Easy Chicken Fried Rice

Chicken Fried Rice is an easy dinner recipe made with cooked rice, shredded chicken, eggs, and everyday vegetables. Skip the takeout and save money with this scrumptious recipe.

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, delicious food.

What I love about chicken fried rice

• Use leftover baked chicken, rotisserie chicken, or meal-prepped chicken breast is cost-effective and always delish.
• You can use brown rice as a healthy option.
• Peas, carrots, and corn are easy to obtain and add so many nutrients!
• Gluten-free friendly (GF soy sauce, tamari or Bragg Aminos - you choose).
• You control the sodium, not the restaurant.
• No MSG or added sugar, fat, etc. (once again, you choose).

Chicken fried rice recipe ingredients

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

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!

Why is fried rice called fried rice?

We often think of anything labeled fried as "deep fried" in 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.

How to Make Chicken Fried Rice

For this recipe, I use storebought rotisserie chicken or meal-prepped chicken from my Baked Chicken Thighs or my Instant Pot 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.

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.

Do I need to use day old rice for 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.

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.

Recommended kitchen tools

• chef knife
• cutting board (to chop onions)
• Microplane fine grater (to grate garlic)
• 5-quart nonstick skillet or wok
• silicone spatula or wooden spoon

More recipes that use shredded chicken

• Teriyaki Chicken Lettuce Wraps
• Chicken Banh Mi Sliders
• Teriyaki Chicken Fried Rice
• Asian Slaw Quinoa Salad

More easy weeknight recipes

• One-Pot Chicken Broccoli Rice
• 30 Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup
• Lasagna Soup for Instant Pot or Stove
• Instant Pot Turkey Chili