Best Chicken Fried Rice
A quick, flavorful stir-fry with tender chicken, crisp veggies, and a perfect balance of soy sauce and sesame oil. This chinese-inspired asian ready in about 35 minutes pairs cooked and cooled white rice, vegetable oil, large, beaten eggs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 cups, cooked and cooled white rice
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 large, beaten eggs
- 6 oz, diced chicken breast
- 1 cup, frozen peas and carrots
- 3, sliced green onions
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp ginger powder
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 6 oz diced chicken breast and cook for 5 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, scramble 2 beaten eggs until fully cooked, then break into small pieces and set aside with the chicken.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup frozen peas and carrots to the skillet and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until thawed and tender.
- Step 4: Add 3 cups cooled white rice and stir to combine. Mix in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1/2 tsp sesame oil, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp ginger powder. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until rice is heated through and begins to form clumps.
- Step 5: Stir in cooked chicken and scrambled eggs, then sprinkle with 1/4 cup sliced green onions. Cook for 1 more minute and serve hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best Chicken Fried Rice take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Best Chicken Fried Rice?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cooked and cooled white rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best Chicken Fried Rice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Best Chicken Fried Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Best Chicken Fried Rice?
Chinese asian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
