Prepare to transform your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary adventure that will make your taste buds dance with excitement! This Asian-inspired Crispy Rice with Shrimp, Bacon, and Corn is not just a meal—it's a symphony of textures and flavors that combines the irresistible crunch of perfectly golden rice with succulent shrimp, smoky bacon, and sweet corn. In just 35 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-quality dish that looks impressive, tastes incredible, and will have everyone at your table begging for seconds.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups of cooked rice
- 1 pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 6 slices of bacon, diced
- 1 cup of frozen corn kernels
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients by patting the shrimp dry with paper towels and seasoning with salt and pepper. Ensure the rice is cooled and slightly dried out, which helps achieve crispiness.
- In a large skillet or cast-iron pan, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crisp and golden brown, approximately 5-6 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pan.
- Increase the skillet heat to medium-high and add the olive oil to the bacon fat. Spread the cooked rice evenly across the pan, pressing it down firmly to create a uniform layer. Allow the rice to cook undisturbed for 5-7 minutes until a golden-brown crispy crust forms on the bottom.
- Add the shrimp to the skillet, arranging them around the crispy rice. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and are just cooked through.
- Sprinkle the frozen corn kernels into the skillet and cook for an additional 2 minutes until they are heated through and slightly charred.
- Drizzle soy sauce over the entire dish, then gently mix the shrimp, corn, and crispy rice. Sprinkle the reserved crispy bacon pieces on top.
- Remove from heat and transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with chopped green onions or cilantro if desired. Serve immediately while the rice remains crisp and hot.
Tips
- Rice Texture is Key: Use day-old rice or freshly cooked rice that has been cooled and dried out. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness, so spread your rice on a tray and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before cooking.
- High Heat, No Stirring: When creating the crispy rice base, use medium-high heat and resist the urge to stir. Let the rice develop a golden-brown crust undisturbed for 5-7 minutes.
- Bacon Fat Magic: Keep the bacon fat in the pan—it adds incredible depth of flavor and helps create an even crispier rice base.
- Shrimp Timing: Add shrimp when they're just pink and slightly curled to prevent overcooking. They continue cooking even after being removed from heat.
- Optional Garnish: Fresh herbs like cilantro or green onions can add a bright, fresh contrast to the rich, crispy dish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 420kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 220mg
