Ready for a culinary adventure?
Our stir-fried rice cakes with marinated chicken will take you on a flavor journey through the vibrant streets of Asia.
But that’s not all!
They will also take you back to that table at your favorite Chinese restaurant, where you first savored that soft and enveloping delight. Yes, I’m talking about them: rice cakes!
Who hasn’t loved them from the first bite?
Every forkful of this dish is a burst of flavor, with the marinated chicken melting in your mouth and the vegetables adding a touch of freshness.
A simple dish, but with a heart rich in passion and tradition, that will make you feel at home, even if you’re on the other side of the world.
An experience that will make you say: ‘Exactly like the ones I always ate!’
Ready to recreate that magic?
- Shrimp and Vegetable Rice Cakes: the Chinese Restaurant Secret for Cooking Them Perfectly.
- Beef Teriyaki Style Noodles (Easy and Quick)
- Stir-Fried Noodles with Chicken and Vegetables: A Healthy and Tasty Dish for Lovers of Oriental Cuisine
- Chinese Braised Pork Belly, Hongshao Rou: The Recipe You Must Try
- Quick Recipe: Soybean Noodles and Ground Meat in Sweet and Sour Sauce
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Rest time: 5 Minutes
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 4
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
- Energy 591.26 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 92.78 (g) of which sugars 2.23 (g)
- Proteins 22.48 (g)
- Fat 11.66 (g) of which saturated 0.34 (g)of which unsaturated 0.69 (g)
- Fibers 0.45 (g)
- Sodium 143.20 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 400 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
Let’s prepare everything we need! Here is the list of ingredients to create these delicious Asian-style rice cakes:
- 1.1 lbs rice cakes
- 14 oz chicken breast
- 6 tablespoons soy sauce
- 4 tablespoons mirin
- 2 tablespoons sake
- A few slices ginger
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 carrots
- 2 zucchini
- 2 red bell peppers
- 2 fresh scallions
- 1 teaspoon honey
- as needed peanut oil
Tools
To prepare this dish in the best way, here are the tools you’ll need:
- 1 Wok Amazon BASIC
- 1 Bowl Pyrex
- 1 Cutting Board
Steps
Ready to cook? Let’s follow these steps together to prepare a dish that will win everyone over.
The secret is in the marinade:
Start your culinary adventure by cutting the chicken breast into succulent cubes.
Prepare an explosive marinade with soy sauce, mirin, sake, fresh ginger, and garlic.
Immerse the chicken in this fragrant mix, ensuring each piece is wrapped in flavors.
Cover with plastic wrap and let the magic happen in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or up to two hours for an even more intense result.
Symphony of colors and textures:
While the chicken flavors, focus on the vegetables. Cut carrots, red bell pepper, and zucchini into thin strips, like brushstrokes of color.Thinly slice the scallion, separating the white part from the green: the first will add sweetness to the sauté, the second freshness to the finished dish.
Wok in action: Oriental aromas:
After the marinating time, drain the chicken from the excess liquid and brown it in a hot wok with peanut oil.
Once golden, set it aside.
In the same wok, add another drizzle of oil and sauté first the white part of the scallion and carrots, then the bell pepper, and finally the zucchini.
Deglaze with a splash of water to create a flavorful base.
Pour sake, mirin, soy sauce, and a touch of honey (or brown sugar) for a sweet and sour balance.
Add the filtered marinade and chicken, allowing the flavors to blend in a warm embrace.
Rice cakes as protagonists: a touch of softness:
Add the rice cakes, following the instructions on the package (they usually only require soaking).
Stir-fry them in the sauce for a couple of minutes, until they are hot and have absorbed all the flavors.
If needed, add a bit of hot water to blend everything together.
Plating and tasting: a sensory experience:
Serve the rice cakes on plates, garnishing with toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green scallion.
Every bite is a journey through flavors and textures, a perfect balance of sweetness, saltiness, and freshness.
Want to know how to store this dish best? Or maybe you’re looking for some tips to customize it?
Here are some tips and variations to make your culinary experience even more special:
Storage, Tips, and Variations:
Storage:
The stir-fried rice cakes can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
To reheat, you can use the microwave or stir-fry them again in a pan with a little oil, adding some water if necessary.
Freezing is not recommended, as rice cakes may lose their texture.
Tips:
If using dried rice cakes, ensure you follow the soaking instructions on the package carefully. Insufficient soaking can make the cakes hard.
For a more intense flavor, you can marinate the chicken for a longer time, up to 4 hours.
Do not overcook the vegetables; they should remain crunchy.
For an extra touch, add some toasted sesame oil at the end of cooking.
If you love spicy flavors, add some sriracha sauce or fresh chopped chili.
Variations:
You can substitute chicken with shrimp, beef, or tofu.
Add other vegetables as you like, such as mushrooms, bean sprouts, or Chinese cabbage.
For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and increase the amount of vegetables.
You can substitute light soy sauce with dark soy sauce for a more intense flavor.
Add a tablespoon of peanut butter for a creamy touch.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Do you still have some doubts? Here are the answers to the most common questions about our stir-fried rice cakes, to help you become a true master of Asian cuisine!
Can I prepare the chicken marinade in advance?
Absolutely yes! You can prepare the marinade the day before and store it in the refrigerator.
This will save you time and result in even more flavorful chicken.
I don’t have a wok, can I use another pan?
Sure! A large non-stick pan will work just fine. Just make sure it’s big enough to hold all the ingredients and distributes heat evenly.
Can I use fresh rice cakes instead of dried ones?
Yes, you can use fresh rice cakes. In this case, soaking is not necessary. Add them directly to the sauce and cook them for the indicated time.
How can I make this dish spicier?
You can add some sriracha sauce, fresh chopped chili, or chili powder during cooking. Alternatively, you can garnish the dish with some slices of fresh chili before serving.
Can I use other types of vegetables?
Of course! Feel free to experiment with the vegetables you prefer. Mushrooms, bean sprouts, Chinese cabbage, or broccoli are great alternatives.
Can I prepare this dish in a vegetarian version?
Yes, you can omit the chicken and increase the amount of vegetables. You can also add tofu or tempeh for a protein touch.
