Save to Pinterest This vibrant Asian fusion dish combines plump, juicy prawns sautéed in aromatic garlic butter with a colourful bed of sweet chilli-infused fried rice. The prawns are quickly cooked to perfection with olive oil, garlic, butter and lemon, creating a succulent seafood topping. Meanwhile, day-old jasmine rice is stir-fried with crisp vegetables including carrots, bell peppers and peas, then tossed in a flavourful blend of sweet chilli sauce, soy sauce and sesame oil.
The entire meal comes together in just 35 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknight dinners or casual entertaining. Each serving delivers a satisfying balance of protein from the prawns and carbohydrates from the rice, with fresh vegetables adding colour and crunch throughout.
My tiny apartment kitchen smelled like garlic and butter at 9pm on a Tuesday. I'd been craving something that felt like takeout but needed to use up the prawns sitting in my fridge. That first batch taught me that sweet chilli sauce belongs in fried rice and now it's the only way I make it.
Last summer my neighbor caught the amazing scent through our open windows and ended up eating dinner with us. She swore she'd never like prawns but went back for seconds. Now whenever I make this, I double the recipe because someone always shows up.
Ingredients
- Large raw prawns: Fresh ones transform completely in that garlic butter bath and cook in literally minutes
- Cold day-old jasmine rice: I learned the hard way that fresh rice turns into mush
- Sweet chilli sauce: This humble condiment is what makes the rice sing and cling to everything
- Fresh garlic: Dont use the preminced stuff from a jar, it tastes metallic
Instructions
- Sear the prawns first:
- Get your skillet ripping hot and dont crowd the pan or theyll steam instead of sear. Watch them curl up and turn coral pink, then get them out fast before they turn rubbery.
- Build the rice base:
- Let your veggies soften until they're fragrant, then scramble your eggs right in the wok. Toss in that cold rice and listen to it sizzle and pop.
- Add the magic sauce:
- Pour in sweet chilli sauce and watch it coat every grain. The kitchen will smell incredible and the rice should look glossy and inviting.
Save to Pinterest My friend's husband, who swore he hated prawns, ate three servings at their dinner party. Later he admitted he'd only ever had the rubbery frozen kind. Watching someone discover they actually love an ingredient they've dismissed is pretty special.
Getting The Rice Texture Right
Spread cooked rice on a baking sheet and refrigerate it uncovered for at least a few hours. The grains dry out just enough to get those crave-worthy crispy edges when they hit the hot oil.
Timing Everything Perfectly
Prep every single ingredient before you turn on the stove because once you start cooking, everything happens lightning fast. The prawns take two minutes, the rice takes five, and suddenly dinner is done.
Building Your Own Version
Sometimes I throw in whatever vegetables are hiding in my crisper drawer. The formula stays the same but the dish feels new every time.
- Diced zucchini works beautifully if you have it
- Frozen corn adds sweetness and pops of color
- Crushed cashews on top bring a lovely crunch
Save to Pinterest There's something deeply satisfying about a dish that comes together in under half an hour but tastes like you spent all day cooking it.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use frozen prawns instead of fresh?
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Yes, frozen prawns work perfectly for this dish. Thaw them completely before cooking and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture for better searing.
- → Why use day-old rice for fried rice?
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Day-old rice has dried out slightly, which prevents it from becoming mushy during stir-frying. Freshly cooked rice contains too much moisture and won't achieve the desired texture.
- → How can I make this dish spicier?
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Add chilli flakes to the prawns while cooking, increase the sweet chilli sauce, or add fresh sliced chillies to the fried rice. Sriracha also makes an excellent spicy addition.
- → What can I substitute for prawns?
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Chicken breast cubes, firm tofu cubes, or even scallops work beautifully as alternatives. Adjust cooking times accordingly—chicken needs longer, tofu and scallops cook faster.
- → Is this dish gluten-free?
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Use gluten-free soy sauce (tamari) to make this completely gluten-free. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, though always check labels for pre-made sauces.
- → Can I prepare any components ahead of time?
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Prepare the vegetables and cook the rice the day before. The prawns are best cooked just before serving, but you can clean and devein them in advance and store chilled.
