If you’re craving a comforting meal that’s bursting with flavor and ready in just about 30 minutes, this Chicken Fried Rice Recipe is going to become your new go-to dinner. With tender shredded chicken, vibrant veggies, perfectly scrambled eggs, and a luscious mix of sesame oil and soy sauce, every bite delivers that satisfying blend of textures and rich, savory notes that feel like a warm hug on a plate. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or simply want a hassle-free way to impress, this recipe hits all the right spots effortlessly.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Chicken Fried Rice Recipe plays a crucial role, combining simple pantry staples and fresh veggies to create a dish that’s colorful, tasty, and perfectly balanced. Each one brings texture, color, or depth to the mix, making the final meal incredibly satisfying.
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil (or vegetable oil): Adds a nutty flavor and helps achieve that authentic fried rice aroma.
- ½ cup onion (diced): Brings sweetness and a slight crunch that brightens the dish.
- ½ cup carrots (diced): Offers a subtle earthiness and vibrant color to the rice.
- ½ cup frozen peas (no need to thaw): Adds a pop of sweetness and freshness with zero fuss.
- 2 eggs: Scrambled in, they add fluffiness and protein, rounding out the meal.
- 3 cups cooked white rice: The foundation of the dish; day-old rice works best for perfect texture.
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded): Provides hearty protein and rich, savory flavor.
- 3 tbsp soy sauce: The salty, umami kick that ties all the components together.
- 1 tbsp butter: Melts into the rice for a silky finish and a touch of indulgence.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Simple seasonings that bring out all the flavors beautifully.
How to Make Chicken Fried Rice Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics and Veggies
Start by heating your large frying pan or wok over medium heat. Add the sesame oil, then toss in the diced onions and carrots. Stir them around patiently until they soften and the carrots begin to get tender. This step is essential because it builds the flavor base with that sweet and slightly crisp veggie texture you’ll appreciate in every bite.
Step 2: Add the Frozen Peas
Next, throw the peas straight from the freezer into the pan. They’ll quickly warm through and add that lovely pop of brightness and slight sweetness to the mix. Give everything a good stir so all the veggies mingle nicely and cook evenly.
Step 3: Scramble the Eggs
Beat the eggs lightly in a small bowl with a fork to get them ready. Push the vegetables over to one side of the pan, then pour the eggs in the empty space. Use a spatula to scramble the eggs gently until they’re just cooked—but still tender and fluffy. Once ready, combine them thoroughly with the sautéed veggies for a perfect harmony of texture.
Step 4: Stir in Rice and Chicken
It’s time to add the star ingredients: the cooked white rice and shredded chicken. Mix everything thoroughly, breaking up any clumps of rice to ensure each grain is coated and mixed evenly with the veggies and eggs. This step transforms simple components into a unified, hearty dish.
Step 5: Season with Soy Sauce
Pour in the soy sauce and stir it throughout the mixture. Its salty, umami richness enhances the overall flavor profile and brings the entire dish to life. Don’t rush here—making sure it’s evenly distributed is key to consistently tasty bites.
Step 6: Melt in the Butter
Add a tablespoon of butter to the pan and stir continuously until it melts completely into the rice. This little touch enriches the dish by giving it a smooth and luscious texture that feels indulgent without overwhelming the other ingredients.
Step 7: Season to Taste
At this stage, season your fried rice with salt and pepper according to your preferences. Always taste before adding salt because the soy sauce is already quite salty, and you want the seasoning to enhance, not overpower, the amazing flavors.
Step 8: Serve Hot and Enjoy
Once everything is perfectly combined and heated through, serve your Chicken Fried Rice Recipe piping hot. It pairs wonderfully with a little yum-yum sauce or your favorite condiments to elevate the meal further.
How to Serve Chicken Fried Rice Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing elevates the dish both visually and in flavor. Consider chopped scallions for a bright, fresh bite, toasted sesame seeds for crunch and nuttiness, or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro to bring an herbaceous note. Each adds a delightful finish that makes every portion feel special.
