Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Chicken Fried Rice is a quick, flavorful, and satisfying meal that combines tender pieces of chicken, savory rice, and a delicious blend of vegetables and seasonings. It’s the perfect way to use up leftover rice and transform it into a comforting, one-pan dish. Whether you’re looking for a weeknight dinner, meal prep idea, or a side dish for a special occasion, this recipe is sure to please. With a bit of soy sauce, sesame oil, and a touch of garlic, you’ll enjoy a rich, savory taste that’s both comforting and satisfying, yet light enough for any time of day.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked rice (preferably cold, day-old rice works best)
• 1 lb chicken breast (or thighs), diced into small cubes
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or any neutral oil)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Cook the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from the skillet and set aside.
2. Scramble the eggs: In the same skillet, add the beaten eggs and scramble them, cooking until fully set, about 1-2 minutes. Remove the eggs from the skillet and set them aside with the chicken.
3. Sauté the vegetables: In the same skillet, add the sesame oil and sauté the onion and garlic until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Add the frozen mixed vegetables and cook for another 2-3 minutes until heated through.
4. Combine the rice: Add the cold, cooked rice to the skillet, breaking up any clumps. Stir to combine with the vegetables and cook for about 3-4 minutes until the rice is heated through.
5. Season the fried rice: Add the soy sauce and stir to coat the rice evenly. Add the cooked chicken and scrambled eggs back to the skillet and toss to combine everything.
6. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped green onions over the top and serve immediately. Enjoy your homemade chicken fried rice!

Servings and Timing

• Servings: This recipe serves about 4 people.
• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 15 minutes
• Total time: 25 minutes

Variations

1. Beef Fried Rice: Swap the chicken for cooked beef or steak strips for a different protein option.
2. Shrimp Fried Rice: Use shrimp in place of chicken for a seafood version of this dish.
3. Vegetarian Fried Rice: Skip the chicken and add more vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms to make this dish vegetarian-friendly.
4. Spicy Fried Rice: Add some Sriracha or chili garlic sauce to the soy sauce for a spicy kick.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store any leftover fried rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: To reheat, place the rice in a microwave-safe dish, cover, and microwave for 1-2 minutes, or heat in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water to prevent it from drying out.

FAQs

Can I use fresh rice instead of day-old rice?

While day-old rice works best for fried rice due to its drier texture, you can use fresh rice if needed. Just be sure to spread it out on a baking sheet to cool it down before using to prevent it from becoming too sticky.

Can I make this fried rice without sesame oil?

Yes, you can substitute sesame oil with vegetable or canola oil, but sesame oil adds a distinctive nutty flavor to the dish. You can also use a small amount of toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor.

Can I add other vegetables to the fried rice?

Absolutely! Feel free to add any vegetables you like, such as bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, or broccoli. The beauty of fried rice is its versatility!

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prep the ingredients ahead of time (e.g., cook the chicken and chop the vegetables), but it’s best to cook the rice and assemble the dish on the day you plan to serve it to ensure the freshest flavor and texture.

Can I freeze chicken fried rice?

Yes, you can freeze chicken fried rice for up to 2-3 months. Store it in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. To reheat, simply microwave or heat on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth to prevent it from drying out.

How do I make my fried rice crispy?

To make crispy fried rice, you can let it cook in the skillet undisturbed for a few minutes so that it gets a bit crispy on the bottom before stirring. This gives the rice a slightly crunchy texture.

Can I add soy sauce or tamari to the fried rice later?

Yes, you can always adjust the flavor by adding more soy sauce or tamari at the end of cooking, but make sure to taste before adding to avoid making it too salty.

Is it necessary to use a wok to make fried rice?

No, a wok is not necessary. You can use any large skillet or non-stick pan to make fried rice. The key is to ensure the pan is large enough to allow for even cooking and stirring.

What other proteins can I use in this recipe?

In addition to chicken, you can use beef, pork, shrimp, or even tofu for a plant-based version of fried rice. Just be sure to cook your protein separately before adding it back to the rice.

Can I make this recipe without eggs?

Yes, you can make chicken fried rice without eggs if you have dietary restrictions or simply prefer to skip them. You can replace the eggs with tofu or just add extra vegetables for flavor and texture.

Conclusion

Chicken Fried Rice is a quick, easy, and customizable dish that is perfect for busy weeknights or when you have leftover rice to use up. With its combination of savory chicken, veggies, and perfectly seasoned rice, it’s a satisfying meal that will please the whole family. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or add your own personal twist, this chicken fried rice will become a staple in your cooking routine. Enjoy it with your favorite sauces or as a standalone meal, and savor the flavors of this easy, homemade dish.

Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

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A quick, flavorful, and satisfying dish that combines chicken, vegetables, and savory rice, seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil. Perfect for weeknight dinners or using up leftover rice.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stir-fried
• Cuisine: Asian

Ingredients

1. 2 cups cooked rice (preferably cold, day-old rice works best)
2. 1 lb chicken breast (or thighs), diced into small cubes
3. 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
4. 1 tablespoon sesame oil
5. 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or any neutral oil)
6. 1 small onion, diced
7. 2 cloves garlic, minced
8. 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
9. 2 eggs, lightly beaten
10. 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
11. Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from the skillet and set aside.

1. In the same skillet, add the beaten eggs and scramble them until fully set, about 1-2 minutes. Remove the eggs from the skillet and set aside with the chicken.
2. In the same skillet, add sesame oil and sauté the onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes. Add the frozen mixed vegetables and cook for another 2-3 minutes until heated through.
3. Add the cold, cooked rice to the skillet, breaking up any clumps. Stir to combine with the vegetables and cook for 3-4 minutes until heated through.
4. Add soy sauce and stir to coat the rice evenly. Add the cooked chicken and scrambled eggs back to the skillet and toss to combine.
5. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve immediately.

Notes

1. For extra flavor, add chili garlic sauce or Sriracha for a spicy kick.
2. You can substitute chicken with beef, shrimp, or tofu for different protein options.
3. For a vegetarian version, skip the chicken and add more vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini.
4. If using fresh rice, make sure it’s cooled down to prevent it from becoming too sticky.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 120mg