Home » Recipes » 30 Minute Meals » Easy Chicken Fried Rice

Easy Chicken Fried Rice

By

This Chicken Fried Rice recipe is a scrumptious Asian-inspired recipe made with cooked rice, shredded chicken, eggs, vegetables, and tamari (gluten-free soy sauce). Skip the takeout, save money, eat healthier, and brace yourself for your new favorite DIY Chinese food!

chicken fried rice in black wok

Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

This fried rice recipe is one of my favorite Asian recipes and longest-running meals since college when I figured out how to “skip the takeout” and make my own food.

Even back then, when I had more time on my hands, I still wanted easy, affordable, and healthy.

What I love about this chicken fried rice

  • Using leftover rotisserie chicken or meal-prepped chicken breast is cost-effective and always delish.
  • You can use brown or white rice.
  • All the peas, carrots, and corn…we need ALL the veggies we can get!
  • Gluten-free friendly (GF soy sauce, tamari or Bragg Aminos – you choose).
  • Reduced-sodium friendly (you’re in control of your sodium, not the restaurant).
  • No MSG or added sugar, fat, etc. (once again, you choose).
  • Dinner in 30, dudes!

Since this fried rice recipe relies on cooked rice and cooked chicken, we just add those items to our meal planning efforts…so we eat fried rice at least once a month.

If you’re into chicken fried rice, you’re gonna love Teriyaki Chicken Fried Rice! It’s just as easy and scrumptious as this one!

Grab more easy Asian recipes

Why is fried rice called fried rice?

We often think of anything labeled fried as “deep fried”, as in, tons of oil.

But Chinese fried rice is different. Well, it should be anyway. When it’s made properly, it’s made with just enough oil to lightly coat the rice and other ingredients. It’s cooked over very high heat for a very short period of time.

This is why it’s called fried rice. At home, we do our best to mimic this technique by using high heat, just a little oil, and rapid cooking.

Yummm, I’m seriously craving this stuff right now.

Grab more easy Asian recipes

chicken fried rice in white bowl with chopsticks on grey background

How to Make Chicken Fried Rice

Step 1. Heat oil in a skillet.

Step 2. Add beaten eggs and scramble until fluffy and cooked through, transfer to a plate to add later.

Step 3. Sauté veggies (garlic, onion, carrots) in the same skillet.

Step 4. Fold in other ingredients…rotisserie chicken or meal-prepped shredded chicken), cooked rice, peas, cooked eggs, and seasonings.

Step 5. Heat until warmed…then feed your ARMY!

For this recipe, I use storebought rotisserie chicken or meal-prepped shredded chicken. We use the 80/20 rule…so, we never eat a whole rotisserie chicken by itself. We always turn it into other things…like fried rice! We do the same thing with our Teriyaki Chicken Fried Rice.

This is why we make meat such a small part of any recipe and flood it with healthy ingredients.

Grab more easy Asian recipes

What type of rice is used for fried rice?

I use long grain jasmine or basmati rice for its light, yet sturdy, texture. White or brown rice works perfectly for chicken fried rice.

I love the way they taste, especially jasmine, and I’m always happy with the texture.

You can use a medium-grain, or even a short-grain rice, but I personally prefer the long grain for the fluffy texture that doesn’t stick together when cooked.

chicken fried rice in white bowl with chopsticks on grey background

Do I need to use dried out rice when making chicken fried rice?

If you make chicken fried rice using freshly cooked rice, it’s probably going to be sticky and require you to use a lot more oil than you need. The idea behind the day-old rice is that it has lost a little moisture after sitting overnight in the refrigerator.

How do you dry out rice for fried rice?

The easiest way to dry out rice for fried rice is to simply refrigerate cooked rice overnight. However, if you need to make fried rice with freshly cooked rice, simply spread the rice or a baking sheet and place it in the refrigerator uncovered for an hour or two.

chicken fried rice in white bowl with chopsticks on grey background

What is the best oil to use for chicken fried rice?

A neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point is best for fried rice. The most common pantry oils for this are vegetable oil and canola oil.

Can I use olive oil for fried rice?

You can, but only if it’s an olive oil blend that’s made for high heat frying. You would never want to use extra virgin olive oil for any fried rice recipe.

What are the ingredients for chicken fried rice?

  • canola oil or vegetable oil
  • fresh garlic
  • green onions
  • carrots
  • baby peas
  • corn
  • cooked rice (white or brown)
  • shredded chicken breast (rotisserie or make your own)
  • reduced-sodium soy sauce (gluten-free)
  • black pepper

Recommended kitchen tools

More Asian recipes to make with shredded chicken

More easy weeknight recipes

Grab more easy Asian recipes

chicken fried rice in skillet and white bowls on gray background with title text overlay
Healthy chicken fried rice recipe with brown rice [or white], fresh vegetables, and reduced sodium soy sauce! Skip the Takeout Chicken Fried Brown Rice. thekitchengirl.com #lowsodium #chinesefood #friedrice #chickenfriedrice #glutenfreefriendly
Print REcipe
5 from 21 votes

