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My go-to when I don’t feel like cooking? This easy chicken fried rice! I grab leftover rice and chicken, toss it all in a pan, and boom, dinner is ready in minutes. The best part? My kids devour it!
A Reader’s Review
Such a perfect recipe! I use leftover chicken AND rice, so with the frozen mixed veggies this comes together incredibly quickly! My husband and one daughter have both said they could eat this 3x a week – and thats a glowing compliment…believe me!
– Carrie
All the Reasons This Never Fails Me
- Meal Prep Magic: Tastes just as good the next day, making leftovers something to look forward to.
- One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in a single skillet, so there’s less mess, and cleanup is a breeze!
- Protein-Packed Upgrade: While I love my classic fried rice recipe, this one gets a protein boost from juicy chicken that makes it even more satisfying.
- Family Favorite: Even picky eaters can’t resist the savory combo of chicken, veggies, and rice.
Ingredients Needed
- Protein: Mix up your protein with ham, shrimp, or bacon.
- Low Carb: For a low-carb version of fried rice, try using cauliflower.
- Vegetables: Feel free to add other favorite vegetables to enhance this recipe. Broccoli, cauliflower, snap peas, or water chestnuts work great.
- Soy Sauce: Regular or low-sodium soy sauce both work. You can add more at the end if you want a bolder flavor.
How To Make Chicken Fried Rice
You only need one pan and a few basic ingredients. This chicken fried rice comes together fast and makes the best use of leftovers. After making it once, takeout might be off the menu for good.
- Cook the Chicken: Add vegetable oil and soy sauce to a large skillet or wok and heat over medium heat. Add chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces, and cook until lightly browned and cooked throughout, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Add the Vegetables: Add sesame oil, diced white onion, and thawed frozen peas and carrots to the pan and fry until tender, about 3-4 minutes.
- Scramble the Egg: Slide the vegetables to the sides and then add the lightly beaten eggs to the other side of the pan. Use a spatula to scramble the eggs. Once cooked, mix the eggs with the vegetables.
- Add the Rice and Serve: Add cooked white rice and the cooked chicken to the vegetable mixture and stir to combine. Add soy sauce and stir until combined and heated throughout. Top with sliced green onions, and fresh cracked black pepper if desired, and serve warm.
Alyssa’s Pro Tip
High Heat: Cooking chicken fried rice over high heat is best for fried rice. It helps brown the rice and vegetables evenly. Avoid letting the rice steam or clump together by stirring frequently.
Tips For the Best Fried Rice
- Use Cold Rice: Leftover white, long grain or brown rice from the fridge is ideal, firmer grains = better texture for your chicken fried rice.
- Too Fresh? Chill It: You can cook rice fresh, then spread it on a sheet pan and refrigerate for 30–45 minutes, or pop it in the freezer for 10–15 minutes to cool it down fast.
- Shortcut: Use pre-cooked, ready rice to save even more time.
How to Store Leftover Chicken Fried Rice
- How long does fried rice last? Stored right in an airtight container, it stays fresh for 5–7 days in the fridge.
- Can you freeze it? Absolutely! Seal it up in an airtight container or ziplock, throw it in the freezer, and you’re good to go!
- Can you reheat it? Yep! Stovetop or microwave works best—just don’t reheat it more than once.
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Equipment
- Large Skillet or Wok
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 pound chicken cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 cup diced white onion about 1 small onion
- 1 cup thawed frozen peas and carrots
- 2 lightly beaten large eggs
- 3 cups cooked rice
- 2-3 tablespoons soy sauce more or less to taste
- 2 tablespoons sliced green onions optional garnish
Instructions
- Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon soy sauce to a large skillet or wok and heat over medium heat. Add 1 pound chicken cut into bite-sized pieces and cook until lightly browned and cooked throughout, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Add 2 tablespoons sesame oil, 1 cup diced white onion, and 1 cup thawed frozen peas and carrots to the pan and fry until tender, about 3-4 minutes.
- Slide the vegetables to the sides and add 2 lightly beaten large eggs to the other side of the pan. Use a spatula to scramble the eggs. Once cooked, mix the eggs with the vegetables.
- Add 3 cups cooked rice and the cooked chicken to the vegetable mixture and stir to combine. Add 2-3 tablespoons soy sauce and stir until combined and heated throughout. Top with 2 tablespoons sliced green onions, if desired, and serve warm.
Video
Notes
Updated May 28, 2025
Leftover Instructions: Fried rice lasts 5–7 days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container, and it freezes great, too—just seal it up and toss it in the freezer. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave, but only once.
Nutrition
Calories: 225kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 17gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 474mgPotassium: 327mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1754IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!
This is one of my go to recipes for weeknights. My family loves it. We leave out the chicken and double the eggs. Also, I always use chicken stock instead of water when making my rice to add some extra flavor.
Perfect fried rice ! Thank you for a great recipe.
How would I make this with a rotisserie chicken
Warm up your rotisserie chicken in some teriyaki sauce) and then add your cooked chicken to your rice and veggie mixture.
A family favourite. I make this all the time and double the recipe because everyone wants the leftovers the next day.
My family loved this recipe! It’s a winner! I combined avocado oil and plant based butter to cook the chicken along with the soy sauce. Very easy and delicious recipe. Remember to use cold rice, made the day before for best results!! Thank for sharing. ❤
I’m so glad to hear that you loved it! It’s a favorite at my house!
im sorry this was gross. not what i expect an asian cuisine to taste like.
You made my day. This chicken fried rice are perfect. I will make this twice times a week. Thanks for sharing.
Great recipe! But maybe you’re eating it thinking “hm, this is missing something”. That missing ingredient is MSG and you’ll find Every Chinese takeaway uses it (even if they say they don’t!)
You can find it in any Oriental supermarket or possibly even in the spices section or world foods section of your local supermarket.
Wow! I don’t usually rate things online….but this Fried Rice is so easy, tasty,
It’s so easy to switch up proteins and vegetables plus so many other little addons – But your recipe is a Friday Fried Rice here.
Thank you for making this so easy and thank you for sharing!
We loved this meal ! Thank you!
We agree with the title, it is better than any take out!! I added long grain and wild rice and red rice and quinoa and it was a healthier meal. Fast and delicious! We will make and enjoy this again.
???
Add bacon to the ingredients!
Super easy to make! Great side to use up left over steamed rice. I added l some thinly sliced cabbage. Extra filler. It was great. Will make again.
You’re right. This was much better than takeout. This recipe made my day. Here is winter and it keep me warm. I got chicken and followed the instructions, and it was super delicious and perfect.
Me and my husband enjoyed. Thank you for a delicious and easy recipe.
Very tastey.
Omg this is great. I was making another recipe at the same time and accidently added ginger, onion and minced garlic but it didn’t change it any. It was the best rice I’ve ever made.
My partner and I are constantly arguing over which Chinese take out place to order from. Thanks to Alyssa and this Better Than Take Out Rice recipe we always agree it’s best too cook it at home. It’s a great couples activity! Thanks Alyssa for encouraging us to try new things in the kitchen and keeping our relationship together.