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Homemade Chicken Fried Rice

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close up shot of a bowl of Chicken Fried Rice
Loaded with colorful vegetables, tender chicken, and only requiring minimal meal prep, this chicken fried rice will be a hit with the whole family.
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Table of Contents
  1. Chicken Fried Rice Recipe Ingredients
  2. Substitutions And Additions
  3. How To Make Chicken Fried Rice
  4. How To Serve Fried Rice with Chicken
  5. Storing This Chicken Stir Fried Rice Recipe
  6. You’ll Love This Recipe For Chicken Fried Rice
  7. Chicken Fried Rice Recipe FAQs
  8. More Recipes You’ll Love
  9. JUMP TO RECIPE

Chicken fried rice is always a winner and makes for a delicious meal that you can whip up in a flash. This dish is packed with so many flavors and features crisp veggies and chicken that work together to create a hearty dish that doubles as both a main course and a side.

overhead shot of Chicken Fried Rice in a pan with a wooden spoon

Chicken Fried Rice Recipe Ingredients

Chicken Fried Rice raw ingredients that are labeled
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The rich and savory flavor of this fried rice is simply irresistible, and your senses will be hit with a medley of deliciousness.

The combination of fluffy rice, tender chicken pieces, vegetables, scrambled eggs, and a blend of enticing spices makes it a mouthwatering dish that you’ll crave over and over again.

You’ll need:

  • 3 cups of cooked jasmine rice (chilled – it will clump too much if still warm when added to the frying pan)
  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • 1 pound of boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized cubes
  • ½ cup of fine-diced white onion
  • 2 teaspoons of minced garlic
  • 1 cup of frozen peas & carrots
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
  • ¼ cup of soy sauce

PRO TIP:

If you are watching your salt intake, you can use low sodium soy sauce in this recipe.

Substitutions And Additions

RICE: This recipe calls for jasmine rice, but you could also use brown rice or white rice instead. Whatever you have on hand will work. You could also use cauliflower rice as a substitute.

PROTEIN: You can get very creative with the protein in your fried rice. For the eggs, you could use fresh eggs or liquid eggs. You can leave the chicken out altogether and substitute it for a vegetarian-friendly option like pineapple or tofu. In this great recipe, you could also opt for shrimp, beef, or pork in place of the chicken. 

VEGETABLES: You can mix up the veggies in this easy meal to include whichever ones you love. You could use either fresh or frozen vegetables. Some other ideas for what to include are broccoli, sweet corn, bell peppers (any color), water chestnuts, yellow onions, or sprouts.

SPICE: If you like a little bit of a kick in your Asian cuisine, you can sprinkle red pepper flakes over the top of your fried rice to add a bit of spiciness!

How To Make Chicken Fried Rice

One of the keys to this recipe is to use previously cooked rice. Whether leftover from the day before or cooked and cooled the same day, this is the secret to the best fried rice.

STEP ONE: If not already done, cook 1½ dry cups of jasmine rice (which will be about 3 cups cooked) and set it in the fridge to let the rice cool. 

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

This is a handy recipe if you happen to have leftover rice from another meal as well.

STEP TWO: In a 12-inch frying pan, cook chicken pieces on medium-high heat in the vegetable oil until fully cooked (internal temperature 165°F). Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside. 

PRO TIP:

One of the secrets of delicious fried rice is a nice hot wok and plenty of oil so that your veggies don’t burn to the bottom.

chicken being cooked in a pan

STEP THREE: In the same frying pan, cook the onion and garlic over medium-high heat until the onion has softened (about 2 to 3 minutes).

onion and garlic being cooked in a pan

STEP FOUR: Add the frozen peas and carrots and cook veggies just until slightly thawed (1 to 2 minutes). 

peas and carrots being cooked in the pan

STEP FIVE: Add the cooked rice and stir well to mix. Heat and stir for about 3 to 4 minutes, then use a spatula to make a hole in the middle of the pan to scramble the two eggs in. Once the eggs are cooked, use the spatula to stir them together with the rest of the frying pan contents.

rice and eggs added to the pan

STEP SIX: Stir in the cooked chicken breast, sesame oil, and soy sauce. Stir well just until all the ingredients are coated. 

PRO TIP:

A sprinkle of green onions on top before serving adds even more color to this dish. You can also add a small spoonful of sesame seeds to your dish as well.

chicken added to the pan then topped with sesame oil and soy sauce

How To Serve Fried Rice with Chicken

There are so many different ways to serve this chicken fried rice. It would work both as a side dish alongside our crispy honey chicken or orange chicken or as a main dish on its own for either a quick lunch or dinner option.

