Chili Crisp Sausage Fried Rice

⏱️ Prep Time: 10 minutes • 🍳 Cook Time: 15 minutes

I had leftover rice in the fridge and some bacon sausage I needed to use, which turned into this chili crisp sausage fried rice. It has browned sausage, peppers and onion, plenty of chili crisp, and a little lime squeezed over everything at the end.

Chili crisp sausage fried rice with peppers, cilantro, sesame seeds, and fresh lime.

The bacon sausage worked really well here because it browned around the edges and added a smoky, salty flavor to the rice. You don't need to use the same kind, though. I'd use whatever fully cooked sausage you like or already have in the fridge.

Day-old rice is important for this one. Since it's had time to dry out in the fridge, it can sit directly against the hot pan and pick up some color instead of turning soft or clumping together. I like to let it sit for a bit before stirring so some of the grains get lightly toasted.

The sauce isn't really a separate sauce at all. Chili crisp, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil go directly into the pan. The chili crisp gives the rice heat and those little crispy bits of chili and garlic, while the vinegar and lime keep everything from tasting too heavy.

I used a mix of red, yellow, and orange bell peppers because that's what I had, but you don't need all three. One large bell pepper works fine. This is also a good recipe for using up half a pepper or onion sitting in the fridge.

---

Ingredients

🍽️ Servings: 4 • 🔥 Calories/Serving: ~475 • 💪 Protein/Serving: ~15g

For the Fried Rice

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil, divided

• ½ medium white onion, diced

• ½ cup diced red bell pepper

• ½ cup diced yellow bell pepper

• ½ cup diced orange bell pepper

• 12 ounces fully cooked sausage, diced

• 4 cups cold day-old cooked rice

• 2 tablespoons chili crisp, plus more to taste

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

• ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste

For Serving

• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

• 2 teaspoons sesame seeds

• 1 lime, cut into wedges

---

Steps

Step 1

Heat the olive oil and 1 teaspoon sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell peppers. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and the peppers start to brown around the edges.

Step 2

Add the diced sausage. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned on several sides.

Step 3

Add the cold rice. Break up any clumps with your spatula and spread the rice across the bottom of the skillet. Let it cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes, then stir. This gives some of the rice a chance to toast against the hot pan.

Step 4

Add the chili crisp, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and remaining teaspoon of sesame oil. Toss everything together until the rice is evenly coated. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 5

Remove the skillet from the heat. Taste and add more chili crisp or soy sauce if you'd like.

Step 6

Divide between bowls and top with chopped cilantro and sesame seeds. Serve with lime wedges and squeeze the fresh lime juice over the rice before eating.

---

Make it your own!

• 🌶️ Turn up the chili crisp
  Two tablespoons gives the rice some heat without overwhelming everything. Add another spoonful at the table if you want more.

• 🍳 Add an egg
  Push the rice to one side of the skillet, scramble an egg or two in the open space, then toss it into the rice.

• 🫑 Use whatever peppers you have
  You don't need three colors of bell pepper. Use one large pepper or whatever combination is already in your fridge.

• 🌭 Switch the sausage
  I used bacon sausage, but smoked sausage, chicken sausage, kielbasa, or another fully cooked sausage would work here.

• 🥦 Add more vegetables
  Frozen peas, carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, or snap peas would all be easy additions if you want to bulk up the rice.

---

Try it with…

Did you make this recipe?

Did you add a unique twist? Did your family enjoy it? Share your thoughts and any customizations you made in the comments below.

Don't forget to tag me on Instagram @chompionsblog and use the hashtag #chompions