Nasi Goreng Tray Bake (Printable Version)

Oven-baked Indonesian fried rice with chicken, vegetables, and eggs cooked together on one tray.

# What You Need:

→ Protein & Eggs

01 - 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 3 large eggs

→ Rice

03 - 1.5 cups long-grain rice (uncooked), rinsed

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 - 3.5 ounces frozen peas
08 - 2 spring onions, sliced (for garnish)
09 - 1 small carrot, grated

→ Sauce & Seasonings

10 - 3 tablespoons kecap manis (sweet soy sauce)
11 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
12 - 1 tablespoon sriracha or chili sauce (optional, for heat)
13 - 1 teaspoon ground coriander
14 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
15 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

17 - 2 tablespoons crispy fried shallots (optional)
18 - Fresh cilantro leaves (optional)
19 - Lime wedges

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a large baking tray or roasting pan.
02 - In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
03 - Spread the uncooked rice evenly across the prepared tray. Top with onion, garlic, bell pepper, grated carrot, and frozen peas. Mix gently to distribute.
04 - In a jug, whisk together kecap manis, remaining soy sauce, sriracha (if using), ground coriander, cumin, and 3 cups boiling water. Pour evenly over the rice and vegetables on the tray.
05 - Scatter the marinated chicken pieces evenly over the top. Drizzle with vegetable oil.
06 - Cover the tray tightly with foil. Bake for 30 minutes.
07 - Remove the foil, gently stir the mixture, and create three shallow wells in the rice. Crack one egg into each well.
08 - Return to the oven, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes, or until eggs are just set and chicken is cooked through.
09 - Remove from oven. Garnish with spring onions, crispy fried shallots, cilantro, and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The rice absorbs all those gorgeous aromatic spices while it bakes, creating layers of flavor you just cant achieve on the stovetop
  • Everything cooks on one tray which means minimal cleanup and more time to actually enjoy your meal
  • The eggs nestled into the rice develop those gorgeous runny yolks that create their own sauce when you cut into them
02 -
  • Do not skip covering the tray with foil for the first bake or your rice will dry out before it properly cooks through
  • The boiling water in the sauce mixture is crucial to jumpstart the rice cooking process in the oven
  • Let the tray rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow the rice to settle and the flavors to meld together
03 -
  • If you cannot find kecap manis, mix equal parts regular soy sauce and brown sugar for a similar sweet and savory effect
  • The tray bake can be assembled ahead up to the foil stage and refrigerated, then baked when you are ready to eat
  • Any leftovers reheat beautifully, though the eggs are best freshly cooked

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