Easy Chicken Fried Rice
This better-than-the-takeout version of your favorite chicken fried rice will have your tastebuds dancing. Our chicken fried rice recipe uses leftover (or day-old) white rice, a medley of fresh veggies, and chunks of seasoned, juicy chicken to make this dish a guaranteed hit with the whole family. Not only is it flavorful, quick, and a breeze to whip up, but it’s also a great way to use up whatever leftover vegetables you have lying around in your fridge. We also love that this homemade chicken fried rice is a bit healthier than our average takeout order, which just means we can add it to our weekly rotation of meals!
What's in this Chicken Fried Rice Recipe
Fried rice has become a staple in many cuisines around the world, although it’s mostly known as Chinese comfort food. The basic ingredients include rice, protein, and veggies seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, and other flavorful spices. Fried rice is incredibly versatile, and it's easy to add or substitute ingredients based on personal taste preferences. For the best chicken fried rice, we use:
Long grain white rice
Chicken breasts
Sea salt
Cornstarch
Large eggs
Toasted sesame oil
Coconut aminos
Vegetable oil
Carrots
Yellow onion
Garlic cloves
Frozen peas
Green onions
Soy sauce or tamari
How to Make Chicken Fried Rice
Follow these easy steps for how to cook chicken fried rice:
Cook the chicken! Start by seasoning the chicken with salt and tossing it with cornstarch, then boil it for about four minutes. Save for later.
Prepare the eggs and vegetables! In a small bowl, beat the eggs with sesame oil and coconut aminos. In a skillet or wok, cook the carrots, followed by onions and garlic, until tender. Remove from the skillet, then cook the eggs in the same skillet.
Crisp up the rice! In a single layer, cook the rice until crispy, about 2-3 minutes, then toss it a few times to ensure it has crisped evenly. Repeat this a few times until desired crispiness is achieved! Pro tip: We like to use day-old cooked rice because it produces a much better texture than using fresh rice, which sometimes can be soggy when fried! If you’re using freshly made cooked rice, spread it out on a baking sheet to cool as much as possible before this step!
Assemble and serve! Add the chicken, vegetables, and egg mixture to the skillet with the rice. Stir in peas, green onions, coconut aminos, and soy sauce. Cook until warmed through and combined. Serve with a side of soy sauce if desired!
Tips for Making Fried Rice
If you're looking to take your homemade fried rice to the next level and are interested in what makes restaurant fried rice taste good, there are a few tips and tricks you can use!
Leftover rice! One of the key components of what gives Chinese fried rice its flavor is the use of leftover rice that has had time to dry out a bit, giving it that perfect texture. Simply make a double batch of White Rice the night before, and it’ll be perfect to use the next day for Chinese chicken fried rice.
Aromatics! The flavor of fried rice comes from the use of aromatics like garlic, ginger, and green onions, as well as soy sauce and sesame oil. But what’s the secret to fried rice? The secret to making delicious fried rice is to ensure that each grain of rice is coated in the flavorful seasoning and that you're using high heat (which you can get from a large skillet, but a wok is preferred due to heat distribution) to get that signature crispy texture.
Make it your own! Swap out veggies for red bell pepper or whatever you may have on hand. Restaurant fried rice often has a few extra touches, such as the addition of small pieces of meat like pork, shrimp, or Baked Crispy Chicken Thighs and even a sprinkle of MSG to enhance the umami flavor. Fun Fact: MSG, also known as Monosodium glutamate, is a natural savory food enhancer, like salt, that occurs in vegetables and meats, such as mushrooms and beef broth.
What Goes With Chicken Fried Rice
Whether served as a side dish or a main course, fried rice is a delicious and satisfying meal that can be enjoyed any time of day. This healthy chicken fried rice recipe is an easy weeknight meal on its own, but also pairs nicely with Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry, Pineapple Pork Stir Fry, or Sesame Chicken with Broccoli. For fresh and flavorful sides, we like to whip up an Asian Cucumber Salad, Chinese Dry Fried Green Beans, Hot and Sour Cabbage, Stir Fried Baby Bok Choy, Sticky Shrimp Lettuce Wraps or Fresh Spring Rolls. We also love a heartier main such as an Asian Chopped Salad with Hoisin Marinated Pork or Grilled Five Spice Flank Steak.
How to Store Chicken Fried Rice
Looking to enjoy your leftover chicken fried rice without compromising on flavor or texture (and wondering how long is chicken fried rice good for?) While this flavorful and quick chicken fried rice takes less than an hour to make and much faster to devour, you can always make a double batch for the week – and hope it lasts! To store your chicken fried rice, when cooled, place it in an airtight container and then pop it in the fridge. It will typically last for up to two to three days in the fridge.
How to reheat chicken fried rice:
When it's time to reheat your chicken fried rice, heat it up in a skillet or wok with a little oil, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent it from sticking. Cook until heated through, and enjoy your delicious meal once again! If you’re short on time, the microwave, for 1-2 minutes, will work as well.
Tools You’ll Need to Make Fried Rice with Chicken
Whisk or fork
Large skillet or wok
The Ultimate Rice Recipes!
Rice is one of our favorite, most versatile ingredients. Not only is it nutritious, but it also is budget-friendly and spans across almost every culture. We could eat it every day, especially with some of our most-loved crowd favorite recipes:
For base recipes we love: White Rice, Brown Rice, Lemon Rice, Cilantro-Lime Rice, or Coconut Rice
Looking for more spiced and flavor-packed rice? Try Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice, Red Beans and Rice, or Coconut Fried Rice
These stand-alone recipes are clear winners in our book: Forbidden Rice Stuffing with Wild Mushrooms and Delicata Squash, Chicken and Rice Soup, One Pot Chicken and Rice
Better than Takeout, Chicken Fried Rice!
You don’t have to pick up the phone to have this fried rice with chicken. Did you end up making it? Snag a photo or video of your chicken fried rice and tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Happy eating!
