Chicken Fried Rice is a classic Chinese dish that combines ease, speed, and bold flavors in one delicious package. It is typically made with boneless chicken, aromatic vegetables, rice, and basic seasonings. This homemade Chicken Fried Rice recipe is one of the best stir-fry dishes to try and can be ready in under 30 minutes.
With just a few simple ingredients and a few short steps, you can enjoy a comforting lunch or dinner. Give it a try and savor the delicious flavors of this classic dish.
This recipe for Chicken Fried Rice includes easy, step-by-step instructions to guide you through the cooking process at home. In addition, a detailed video of the recipe is provided to ensure that you have a clear understanding of each step. Follow these instructions and watch the video to make this tasty dish with ease.
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What is Chicken Fried Rice?
Chicken Fried Rice is a flavorful Chinese stir-fry dish that is quick and easy to make. It is typically made with boneless chicken, vegetables, eggs, rice, and aromatics. This homemade version is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner and is one of the best rice recipes out there.
As with many rice recipes, Chicken Fried Rice is a very popular Asian dish. It can be made quickly if you have leftover vegetables, rice, and proteins like chicken, shrimp, and eggs. This versatile dish allows you to mix and match or add your favorite veggies or proteins using whatever ingredients you have available.
This Chicken Fried Rice stands out due to its marinade of Worcestershire, soy, and chili sauce with onion, pepper, and garlic powder. This combination imparts an umami flavor with a hint of heat to the chicken. We stir-fry the chicken in a wok over high heat and combine it with aromatics, vegetables, eggs, and rice to create a delicious and satisfying meal.
Overall, this Chicken Fried Rice is a must-try recipe that will delight your taste buds, especially on a busy weeknight. It's a quick and easy meal in under 30 minutes that will satisfy your cravings for a restaurant-style Chinese dish at home. So don't wait any longer, give this recipe a try and enjoy the deliciousness!
Ingredients
To make this delicious Chicken Fried Rice, you'll need a few key ingredients that can typically be found at your local Asian grocery store. These include basic pantry seasonings, fresh produce, and some Asian sauces. Here's a list of what you'll need.
For Marination
Below are the ingredients you will need for marination.
- Chicken - Boneless chicken breasts or thighs are suitable for this recipe, particularly for stir-frying dishes. Cutting them into small, bite-sized pieces will also help them cook faster
- Seasoning Powders - Basic seasoning powders such as onion, garlic, and black pepper can add a warm, garlicky, and earthy flavor to the marinade
- Sauces - Worcestershire sauce, red chili sauce, and soy sauce can contribute an authentic Chinese flavor to the marinade
For Stir-Frying
Below are the ingredients you will need for stir-frying.
- Aromatics - Aromatics, such as onion and garlic, can add a warm, sweet, and garlicky flavor to the fried rice. Garnishing the stir-fried rice with green onions can also add flavor to the final dish
- Veggies - Green peas and carrots are used in this recipe for stir-frying, but other vegetables such as mushrooms, broccoli, and cauliflower can also be used
- Rice - Leftover cooked rice is usually best for making fried rice, as it becomes firm once it is cooled. However, you can also cook the rice freshly and allow it to cool for at least 2 to 3 hours to achieve a similar result
- Vinegar - Vinegar adds a slightly sour and tangy taste to the rice
- Oil - Use sesame oil to give your fried rice a rustic and earthy flavor, or try using other cooking oils such as peanut oil or canola oil
For a complete list of ingredients, please refer to the recipe card below.
How to make Chicken Fried Rice at Home?
Get ready to cook up a delicious and satisfying meal with this Chicken Fried Rice recipe! This popular Chinese dish is enjoyed by people all around the world at restaurants, households, and street vendors.
While there are many variations, the recipe shared here is a basic and one of the best ways to make Chicken Fried Rice at home. Its perfectly balanced flavors make it suitable for all ages to enjoy.
This recipe yields up to 4 servings on its own, but you can easily scale up to 5 servings if served with roasted and baked vegetables, salads, fried chicken dishes, or other healthy sides of your choice.
For detailed instructions on making this recipe, see the recipe card below. It includes step-by-step instructions with photos and a video. Here is a brief overview of the steps to follow.
Marinate Chicken
- Marinate Chicken - To make chicken fried rice, start by mixing boneless chicken with garlic powder, black pepper, salt, Worcestershire sauce, chili, and soy sauce in a bowl. Allow the chicken to marinate for about 10 minutes while you prepare the vegetables
Prep Chicken Fried Rice
- Fry the Chicken - In a wok over high heat, add sesame oil and spread the marinated chicken in a single layer. Fry for 45 to 60 seconds
- Remove and Reserve - Stir fry the chicken until all sides are pale and golden in color, then set it aside
- Stir Fry the Aromatics - In the same wok, add a tablespoon of oil and stir-fry onion, garlic, and green onions until fragrant
- Add Veggies - Add green peas, carrots, and season with salt, then stir fry until they are crisp and tender about 1 to 2 minutes
- Scramble the Egg - Make a space in the center of the wok and add eggs. Scramble them until they are slightly set
- Combine Rice and Chicken - Add rice, fried chicken, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and salt. Stir everything to combine and fry for 1 minute on high heat
- Garnish - To finish, garnish the chicken fried rice with green onions and remove it from the heat
- Serve - Serve the Chicken Fried Rice as is, or with ketchup, chicken dishes, or appetizers of your choice for a comforting lunch or dinner
Tips
- Marinate the Chicken - Marinating the chicken with basic seasonings and sauces will add umami flavors similar to those found in restaurant dishes
- Use Fresh Ingredients - Using fresh produce will enhance the flavor and taste of the dish
- Cooked Rice - Using day-old rice, which is tender and crisp without excess moisture, works well for making fried rice. If using freshly cooked rice, allow it to rest for 2-3 hours in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Doing this way will prevent it from becoming mushy when stir-fried
- Best Rice - White Rice, Basmati Rice, Jasmine Rice, and Brown Rice are all suitable options for stir-frying
- Veggies - Vegetables like peas, carrots, mushrooms, and broccoli are good choices for stir-frying and add flavor and nutrition to the dish
- Prep Ahead- Prepare all ingredients in advance before starting to stir fry, as the process moves quickly
- Temperature - Keep the heat of the wok or pan high throughout the stir-frying process and use a good quality wok or non-stick pan for the best results
Storage Suggestions
This chicken fried rice tastes best when served warm immediately after it is prepared. If you prefer, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
Serving Suggestions
Chicken Fried Rice is already bursting with flavors from vegetables, eggs, and chicken, but it can be even more delicious when paired with the right sides. Try serving it with ketchup, other chicken dishes, or your favorite sides for an added flavor boost. For a truly authentic Asian food experience, consider serving it with dishes like General Tso's chicken, orange chicken, baked tofu, honey garlic chicken breast, or egg foo young. Your taste buds will thank you for the delicious combination.
