Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

Chicken fried rice is a kind of stir-fried food made from cooked rice, chicken, a scrambled egg and vegetables, all of which are seasoned with soy sauce; the essential point is to use cold, day-old rice since cold rice is drier and therefore the grains fry up and become crisp rather than sticking together or becoming mushy.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

•One pan and about 25 minutes
•Uses leftover rice and cooked chicken
•Crispy golden edges
•Pantry-friendly ingredients
•Easy to customize with whatever is in the fridge
•Better than most takeout

Easy Chicken Fried Rice Recipe (Crispy, Savory & Ready in 25 Minutes)

Make easy chicken fried rice with cold rice, eggs, peas and carrots in one pan. Crispy edges, savory soy-oyster flavour and ready in 25 minutes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 3

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• Ingredients

For the fried rice:

• •2 cups cooked rice cold
• •2 chicken breasts cooked and chopped into small pieces
• •3 large eggs beaten
• •1 cup frozen peas and carrots
• •1 small onion finely chopped
• •3 to 4 cloves garlic minced
• •2 tablespoons vegetable oil plus more as needed
• •Salt and pepper to taste
• For the sauce:
• •3 tablespoons soy sauce
• •2 tablespoons oyster sauce optional but recommended
• •A little sesame oil for finishing

To serve:

• •2 spring onions chopped
• •Chili flakes optional

Method

 

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cool the rice

1. By using rice that has been cooked the day before. If the rice is fresh, place it on a plate and refrigerate it for 30 to 60 minutes or freeze it for about 20 minutes.

Break the eggs

1. And heat a large pan or wok until it is very hot, then add a small amount of oil and scramble the eggs until they are just set before removing them to a plate.

Put the chicken

1. In and brown it; then add a further tablespoon of oil and the chicken, and let it stay for a minute or two until it turns golden, after which stir it. Season it lightly with salt and pepper.

Add the vegetables

1. Stir in the onion and garlic for about 30 seconds and then add the peas and carrots and cook them for about a minute until they are warmed through.

Get the rice crisp.

1. Add the rice to the hot pan and press it down. Leave it for about a minute until it has crisped, then turn it over, break it up and carry out this procedure a few times.

Season.

1. Pour the soy sauce and oyster sauce over the eggs and mix them until they are evenly coated. Put the eggs back in, drizzle them with sesame oil and stir once more. Taste and adjust.

Serve it

1. And, if you desire, cover with spring onions and chili flakes.

Tips for the Best Fried Rice

1. •Use rice that has been cooled down. If you use fresh rice it will be too wet and tend to stick together.
2. Use a high heat; some smoke is normal.
3. Don’t overcrowd the pan; if you do, the rice will steam so cook in two batches in a small pan.
4. Cook the food in a neutral oil and hold back the sesame oil for use at the end, since it will burn if the heat is high.
5. Leave the rice alone instead; it’s the act of pressing and waiting that gives it a crispy texture.
6. In your test note, state the kind of rice you used and the length of time it stayed in the fridge.

What to Serve with Chicken Fried Rice

1. It can be served as a complete meal; to complete the meal, you could add egg drop soup, spring rolls, a cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar or a simple salad with a sesame dressing.

Easy Variations

1. Either shrimp or ham: use some leftover cooked shrimp or cooked ham instead of chicken.
2. Include more vegetables such as diced bell peppers, sweet corn or mushrooms.
3. •Spicy: add sriracha or chili garlic sauce.
4. For vegetarians, substitute the chicken with tofu or add more vegetables and eggs.

Storage and Reheating

1. You should store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for a maximum of three days. To restore the crisp texture, reheat them in a pan that is heated and add a small amount of oil. Although you can use the microwave, it will cause the rice to soften. After cooking, cool the rice quickly and then refrigerate it immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my fried rice turn out mushy?

1. The rice was too fresh or wet, or the pan was overcrowded. Use cold rice and cook in batches.

Can I use fresh rice?

1. Yes, if you spread it out and chill or freeze it briefly first.

Can I use raw chicken?

1. Yes. Cut it small and cook it through before adding the vegetables.

What can I use instead of oyster sauce?

1. Use a bit more soy sauce, or a splash of hoisin.

How can I make it spicier?

1. Add chili flakes, sriracha or chili garlic sauce at the end.

Notes

Good fried rice comes down to cold rice, a hot pan and patience. Once you have the method, you can use whatever vegetables and protein you have. Made it? Tell us in the comments how your rice turned out.