This easy chicken fried rice recipe is loaded with veggies and flavor. It's totally better than takeout, this version of chicken fried rice is easy to make, tastes great and perfect for meal prep. Be sure to watch the recipe video too!
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Having a delicious and easy chicken fried rice recipe in your recipe rolodex comes in handy.
Chicken fried rice is the ultimate one-pot wonder filled with carbohydrates, protein, veggies and fat to keep you satisfied and full. It’s a meal in itself that’s just so easy to make.
It’s also super economical, filled with pantry and freezer staple ingredients and it is so versatile.
Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftovers you have.
Ingredients for easy chicken fried rice
Chicken Fried Rice comes together relatively quickly so you want to make sure you have all of your ingredients chopped and prepped before you start cooking. (This includes having the rice cooked as well).
This recipe uses some pantry staple seasonings and spices and proteins that you may have stashed in the freezer.
White rice: Jasmine or basmati rice. You will cook 2 cups rice which yields ~4 cups cooked rice.
If you have leftover rice, chicken fried rice is a great way to turn it into an easy and delicious meal.
Chicken: 1 large boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into small bite sized pieces is plenty for this chicken fried rice. Once you chop it up, it’s surprisingly a lot of chicken.
Eggs: 3 large eggs
Bacon: 4 strips of bacon.
Carrots: 2 large carrots are needed, peeled and chopped into a small dice/uniform squares. A small dice is measured at ¼-inch on all sides.
How to cut the carrots: First cut the carrot into batonnets by cutting off both ends of the carrot and then both sides so you no have a rectangle. Take your rectangular carrot and cut it into ¼” slabs. Then gather the sticks and cut down into small pieces that are ¼-inch squares.
White onion: 1/2 of a white onion, diced.
Canola oil: Can also use vegetable oil. These oils are typically used due to their high smoke points and neutral flavors.
Scallions: 1 small bunch
Edamame: Edamame is a great addition to fried rice, especially if you aren’t a fan of peas!
Other seasonings used: sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic powder, minced garlic, salt, pepper, chicken bouillon and unsalted butter.
How to make chicken fried rice
Heat 2 Tbsp. canola oil in a wok, large cast-iron skillet or a non-stick pan over high heat.
Once hot, add in the eggs and scramble them. Then add in the chopped bacon pieces and cook 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add in the chicken pieces and cook another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. The chicken won’t be fully cooked yet, that’s OK.
Add in the white onions and carrots. Stir. Then, add in the salt, pepper, garlic powder, chicken bouillon, sesame oil, soy sauce and garlic. Cook this all on high heat still for about 3 minutes.
Next, add in the cooked white rice, scallions, butter and edamame, stir. Add more soy sauce if needed.
Divide rice among bowls and serve. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds.
Tips to make the best chicken fried rice
If you don’t have a wok or well-seasoned cast-iron skillet, using a non-stick pan; you won’t get the same result exactly, but you don’t want the eggs to stick to the pan!
Using leftover rice or cold rice: Using “old” or leftover rice is helpful to giving your fried rice the perfect texture.
If you start with warm rice just cooked from your rice-cooker your fried rice may run the risk of turning out soggy. So, cook the rice ahead of time or use up any leftovers in the fridge.
Don’t skip out on the butter. It makes everything brown up perfectly and tastes delicious of course!
Add all the veggies: whatever you got! Broccoli, mushrooms, bell peppers, peas, cabbage, asparagus, snow peas, etc.
High heat is a must: Notice how the recipe never says to turn the heat down or low. They key is to keep the pan nice and hot!
Taste and adjust: More soy sauce at the end? Sriracha? More green onion? Add what you need.
You'll love this Easy Chicken Fried Rice especially when you want a quick meal with just a few ingredients. Learn how to make chicken fried rice today!
Heat 2 Tbsp. canola oil in a wok, large cast-iron skillet or a non-stick pan over high heat. Once hot, add in the eggs and scramble them. Then add in the chopped bacon pieces and cook 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add in the chicken pieces and cook another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. The chicken won't be fully cooked yet, that's OK.
Add in the white onions and carrots. Stir. Then, add in the salt, pepper, garlic powder, chicken bouillon, sesame oil, soy sauce and garlic. Cook this all on high heat still for about 3 minutes.
Next, add in the cooked white rice, scallions, butter and edamame, stir. Add more soy sauce if needed. Divide rice among bowls and serve. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds.
Video
Notes
Using leftover rice or cold rice: Using “old” or leftover rice is helpful to giving your fried rice the perfect texture.
2 cups uncooked white rice typically yields 6 cups cooked rice.
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Wonderful with or without chicken!
Thank you so much! 🙂
I love fried rice. This is one of the most delicious chicken fried rice. I think I am going to make one in my kitchen.
Love that nothing is ever wasted as I can use any leftover meats and veggies! So tasty!
this looks amazing you can’t beat a chicken fried rice for dinner, love meals like this!
Oh my gosh you had me at bacon. This is on my list of things to make this week!
I just love that you can add in what you have on hand to the base recipe to use what you have. So good, and practical!
Yes, exactly I agree! Thank you so much!