Related Recipes
Looking for more rice recipe ideas? Check out the similar recipes below, or browse through our tasty Chinese, one-pot meals, and stir-fry recipes for even more inspiration. With so many delicious options to choose from, you'll be sure to find something you love!
- Fried Rice
- Shrimp Fried Rice
- Schezwan Fried Rice
- Egg Fried Rice
- Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice)
- Vegetable Fried Rice
- One Pot Chicken and Rice
- Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Spanish Rice (Mexican Rice)
Chicken Fried Rice Recipe Video
I have also shared a detailed video of a Chicken Fried Rice recipe with you below. I hope that this will be a helpful resource as you work to create a delicious Chinese dish at home. You can also find this recipe in a story format.
Chicken Fried Rice
Ingredients
For Marination
- 0.75 lb Boneless Chicken, bite size pieces
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Black Pepper Powder
- 1 tbsp Soy Sauce, low sodium
- 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tsp Chili Sauce
- ½ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Onion Powder, optional
For Stir Frying
- 4 cups Cooked Rice
- 3 tbsp Onion, chopped
- 2 tsp Garlic, chopped
- 3 tsp Green Onion, chopped
- ¼ cup Green Peas
- ¼ cup Carrot, chopped
- ½ tsp Black Pepper Powder
- 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tsp Rice Vinegar
- 3 tbsp Soy Sauce, low sodium
- Salt, as needed
- 3 tbsp Sesame Oil, 2 tbsp for chicken + 1 tbsp for Stir frying
- Green Onions, to garnish
Instructions
To make Chicken Fried Rice
- To make chicken fried rice, start by mixing boneless chicken with garlic powder, black pepper, salt, Worcestershire sauce, chili, and soy sauce in a bowl. Allow the chicken to marinate for about 10 minutes while you prepare the vegetables
- In a wok over high heat, add sesame oil and spread the marinated chicken in a single layer. Fry for 45 to 60 seconds
- Stir fry the chicken until all sides are pale and golden in color, then set it aside
- In the same wok, add a tablespoon of oil and stir-fry onion, garlic, and green onions until fragrant
- Add green peas, carrots, and season with salt, then stir fry until they are crisp and tender about 1 to 2 minutes
- Make a space in the center of the wok and add eggs. Scramble them until they are slightly set
- Add rice, fried chicken, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and salt. Stir everything to combine and fry for 1 minute on high heat
- To finish, garnish the Chicken Fried Rice with green onions and remove it from the heat
To Serve
- Serve the Chicken Fried Rice as is, or with ketchup, chicken dishes, or appetizers of your choice for a comforting lunch or dinner
Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
- Marinate the Chicken - Marinating the chicken with basic seasonings and sauces will add umami flavors similar to those found in restaurant dishes
- Use Fresh Ingredients - Using fresh produce will enhance the flavor and taste of the dish
- Cooked Rice - Using day-old rice, which is tender and crisp without excess moisture, works well for making fried rice. If using freshly cooked rice, allow it to rest for 2-3 hours in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Doing this way will prevent it from becoming mushy when stir-fried
- Best Rice - White rice, basmati rice, jasmine rice, and brown rice are all suitable options for stir-frying
- Veggies - Vegetables like peas, carrots, mushrooms, and broccoli are good choices for stir-frying and add flavor and nutrition to the dish
- Prep Ahead- Prepare all ingredients in advance before starting to stir fry, as the process moves quickly
- Temperature - Keep the heat of the wok or pan high throughout the stir-frying process and use a good quality wok or non-stick pan for the best results.
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer: We’re not nutrition experts. Nutritional info is estimated and should be used as a guide. For precise details, consult a professional.
FAQ
Chicken Fried Rice is a popular Chinese dish filled with flavor, made with boneless chicken, vegetables, aromatics, eggs, and various seasoning sauces. It is typically served as a quick lunch or dinner meal with other Chinese dishes.
Which type of rice is best for making fried rice?
White rice, basmati rice, jasmine rice, and brown rice are all suitable options for stir-frying.
While sesame oil imparts a distinct earthy and rustic flavor to the dish, you may also use any cooking oil of your preference.
It is generally considered to be a healthy dish due to its inclusion of fresh vegetables, protein-rich chicken and egg, and limited use of oil and sauces.
I hope you found the recipe enjoyable and I would appreciate hearing about your experience with it.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment and I will do my best to respond promptly. Thank you for reading and happy cooking!
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