Easy Chicken Fried Rice

This recipe for Chicken Fried Rice is taste better than take out fried rice. It is easily made in a skillet for an easy one pot meal. This Chicken Fried Rice has so much flavor and loaded with chicken. One of our favorite rice bowl recipes.

Make sure to also check out Ground Chicken Fried Rice Recipe. You might also like our Kung Pao Chicken, Kimchi Fried Rice, Easy Dirty Rice Recipe, or Cheesy Chicken and Rice Skillet Recipe.

Why We Love This Recipe

Fried rice is one of our favorite main dish around here. It is so quick and easy and has everything you need for a great meal. Clean up is so easy and the meal is fast and simple.

Chicken Fried Rice is an easy meal to make using leftover rice and chicken. It is my go-to meal as you can serve it by itself or it compliments many Asian inspired dishes. My family loves this chicken fried rice recipe.

What’s in Chicken Fried Rice?

Chicken Fried Rice is a very simple, easy to meal to make. My kids can even mix this together with our leftovers. These ingredients are simple and you can easily use what you have on hand.

For a Classic Chicken Fried Rice this is what we use:

• Boneless Chicken Breast, cooked chicken or uncooked chicken
• Cooking Oil – You can use sesame oil or vegetable oil
• Frozen Peas and Carrots blend – this is available in a frozen package at the store
• Eggs
• Cooked Rice
• Soy Sauce
• Salt and Pepper
• Green Onions

Ingredients

• Skinless Chicken Breasts – Feel free to also cook skinless chicken thighs.
• Cooked White Rice – I like to use leftover rice
• Low Sodium Soy Sauce – Check out these Best Soy Sauce Substitute

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Variation Ideas

• Change the Rice – You can use long grain rice, brown rice, cauliflower rice or jasmine rice instead. We have made minute rice and it still turned out delicioius.
• Use Different Vegetables – You can add in mushrooms, snow peas, broccoli, bell peppers and water chestnuts.
• Add in Nuts – Add in chopped peanuts or cashews for some crunch. We also like adding in toasted sesame seeds.
• Remove the chicken – You can also eat this fried rice without any chicken. It will taste amazing.
• Soy Sauce Substitution – You can substitute soy sauce for coconut aminos.
• Change Meat – Instead of making this chicken use leftover ham, steak, or ground beef.

How to Make Chicken Fried Rice

• Step 1 – In a large skillet or wok over medium high heat, sauté the chicken in the sesame and vegetable oil. This only takes a few minutes so it is super fast and easy.

• Step 2 – Put the chicken aside on a separate plate once this is cooked.

• Step 3 – Add the carrots and peas to the pan and saute. Push them to one side of the pan so you will have room to scramble the eggs.

• Step 4 – Now it is time to add all that delicious chicken back to the skillet to stir fry. Add the rice and seasonings and stir to combine.

• Step 5 – This is a really simple dinner idea and only one pan to clean.

Expert Tips

• Top with Green Onions – I love topping the chicken fried rice with sliced green onions before serving.
• Use Different Oil – You can easily use avocado oil, canola oil or coconut oil instead of the vegetable oil in this recipe.
• Pre Cooked Rice is Best – This fried rice recipe is best to made with cold rice and is the secret ingredient. I usually use leftover rice and it’s makes the best fried rice.
• Change the Protein – You can change the protein to salmon, shrimp, pork are all great option.
• Gluten Free – If you want to make this gluten free, use a gluten free soy sauce.
• Make Low carb – for a lower carb options, use cauliflower rice.

What to Serve with Chicken Fried Rice?

There are many sides that you can fix with Chicken Fried Rice. Since this recipe is a complete meal, you can keep it simple or add more protein or vegetables.

• Egg Drop Soup
• Egg Rolls
• Simple Green Salad
• Steamed Vegetables

Storing Instructions

• Storing – Storing Fried Rice is easy to do and it taste even better leftover. Store in a air tight container for up to 5 days.
• Reheating – Reheat in the microwave in 30 second intervals for lunch the next day.
• Freezing – Chicken Fried Rice also freezes great. Place in an freezer safe container and place in the freezer. Chicken Fried Rice will freeze for up to 4 months.