Name: Chicken Fried Rice
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked and cooled jasmine rice; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (divided); 2 eggs (beaten); 1 cup cooked chicken breast (diced); ½ cup frozen peas and carrots (thawed); ¼ cup diced onion; 2 –3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce; 1 teaspoon sesame oil; 2 green onions (sliced); Salt and pepper (to taste)

Craving a quick, flavorful dish that satisfies everyone at the table? Chicken fried rice is your go-to solution, packed with savory chicken, crisp veggies, and perfectly seasoned rice. This dish originated in Asian cuisine but is now popular worldwide. Chicken fried rice is delicious and versatile. It works well for a quick weeknight dinner or using up leftovers. Even picky eaters usually enjoy it. This post covers the key ingredients and provides a simple recipe for making great chicken fried rice at home. You’ll see why it’s a crowd-pleasing favorite.

Top-down view of chicken fried rice with vegetables and scrambled egg in a white bowl with chopsticks. — A hearty bowl of chicken fried rice loaded with tender chicken, peas, carrots, and scrambled eggsis perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.

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Table of contents

A Classic Dish: Chicken Fried Rice Recipe
Quick and Easy: Making Chicken Fried Rice at Home
Delicious Variations: Chicken Fried Rice with a Twist
Healthier Options: Lighter Chicken Fried Rice Recipes
Tips and Tricks: Perfecting Your Chicken Fried Rice
Family-Friendly: Getting Kids to Love Chicken Fried Rice
Leftover Makeover: Transforming Chicken and Rice into Fried Rice
Conclusion
FAQs

A Classic Dish: Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

This dish combines juicy chicken, day-old rice, colorful vegetables, and a splash of soy sauce. Each bite offers a tasty mix of textures and flavors that’s easy to make at home.

The key is to balance the ingredients: diced chicken, cooled cooked rice, eggs, vegetables like carrots and peas, and seasonings. Cook everything in a hot pan or wok for maximum flavor.

Quick and Easy: Making Chicken Fried Rice at Home

Preparation is Key

The key to a successful homemade chicken fried rice is to have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking. This includes having your cooked rice cooled and separated, your chicken diced, and your vegetables chopped.

Cooking the Ingredients

Begin by warming a wok or large frying pan over high heat and adding a bit of oil. Then, add the chopped chicken and cook until it loses its pink color. Move the chicken to one side of the pan and crack in the eggs, scrambling them until they’re just cooked. Finally, toss in your chopped vegetables and stir-fry until they’re crisp-tender.

Assembling the Dish

Lastly, add the cooked rice to the pan and pour in the soy sauce and sesame oil. Stir everything together until the rice is warmed up and evenly coated with the savory flavors. In just a matter of minutes, you’ll have a delicious homemade chicken fried rice ready to be enjoyed.

Delicious Variations: Chicken Fried Rice with a Twist

Top view of chicken fried rice with peas, carrots, egg, and soy sauce served on a white plate with chopsticks.

Want to change things up? Try adding pineapple for a sweet and tangy contrast. Toss in cashew nuts for crunch. Love spice? Add chili peppers or a splash of sriracha.

Experiment with sauces. Teriyaki adds sweetness; oyster sauce adds deep umami flavor. Try different vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, or water chestnuts. With these ideas, you can make a version that fits your style.

Healthier Options: Lighter Chicken Fried Rice Recipes

Recipe Name	Calories per Serving	Protein per Serving	Fat per Serving	Carbohydrates per Serving
Healthy Chicken Fried Rice	320	25g	10g	30g
Lighter Chicken Fried Rice	280	20g	8g	25g
Low-Calorie Chicken Fried Rice	250	18g	6g	20g

While traditional chicken fried rice is undeniably delicious, it often contains a high amount of sodium and can be heavy on the oil. However, there are several ways to make lighter and healthier versions of this beloved dish without sacrificing flavor. One simple way to lighten up chicken fried rice is to use brown rice instead of white rice.