Side Dishes
This Chicken Fried Rice Recipe is fantastic on its own but also pairs well with crisp spring rolls, a simple cucumber salad, or steamed dumplings. These sides add different textures and temperatures, making the meal exciting and well-rounded.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun presentation, serve the fried rice inside pineapple halves or over a bed of crunchy lettuce leaves. You can also turn it into stuffed peppers or mini lettuce wraps, giving your guests a fresh way to enjoy the dish that’s as visually appealing as it is tasty.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers from your Chicken Fried Rice Recipe, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The rice tends to hold up well, and the flavors often deepen overnight, making next-day meals just as good if not better.
Freezing
You can freeze leftover fried rice by placing it in a freezer-safe container or bag, removing as much air as possible. When stored properly, it keeps well for up to two months, allowing you to enjoy this quick meal even on your busiest days.
Reheating
When reheating, sprinkle a little water over the rice and cover it loosely with a lid or microwave-safe wrap to retain moisture. Warm it over medium heat on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally until it’s heated through and just as tasty as when freshly made.
FAQs
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice in this Chicken Fried Rice Recipe?
Absolutely! Brown rice makes for a nuttier, more fiber-rich version. Just keep in mind it has a chewier texture and may require a slightly longer cooking or reheating time for the best results.
What type of chicken works best?
Cooked shredded chicken from a roast, rotisserie, or even leftover grilled chicken all work wonderfully. The key is to use cooked chicken that’s tender and easy to mix seamlessly into the rice.
Is sesame oil necessary, or can I substitute it?
Sesame oil adds a unique aroma and depth, but if you don’t have it, vegetable or canola oil can work as substitutes. Just add a small drizzle of toasted sesame oil at the end if you have some on hand to get that classic taste.
Can this recipe be made vegetarian?
Definitely! Simply skip the chicken and consider adding tofu, extra vegetables, or even scrambled eggs for a vegetarian-friendly fried rice that’s equally delicious and filling.
How do I prevent the rice from becoming mushy?
Using day-old rice is vital—it’s drier and less sticky. Also, avoid overcrowding the pan and stir-fry on moderately high heat to keep the grains separate and give the dish that authentic fried rice texture.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Fried Rice Recipe is a foolproof way to bring a delicious, home-cooked meal to your table without fuss. It’s flexible, flavorful, and just plain comforting, proving that sometimes the simplest ingredients combine to create the most memorable dishes. Give it a try, and I promise it’ll quickly become a household favorite you want to make again and again.
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Chicken Fried Rice Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
A quick and delicious Chicken Fried Rice recipe that combines tender shredded chicken, vegetables, and scrambled eggs stir-fried with aromatic sesame oil and soy sauce. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal, this dish brings together savory flavors and a perfect balance of textures in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil (or vegetable oil)
- ½ cup onion (diced)
- ½ cup carrots (diced)
- ½ cup frozen peas (no need to thaw)
- 2 eggs
- 3 cups cooked white rice
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded)
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Heat a large frying pan or wok over medium heat. Add the sesame oil, diced onions, and carrots. Sauté these until the carrots and onions start to become tender, releasing their natural sweetness and aroma.
- Add peas: Stir in the frozen peas directly into the vegetable mix, mixing well to distribute evenly as they begin to warm through.
- Cook the eggs: Beat the eggs in a small bowl with a fork. Push the sautéed vegetables to one side of the pan, pour the beaten eggs into the empty side, and scramble them carefully with a spatula. Once fully cooked, combine the eggs with the vegetables.
- Add rice and chicken: Add the cooked white rice and shredded chicken to the pan. Mix everything thoroughly to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Season with soy sauce: Pour the soy sauce over the fried rice mixture and stir well to coat the rice and chicken with the savory flavors.
- Add butter: Stir in the butter until it melts completely, adding richness and a smooth finish to the dish.
- Season to taste: Add salt and pepper according to your preference, adjusting the seasoning to balance the flavors perfectly.
- Serve: Serve the chicken fried rice hot, ideally with a side of “yum-yum sauce” or your favorite dipping sauce to enhance the flavors.
Notes
- Use day-old rice for best texture; freshly cooked rice can be too soft and sticky.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or green onions for extra color and flavor.
- Adjust soy sauce quantity to control saltiness.
- Leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken works well to save preparation time.
- You can substitute sesame oil with vegetable or canola oil if preferred.
