-old cooked rice is added and stir-fried with more kecap manis and optional shrimp paste, which deepens the savory complexity. The technique of frying the rice until the grains begin to caramelize is key to developing its characteristic flavor and texture.
The finished dish has a moist yet slightly sticky texture that holds the sauces well. The seasoning is well-balanced with salty soy, sweet notes, mild heat, and umami from the shrimp paste. Garnishes like fried eggs, sliced green onions, fresh cucumber and tomato wedges, and fried shallots add freshness, richness, and crunch, complementing the warm rice.
Serve Nasi Goreng as a standalone meal or alongside other Asian dishes. The addition of a sunny-side-up egg is traditional, adding luscious richness when broken onto the rice. The fresh vegetable sides provide brightness and contrast. This fried rice is versatile for lunch or dinner and can be customized with other proteins or adjusted chili levels.
Kecap Manis is essential for the signature sweet soy flavor and can be homemade or bought. Day-old rice is recommended to ensure the best texture, allowing the grains to separate and fry evenly. Leftovers can be reheated with a sprinkle of water to refresh the texture. Optional ingredients such as shrimp paste or fried shallots add depth but are not required.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 tbsp neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
- 5 oz / 150g chicken breast , thinly sliced (or other protein)
- 1 tbsp kecap manis (sweet soy sauce, Note 1)
Rice
- 1.5 tbsp neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
- 2 garlic finely chopped, cloves
- 1 tsp red chili pepper finely chopped (Note 2
- 1 onion , small, diced
- 3 cups white rice day old, cold (Note 3, cooked
- 2 tbsp kecap manis (sweet soy sauce, Note 1)
- 2 tsp shrimp paste , optional (Note 4)
Garnishes / side servings (optional)
- 4 egg fried to taste
- 1 green onion , sliced
- tomato cut into wedges/chunks
- cucumber cut into wedges/chunks
- shallot store bought (optional) (Note 3, fried
- lime wedges
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat.
- Add chilli and garlic, stir for 10 seconds.
- Add onion, cook for 1 minute.
- Add chicken, cook until it mostly turns white, then add 1 tbsp kecap manis and cook for a further 1 minute or until chicken is mostly cooked through and a bit caramelised.
- Add rice, 2 tbsp kecap manis and shrimp paste, if using. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes until sauce reduces down and rice grains start to caramelise (key for flavour!).
- Serve, garnished with garnishes of choice (green onions, red chilli, fried shallots).
Serving
- Serve as a side for Asian main dishes or as part of a large spread, Asian or not! :) See in post for suggestions.
- Make it a meal - traditional Indonesian style!: Serve with a fried egg sunny side up (runny yolk!), tomato wedges and slices of cucumber on the side.
Notes
- Kecap Manis is a sweet, thick Indonesian soy sauce essential to the dish; it can be substituted by simmering soy sauce with brown sugar until syrupy.
- Use day-old cold rice for best texture in fried rice—the drier grains fry better and don’t clump.
- Add mild chili like bird’s eye or Thai red to taste for warmth without excessive heat.
- Shrimp paste is optional but adds authentic depth; omit or replace with fish sauce if preferred.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator and refresh by microwaving with a splash of water to restore moisture.
- Fried shallots are a nice garnish for texture but optional.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 453 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 187g | |
| Calories | 453cal | 23% |
| Carbohydrates | 58.6g | 20% |
| Protein | 23.7g | 47% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 2.4g | 12% |
| Cholesterol | 196mg | 65% |
| Sodium | 898mg | 37% |
| Potassium | 290mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 1.3g | 5% |
| Sugar | 1.2g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 200IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 1.7mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 60mg | 6% |
| Iron | 4.7mg | 26% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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