Easy Chicken Fried Rice

Easy Chicken Fried Rice is a scrumptious, 30-minute meal made with cooked rice, shredded chicken, eggs, vegetables, and tamari for a distinct Chinese flavor. You'll probably find yourself skipping takout chicken fried rice from here on out!
Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian, Chinese
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 8 1-cup servings
Calories 226kcal
Author Traci Antonovich

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp Canola Oil
  • 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
  • 2 large Eggs lightly beaten
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 2 large Green Onions sliced (separate green from white)
  • 1 cup Carrots diced
  • 1 cup Sweet Peas frozen, fresh, or canned
  • 1 cup Corn frozen, fresh, or canned
  • 4 cups Cooked Rice white or brown
  • 1 cup Shredded Chicken Breast or rotisserie chicken
  • 2 Tbsp Reduced-Sodium Tamari or soy sauce (if not gluten restricted)
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper

Instructions

  • In a large, nonstick skillet on medium high, heat CANOLA OIL and SESAME OIL; add EGGS and gently scramble; remove and set aside.
  • To the preheated skillet, add GARLIC, GREEN ONIONS, and CARROTS; sauté until tender and fragrant (about 3 minutes).
  • Add PEAS, CORN, RICE, CHICKEN, TAMARI (or soy sauce), PEPPER, and scrambled EGGS.
  • Continue sautéing, until warmed through, stirring as needed (about 4-6 minutes).

RECIPE NOTES

Yield: 8 cups
Serving size: 1 cup
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy and are estimates based on unbranded ingredients acquired from a nutrition database. For accurate calculations, please refer to brand packaging information and consult your nutritionist.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Easy Chicken Fried Rice
Amount Per Serving (1 cup)
Calories 226 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 66mg22%
Sodium 217mg9%
Potassium 254mg7%
Carbohydrates 32g11%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 10g20%
Vitamin A 3001IU60%
Vitamin C 11mg13%
Calcium 34mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Did you make this recipe? Tag me!Mention @thekitchengirl or tag #thekitchengirl
Why is fried rice called fried rice?

Fried rice is made by frying rice and other ingredients in oil over very high heat for a short period of time.

What type of rice is used for fried rice?

I use long grain jasmine or basmati rice for its light, yet sturdy, texture. White or brown rice works perfectly for chicken fried rice.

How do you dry out rice for fried rice?

The easiest way to dry out rice for fried rice is to simply refrigerate cooked rice overnight. However, if you need to make fried rice with freshly cooked rice, simply spread the rice or a baking sheet and place it in the refrigerator uncovered for an hour or two.

What is the best oil to use for fried rice?

A neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point is best for fried rice. The most common pantry oils for this are vegetable oil and canola oil.

What are the ingredients for fried rice?

Fried rice is typically made with cooked rice, oil, vegetables, animal protein (eggs, chicken, pork, or shrimp), and soy sauce.

I originally published this Chicken Fried Rice to amandascookin.com in May 2017.

The Kitchen Girl
Follow TKG
Latest posts by The Kitchen Girl (see all)

Comments

  2. Erika says

    5 stars
    I love fried rice and also love the idea of using a rotisserie chicken. Makes it so much easier.

    Reply

  3. Lisa | Garlic & Zest says

    5 stars
    I buy a rotisserie chicken just about every week — this is such a different and clever way to use it! And who doesn’t LOVE fried rice?!!

    Reply

  4. Lauren says

    5 stars
    Making this ASAP! I love finding new recipes that use rotisserie chickens! Saves so much time <3

    Reply

  5. Pamela says

    5 stars
    I love that you made a comfort food so easy to make! A staple in our dinner menu – thanks!

    Reply

  7. Courtney | Love & Good Stuff says

    5 stars
    Such a perfect, easy meal and a great way to repurpose leftover rice!

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Thanks Calleigh…I’m right there with you on using up leftovers. That’s how I ever came to rely on this recipe back in my college days 🙂

  13. Lisa L Bynum says

    5 stars
    I know brown rice is better for me, but I’m like you … I don’t like to just eat it on its own. BUT its usually my go-to rice for stir fry because it works so well. I have a ton of leftover chicken in my fridge right now. Looks like we’re having stir fry this week!

    Reply

  17. Sally Golding says

    5 stars
    I tried this recipe and it was very satisfying. My husband and I both had a second helping!

    Reply

  19. Trang says

    5 stars
    Fried rice is such a great way to use up left-over protein and veggies. Instead of dinner, we would make breakfast fried rice at our house. 🙂

    Reply

  21. Chris says

    5 stars
    A rotisserie chicken is always on my weekly shop so this post is a winner for me! Definitely on the to-try list. Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply

  24. Jane, The Heritage Cook says

    5 stars
    I love fried rice and you are right, it is always a good idea to have recipes like this in our repertoire! Can’t wait to give this a try – I can already tell it is going to be outstanding!

    Reply

    • Traci says

      Awww Jane, you’re too sweet. Hope you love it…been a fav for a long time! Oh, I like to add ginger to it sometimes…yum! Thanks for weighing in 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Affiliate Program

The Kitchen Girl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to readers.