Brown rice is higher in fiber and nutrients, making it a healthier choice that also adds a nutty flavor and chewy texture to the dish. Another way to reduce the calorie and fat content of chicken fried rice is to use less oil during the cooking process. By using a non-stick pan or wok and incorporating cooking techniques such as steaming or stir-frying with broth or water instead of oil, you can significantly reduce the fat content while still achieving great flavor.

Additionally, increasing the proportion of vegetables in the dish not only adds more nutrients but also helps to bulk up the meal without adding extra calories. By making these simple swaps and adjustments, you can enjoy a lighter and healthier version of chicken fried rice that is just as satisfying as the original.

Tips and Tricks: Perfecting Your Chicken Fried Rice

To achieve the perfect chicken fried rice at home, several tips and tricks can help elevate your dish to restaurant-quality levels. One essential tip is to use day-old cooked rice that has been refrigerated. Freshly cooked rice tends to be too moist and sticky, whereas day-old rice has dried out slightly, making it ideal for stir-frying as it won’t clump together.

Another important tip is to ensure that your wok or skillet is very hot before adding any ingredients. This helps to create that signature smoky flavor and crispy texture that is characteristic of great fried rice. Additionally, it’s crucial to avoid overcrowding the pan when stir-frying the ingredients.

Overcrowding can lead to steaming rather than frying, resulting in soggy rather than crispy rice. Finally, don’t be afraid to season your chicken fried rice generously with soy sauce or other seasonings. The rice should be well-coated with the seasonings to ensure that every bite is flavorful.

By following these tips and tricks, you can perfect your chicken fried rice and impress your family and friends with a delicious homemade meal.

Close-up of chicken fried rice in a bowl with peas, carrots, scrambled eggs, and red bell peppers, served with chopsticks.

Family-Friendly: Getting Kids to Love Chicken Fried Rice

This dish is great for families. Its mild flavors and familiar ingredients make it easy to get kids on board. Customize it with their favorite vegetables or proteins—maybe ham or shrimp instead of chicken.

You can also let kids help out with tasks like stirring or measuring. This gets them invested and excited to try the meal. Make it fun by using cookie cutters for veggies or arranging the plate in playful designs.

Leftover Makeover: Transforming Chicken and Rice into Fried Rice

Have leftover rice and chicken? Perfect! Use them to whip up fried rice with hardly any effort. Heat a wok or skillet, add your veggies, then toss in the diced chicken. Stir-fry until everything’s hot. Add the rice, seasonings, and stir until well combined. In no time, you’ve turned leftovers into a fresh, tasty meal that reduces food waste.

Conclusion

Chicken Fried Rice recipe is a tasty and filling dish. It is also very flexible. You can adjust it to suit different tastes and dietary preferences. The recipe is simple. It only needs chicken, rice, vegetables, and soy sauce.

This makes it good for new cooks and experienced chefs. You can add your favorite vegetables or change the seasoning. Chicken Fried Rice works for a quick weeknight dinner or to impress guests. It uses up leftover rice and chicken, so less food is wasted.

You can make it your own. Try different proteins or sauces to find new flavors. The flexibility makes Chicken Fried Rice popular worldwide.

Whether you’re feeding a family, clearing out leftovers, or simply craving takeout-style comfort food, this easy chicken fried rice recipe is your reliable go-to. Delicious, customizable, and ready in minutes, it’s no wonder it’s a global favorite.

FAQs

What is chicken fried rice?

It’s a stir-fried dish made with cooked rice, chicken, vegetables, scrambled eggs, and seasonings like soy sauce.

What ingredients do I need?

You’ll need rice, chicken, vegetables (like peas, carrots, onions), eggs, soy sauce, and oil.

How do I make it?

Cook your ingredients separately—chicken, eggs, veggies—then combine them in a hot wok with the rice and sauces.

Any variations?

Yes! Try pineapple, cashews, chili, teriyaki, or oyster sauce. Mix up your vegetables or protein choices.

How can I make it healthier?

Use brown rice, cut back on oil, and increase the amount of vegetables.

What are the best tips?

Use day-old rice, cook over high heat, avoid overcrowding, and season well for the best flavor.

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