A side of homemade egg rolls can also add some variety to the rice while also bringing some delicious crunch.

If you love fried rice dishes, you must also try our better than takeout fried rice and our shrimp fried rice.

Storing This Chicken Stir Fried Rice Recipe

Fried rice keeps and reheats well. Since it includes chicken, it is a meal in one, making it perfect for a quick lunch on the go.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftovers of this delicious chicken fried rice in the fridge in a sealed food storage container for 2 to 3 days.

IN THE FREEZER: Freeze fried rice in portions to make it easy to defrost and use. Once it is cooled, pop the portions in a freezer bag and use them within 3 months. Defrost overnight, then pop in the skillet to heat up.

close up shot of a bowl of Chicken Fried Rice

You’ll Love This Recipe For Chicken Fried Rice

Hearty chicken fried rice is a great choice to whip up on busy nights. This homemade version of the takeout classic is made with simple ingredients and packed with protein to create a flavorful and filling dish.

Chicken Fried Rice Recipe FAQs

Can I freeze fried rice?

This easy fried rice recipe freezes well. Cool and place in an airtight container for easy reheating later.

Can I use day-old rice in this chicken and egg fried rice recipe?

You can use either day-old rice or fresh rice in this easy recipe. This recipe is a great way to use leftovers from a previous meal.

Can I use other Asian sauces that I have on hand?

While it will alter the flavor of the fried rice, you can use whichever sauces you like to use in your cooking. Try hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, or extra soy sauce.

Can I make the rice in a rice cooker?

You can make the rice whichever way you usually cook rice before adding it to this dish.

What is the secret to great fried rice?

The secret to great fried rice is to make sure you are using previously cooked rice, either leftovers or cooked and chilled the same day. Fresh rice will not give you the same results.

What is the best oil for fried rice?

The best oils to use for fried rice include vegetable oil and peanut oil.

What gives fried rice its flavor?

The addition of soy sauce, fish sauce, or oyster sauce gives fried rice its delicious flavor.

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close up shot of a bowl of Chicken Fried Rice

Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

5 from 5 votes
Loaded with colorful vegetables, tender chicken, and only requiring minimal meal prep, this chicken fried rice will be a hit with the whole family.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups cooked jasmine rice, chilled – it will clump too much if still warm when adding it to the frying pan
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized cubes
  • ½ cup white onion, fine diced
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 cup frozen peas & carrots
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • ¼ cup soy sauce

Instructions
 

  • If not already done, cook 1½ dry cups of jasmine rice (which will be about 3 cups cooked) and set in the fridge to chill.
  • In a 12-inch frying pan, cook chicken on medium-high heat with vegetable oil until fully cooked (internal temperature 165°F). Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
  • In the same frying pan, cook the onion and garlic over medium-high heat until the onion has softened (about 2 to 3 minutes).
  • Add the frozen peas and carrots and cook just until slightly thawed (1 to 2 minutes).
  • Add the rice and stir well to mix. Heat and stir for about 3 to 4 minutes, then use a spatula to make a hole in the middle of the pan to scramble the two eggs in. Once the eggs are cooked, use a spatula to stir them together with the rest of the frying pan contents.
  • Stir in the cooked chicken breast, sesame oil, and soy sauce. Stir well just until all the ingredients are coated.

Notes

  • If you are watching your salt intake, you can use low sodium soy sauce in this recipe.
  • This is a handy recipe if you happen to have leftover rice from another meal as well.
  • One of the secrets of delicious fried rice is a nice hot wok and plenty of oil so that your veggies don’t burn to the bottom.
  • A sprinkle of green onions on top before serving adds even more color to this dish. You can also add a small spoonful of sesame seeds to your dish as well.

Nutrition

Calories: 387kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 166mg | Sodium: 1007mg | Potassium: 629mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 3494IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 2mg
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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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  1. Debra Payne says

    5 stars
    We really enjoy rice and chicken, with some mixed vegetables. Also with a little sauce. I’m really loving your recipes, please keep them coming!!!

  2. Mbg says

    5 stars
    I made this for dinner last night. My husband and brother-in-law, loved it so much, they finished it all. The only variation I made was instead of frozen peas and carrots, I used frozen mixed vegetables that had peas, carrots, kernel corn and cut string beans. They told me from now on instead of Chinese take out they want this. Thanks so much for this wonderful and easy (not a lot of prep) recipe.

  3. Sheila A says

    5 stars
    This sounds so easy, quick, and tasty, we don’t have a lot of time to spend in these kitchens, this I believe is a winner, can’t wait to try! Thanks

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