Chicken Fried Rice
Chicken Fried Rice is the perfect way to turn simple ingredients into a tasty meal. Made with tender, seasoned chicken, fluffy eggs, white rice, crisp veggies, and a savory blend of soy sauce and spices, this dish comes together quickly in only 20 minutes.
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While I think this Chicken Fried Rice can be a meal all on its own, it certainly pairs nicely with some Mongolian Beef or Sweet and Sour Chicken.
Why This Fried Rice Recipe Works
This simple homemade version rivals your favorite takeout—minus the extra cost. This recipe is, in my opinion, the best Fried Rice! It is perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep, especially since it comes together in no time.
This will quickly become the go-to recipe for the whole family when you are craving Chinese food. This easy recipe is simple, fast, and hits the spot every time.
Let's Take a Look at the Ingredients
- Butter: Salted or unsalted is fine.
- Eggs: Large or medium eggs
- Veggies: Carrots, white onion diced, and frozen peas
- Garlic: Fresh minced
- Rice: cooked and chilled day-old rice
- Chicken: You could use cooked chicken breast, chicken thighs, or rotisserie chicken, shredded into bite-sized pieces.
- Soy sauce: Adds all the flavor
- Teriyaki sauce: This is an optional but highly recommended.
How to Make Chicken Fried Rice
- Step 1: In a large skillet, add butter, carrots, and onions. Sauté everything together until the butter has melted and the veggies are soft.
- Step 2: Add garlic and cook, stirring occasionally so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Step 3: Dump frozen peas in next and cook briefly before adding cold rice, cooked and diced chicken, soy sauce, and optional teriyaki sauce. Cook and give it all a good stir.
- Step 4: In a bowl, add eggs and beat them.
- Step 5: Move rice around in the skillet to create a hole and add butter.
- Step 6: Dump beaten eggs in the hole and cook. Stir eggs into rice mixture. Serve and enjoy the best Chicken Fried Rice.
Recipe Tips
- Chop all veggies, scramble the eggs, and dice the chicken before you start cooking — fried rice comes together fast.
- A hot pan (preferably a wok or large skillet) gives you that slightly crisp, restaurant-style finish.
- Try adding some sliced mushrooms or diced bell peppers if you want to bulk this out some more. Instead of the frozen peas, you could try adding some mixed frozen vegetables.
Recipe Faq's
Making homemade Chicken Fried Rice is a great way
to use leftover white rice to help clean out the fridge. Fresh rice will clump together. Cold rice has had time to dry out, so the grains stay separate and get that slightly crisp, chewy texture you want in fried rice.
Yes, just like white rice, day-old brown rice gives the best texture. Brown rice is nuttier and firmer, which adds a heartier feel to the dish.
Yes, frozen vegetables work perfectly for chicken fried rice — and they’re a great time-saver! Here's how to use them right:
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Chicken Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 4 eggs whisked
- 3 medium carrots peeled and diced
- 1 small white onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 4 cups cooked and chilled rice
- 1 1/2 cups cooked chicken diced
- 4 Tablespoons soy sauce or more to taste
- 2 Tablespoons teriyaki sauce optional
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large 12-inch skillet. Add the egg and cook until scrambled. Set aside
- Add an additional tablespoon of butter to the skillet add carrots, onions, peas, and garlic. Saute until onions and carrots are soft about 5 minutes.
- Increase the heat to med-high and add the cold rice. Add cooked chicken, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, and stir until combined. Fry for 3-5 minutes add scrambled eggs back in and toss..
- Garnish with sliced green onions and serve hot!
I made shrimp fried rice last night. The only thing I did differently than this recipe is no teriyaki sauce and I add cooked bacon pieces and beans sprouts. I also don’t scramble my eggs separately. I scramble them in the same pan at the end so that they are not overcooked. It’s delicious if I do say so myself. Lol
2-3 cups should be fine.
If I am using a rotisserie chicken for this, how much chicken should I use…one pound? TY!
I've never tried using instant rice, but I'm sure it would work as long as it's already cooked.
will this work with instant rice?
The chicken fried rice looks good,
thanks