Get ready to ignite your taste buds with a dish that's anything but ordinary! We're talking about a culinary mash-up that brings together the best of sweet, spicy, savory, and smoky. Imagine tender, crispy chicken wings nestled atop a bed of vibrant fried rice, studded with crispy bacon, zesty pineapple, and a kick of jalapeño, all generously drizzled with a creamy, fiery spicy yum yum sauce. Yes, it's as incredible as it sounds!
A Flavor Adventure You Won't Forget
This recipe is for the adventurous eaters, the fusion food lovers, and anyone looking to elevate their weeknight dinner or weekend feast. It’s a symphony of textures and tastes – the crunch of the wings, the chewiness of the rice, the burst of sweet pineapple, and the delightful heat from the jalapeños and sriracha. Each bite is a journey!
Crispy Wings Perfection
The foundation of this masterpiece starts with perfectly crispy chicken wings. We're baking them to golden-brown perfection, ensuring a satisfying crunch that stands up to the rich flavors of the fried rice and the luscious yum yum sauce. A simple seasoning blend gives them a savory base that pairs beautifully with everything else.
Savory & Sweet Jalapeño Pineapple Fried Rice
Now for the main event: the fried rice. This isn't your average side dish. Day-old jasmine rice gets transformed into a flavor explosion with smoky bacon, aromatic garlic and onion, crisp bell peppers, and of course, those crucial bites of sweet pineapple and spicy jalapeño. It’s a balanced combination that's both comforting and exciting.
The Irresistible Spicy Yum Yum Sauce
What ties this entire dish together? The spicy yum yum sauce! This creamy, tangy, and subtly sweet sauce with a pronounced kick of sriracha is the ultimate finishing touch. It brings a cohesive element to the crispy wings and the flavorful rice, making every mouthful utterly addictive.
Tips for Success
- Use Day-Old Rice: This is crucial for excellent fried rice. Day-old, chilled rice is drier and less likely to clump, leading to individual, fluffy grains.
- Don't Overcrowd Your Pan: Cook the bacon and then the rice in batches if necessary, to ensure everything gets properly browned and stir-fried, not steamed.
- Prep Ahead: Chop all your vegetables, mince your garlic and jalapeño, and even mix your yum yum sauce in advance. This makes the cooking process much smoother and faster. Having a quality chef's knife can make all the difference in your prep work, especially when mincing garlic or dicing vegetables precisely.
- Adjust Spice to Your Liking: Feel free to add more or less jalapeño and sriracha based on your heat preference.
Ready to Cook?
So, are you ready to embark on this incredible culinary adventure? This recipe might have a few components, but each step is straightforward, and the result is a truly memorable meal that will have everyone asking for seconds. Let's get cooking!
FAQs
Can I make the fried rice ahead of time?
You can prep most of the ingredients (chop vegetables, cook bacon, even fry the rice) ahead of time. However, for the best texture and flavor, it's recommended to combine and stir-fry the ingredients just before serving.
How can I adjust the spice level of this dish?
To control the heat, you can adjust the amount of jalapeu00f1o in the fried rice (remove seeds for less heat) and tailor the sriracha quantity in the spicy yum yum sauce to your preference. For extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne to the wings!
What kind of chicken wings are best for this recipe?
Crispy baked or air-fried chicken wingettes and drumettes work wonderfully. Their crunch provides a fantastic contrast to the soft rice and creamy sauce. If you prefer, you can also use boneless chicken thighs cut into pieces.
Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?
Absolutely! Fresh pineapple will offer a brighter, more vibrant flavor profile. Just make sure to cut it into small, bite-sized chunks so it distributes evenly throughout the fried rice.
Spicy Wings & Bacon Jalapeño Pineapple Fried Rice with Yum Yum Sauce
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Not Specified (Comfort Food)
Description
This vibrant dish combines crispy chicken wings, smoky bacon, and sweet-tart pineapple with a spicy jalapeño kick, all mixed into a flavorful fried rice and topped with a creamy, fiery yum yum sauce.
Ingredients
2 lbs chicken wingettes and drumettes
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Salt and black pepper to taste
4 cups cooked day-old jasmine rice
6 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 jalapeño, deseeded and minced
1 cup fresh or canned pineapple chunks, drained
1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots blend
3 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
1 tbsp oyster sauce (optional)
1 tsp sriracha (or more, to taste)
2 green onions, sliced, for garnish
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp sriracha
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Wings: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat chicken wings dry. In a large bowl, toss wings with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a wire rack. Bake for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and cooked through.
Step 2: Cook the Bacon: While wings bake, cook diced bacon in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving about 1-2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan. Set crispy bacon aside.
Step 3: Sauté Vegetables: Add sesame oil to the skillet with bacon fat (if needed). Add chopped onion, minced garlic, diced red bell pepper, and minced jalapeño. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until vegetables soften.
Step 4: Add Rice and Pineapple: Add the day-old cooked jasmine rice and pineapple chunks to the skillet. Break up any clumps of rice and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, allowing the rice to heat through and develop a slight crisp.
Step 5: Finish the Fried Rice: Stir in the frozen peas and carrots blend, soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), and sriracha. Continue to stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes, ensuring all ingredients are well combined and heated through. Stir in most of the crispy bacon, reserving some for garnish.
Step 6: Prepare Spicy Yum Yum Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sriracha, rice vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, and optional cayenne pepper until smooth. Taste and adjust spice or sweetness as desired.
Step 7: Assemble and Serve: Divide the fried rice among serving plates. Top each portion with crispy chicken wings. Drizzle generously with the spicy yum yum sauce. Garnish with remaining crispy bacon and sliced green onions. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Using day-old, chilled rice is key for perfect fried rice that isn't clumpy. For extra crispy wings, consider air frying or double baking them. Adjust the amount of jalapeño and sriracha to control the spice level in both the rice and the sauce. A squeeze of fresh lime juice at the end can brighten up the flavors even more.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-frying, Baking
- Cuisine: Fusion / Asian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 780 kcal
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 1400mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
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