Chicken Fried Rice is an easy fried rice recipe made with cooked rice, shredded chicken, eggs, and simple vegetables. Skip the takeout, save money, and eat healthier while this scrumptious chicken fried rice 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, and healthy.
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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).
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!
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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.
Yummm, I'm seriously craving this stuff right now.
How to Make Chicken Fried Rice
- Heat oil in a skillet.
- Add beaten eggs and scramble until fluffy and cooked through, transfer to a plate to add later.
- Sauté veggies (garlic, onion, carrots) in the same skillet.
- Fold in other ingredients...rotisserie chicken or meal-prepped shredded chicken, cooked rice, peas, cooked eggs, and seasonings.
- Heat until warmed...then feed your ARMY!
* See full recipe below
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.
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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 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.
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.
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
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 Asian recipes to make with 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
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![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](https://thekitchengirl.com/wp-content/uploads/Better-Than-Takeout-Chicken-Fried-Brown-Rice-by-The-Kitchen-Girl_09-300x300.jpg)
Easy Chicken Fried Rice
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
Recipe Instructions
How to make chicken fried rice
- 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).
Nutrition
Fried rice is made by frying rice and other ingredients in oil over very high heat for a short period of time.
I use long grain jasmine or basmati rice for its light, yet sturdy, texture. White or brown rice works perfectly for chicken 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.
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.
Fried rice is typically made with cooked rice, oil, vegetables, animal protein (eggs, chicken, pork, or shrimp), and soy sauce.
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This was so delicious! My whole family loved it and so easy to make.
Yay Christine! So glad this chicken fried rice is family approved for you 🙂 Thanks for the feedback...day made!
I only have instant rice in my cabinet. Is it okay to make this kind and leave in the fridge overnight for "old rice"? I only ask because I have seen Minute rice turn blue in the refrigerator before, but that may have been after days.
Ahhh, good question, Becky. I haven't tried making fried rice with instant rice, but I wouldn't be opposed if that's all I had on hand. I'm not sure why your rice turned blue but that's definitely not normal lol.
Love fried Rice and this recipe is so flavorful and delicious. A must try!
Thanks so much, Kushigalu! Yes, glad you can enjoy this one 🙂
I love fried rice and also love the idea of using a rotisserie chicken. Makes it so much easier.
Thanks, Erika! Yep, we love our fried rice tooooo 🙂
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?!!
Thanks, Lisa 🙂 Between rotisserie and my Instant Pot shredded chicken, we've got the bases covered!
Making this ASAP! I love finding new recipes that use rotisserie chickens! Saves so much time <3
Thanks, Lauren! Glad you can enjoy this recipe 🙂
I love that you made a comfort food so easy to make! A staple in our dinner menu - thanks!
Thanks Pamela! Yes, chicken fried rice is such a comfort food! Glad you like it 🙂
This is seriously so genius!!!
Haha thanks, Jocelyn! We eat it on the regular over here! 🙂
Such a perfect, easy meal and a great way to repurpose leftover rice!
Thanks Courtney! Yep, rice never goes to waste over here...we almost always turn it into fried rice 🙂
great idea to make it with rotisserie chicken, this looks delicious!
Thanks, Rebecca! We lovvvve our rotisserie chicken meals 🙂
My kids really loved this fried rice! And they can't wait for me to make it again!
So glad to hear it, Toni! This is a family-friendly meal, for sure 🙂
Love this! It was so easy and has so much flavor! Great recipe!
Awesome Kim! So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
I love fried rice, what a perfect weeknight meal option!
Thanks Elena...it really is! Hope you get a chance to make this one 🙂
My family loves the fried rice since we are Asian, rice is a staple on our table. This is also my favorite way to use up the leftovers.
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 🙂
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!
Haha yes! Day made! 🙂 Thanks Lisa...hope you get a chance to make it and hope you love it like I do!
Love a great 30 minute meal! Especially when it's absolutely delicious like this one!
Aww thanks Jessica! Love hearing that 🙂
I love the title 🙂 and I would definitely skip the take out if this was on my table 🙂
Thanks Julia...love hearing that! 🙂
I love fried rice! I bet this tastes better than a soggy takeaway too!
Haha, yep, no soggy here 🙂 Thanks Carrie...hope you get to try it out.
I tried this recipe and it was very satisfying. My husband and I both had a second helping!
Sally...you're making my day over here! Thanks for trying it AND for leaving me the feedback. Much appreciated xoxoxo
This would be great with leftover turkey too!
So true! Thanks for the idea 🙂
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. 🙂
Indeed, Trang! Love the breakfast idea...gonna have to try that for sure 🙂 Thanks!
Fried rice is such a classic and everyone should have a good base recipe like yours! My favourite way to use up chicken!
Same same, Kiki! And I couldn't agree more...thanks!
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 🙂
Awesome, Chris! Hope you love it as much as I love the name of your blog 🙂
I love a good fried rice recipe and we usually make it at least once a month. This looks so much better than anything we ever order out. Can't wait to try this recipe!
Yep, once a month here too 🙂 And thanks for the compliment...hope you love it!
How did you know? This is my favorite busy night dinner, and I love trying out new recipes for it, it's pure comfort!
Haha thanks...meee too, Sue! I need to break out of my habit and try others as well 🙂
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!
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 🙂