Loaded with colorful veggies and tender chicken, this delicious Chicken Fried Rice is an easy one-pan meal that’s packed with flavor, the whole family will love it!

A frying pan filled with chicken and vegetables.

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Why We Love This Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

  • Homemade. A homemade version of the takeout classic makes for the best weeknight dinner!
  • Lighter. Packed with chicken and veggies, this dish is super satisfying without feeling heavy.
  • Flavorful. It’s so savory and delicious, with a wonderful depth of flavor from the toasted sesame oil. This is a simple dish that packs a tasty punch!

Variations on Easy Chicken Fried Rice

Choose a mix of your family’s favorite fresh or frozen veggies, such as corn, green beans, broccoli, or edamame, totaling ½ cup. Note that some vegetables take longer to cook than others, so adjust the cook time accordingly. For a healthier swap, use an equal amount of brown rice or riced cauliflower.

Fried rice with chicken and vegetables in a wok.
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How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover chicken fried rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave with a splash of water to rehydrate the rice in 30-second increments until warmed through.

How to Freeze

Let the chicken fried rice cool completely, transfer to an airtight container, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

This easy chicken fried rice recipe is a filling dinner on its own, but you can certainly amp things up with a side or two. I love Asian cucumber salad, egg drop soup, shrimp summer rolls, egg rolls, lettuce wraps, crab rangoon, everything bagel edamame, or blistered sweet peppers.

What is the best oil for fried rice?

The best oil is a neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable, canola, or avocado oil.

What is the best rice for Chinese fried rice?

Long-grain white rice works best for this recipe.

How much dry rice do I need to make 3 cups of cooked rice?

1 cup of dry rice yields 3 cups of cooked rice.

What gives Chinese fried rice its flavor?

The classic flavor of fried rice comes from the soy sauce, onions, garlic, and sesame oil.

Is chicken fried rice healthy?

This dish is not particularly healthy, so enjoy it in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

What is the secret to authentic fried rice?

The secret to authentic fried rice is to cook and chill the rice ahead of time. If you use warm, freshly cooked rice, your fried rice will turn out mushy.

Two bowls of chicken fried rice with peas and carrots.

More Fried Rice Recipes To Try

Recipe Card

Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

4.62 from 13 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Becky Hardin
Chicken fried rice in a skillet with carrots and peas.
An easy one-pan meal, that's hearty, packed with flavor and the whole family will love? Yes, please! Chicken fried rice is loaded with delicious flavors and perfect for a lip-smacking weeknight meal!
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
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Ingredients 

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into small pieces
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic 3 cloves
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 cups cooked white rice refrigerated
  • ½ cup frozen peas and carrots
  • tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 3 green onions thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

Instructions 

  • Heat ½ tablespoon of vegetable oil in a wok (or large nonstick frying pan) over medium-high heat. Add the beaten eggs and gently scramble with a rubber spatula until just softly set, 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
    3 tablespoons vegetable oil, 2 large eggs
    Fried eggs in a frying pan.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the wok. Add the chicken, sautéing until lightly brown and fully cooked, about 7 minutes.
    1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
    Fried chicken in a wok on a white background.
  • Heat another ½ tablespoon of oil in the wok, and add the onion, garlic, and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender, about 4-5 minutes.
    1 cup diced onion, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    Fried chicken in a wok on a white background.
  • Push the onion mixture to the sides of the wok. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and let it heat for a few seconds. Add the cold cooked rice, frozen peas and carrots, and soy sauce. Mix and stir-fry until the rice is heated through, about 3-4 minutes.
    3 cups cooked white rice, ½ cup frozen peas and carrots, 1½ tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
    Chicken fried rice in a frying pan.
  • Remove from the heat and stir in scrambled eggs, green onions, and sesame oil. Serve immediately and enjoy!
    3 green onions, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
    Chicken fried rice in a frying pan.

Video

Becky’s Tips

  • Make time to cook and chill the rice beforehand. This will ensure it doesn’t turn out mushy!
  • For a gluten-free version, swap the soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos.
Storage: Store chicken fried rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Calories: 449kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 32gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 154mgSodium: 849mgPotassium: 631mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1906IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 55mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

How to Make Chicken Fried Rice Step by Step

Scramble the Eggs: Heat ½ tablespoon of vegetable oil in a wok (or large nonstick frying pan) over medium-high heat. Add 2 large beaten eggs and gently scramble with a rubber spatula until just softly set, 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

Fried eggs in a frying pan.

Cook the Chicken: Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the wok. Add 1 pound of cubed boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sautéing until lightly brown and fully cooked, about 7 minutes.

Fried chicken in a wok on a white background.

Sauté the Onion and Garlic: Heat another ½ tablespoon of oil in the wok, and add 1 cup of diced onion, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, and ½ teaspoon of kosher salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender, about 4-5 minutes.

Fried chicken in a wok on a white background.

Add the Rice and Veggies: Push the onion mixture to the sides of the wok. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and let it heat for a few seconds. Then, add 3 cups of cold cooked rice, ½ cup of frozen peas and carrots, and 1½ tablespoons of low-sodium soy sauce. Mix and stir-fry until the rice is heated through, about 3-4 minutes.

Chicken fried rice in a frying pan.

Stir in the Cooked Egg: Remove from the heat and stir in scrambled eggs, 3 thinly sliced green onions, and 1 teaspoon of toasted sesame oil. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Chicken fried rice in a frying pan.

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.62 from 13 votes (13 ratings without comment)
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Marsha L Estes
Marsha L Estes
April 13, 2022 4:27 pm

cant print the recipe on my side, in fact I am having trouble printing a lot of your recipes and I dont know why and my printer is up to date it has to be on your side and I dont usually have trouble! this one and the latest garlice chicken one I can not seem to print

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
April 25, 2022 11:50 am
Reply to  Marsha L Estes

There is a print option on the recipe card!