Easy Chicken Fried Rice Flavorful Weeknight Meal

Want a quick and tasty dinner? This Easy Chicken Fried Rice is the answer! In just a few steps, you can whip up a flavorful meal using simple ingredients. I’ll show you how to make this dish with mix-and-match options for veggies and proteins. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe keeps everyone satisfied. Let’s dive into the easy steps to make your dinner a hit!

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

– 2 cups cooked jasmine rice (preferably day-old)

– 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded or diced

– 2 cups mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)

– 3 green onions, chopped

– 2 eggs, lightly beaten

– 3 tablespoons soy sauce

– 1 tablespoon sesame oil

– 2 cloves garlic, minced

– Salt and pepper to taste

– Optional: Sriracha for serving

To make easy chicken fried rice, you need simple, fresh ingredients. Using day-old rice helps keep the dish from getting mushy. Fresh vegetables add color and crunch. Chicken provides protein and makes the meal filling. You can use leftover chicken for quick prep.

The green onions give a nice crunch and fresh flavor. Eggs add richness and help bind everything together. Soy sauce brings in a savory taste, while sesame oil adds a nice nutty aroma. Garlic gives a lovely depth of flavor, making your fried rice even better.

Feel free to add Sriracha for a spicy kick! The balance of these ingredients is what makes this dish a favorite for weeknight dinners. If you want the full recipe, check the section below.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation of Ingredients

First, make sure your rice is cold. Cold rice prevents mushiness when cooked. Next, chop the green onions and get all your ingredients ready. You want everything at hand when you start cooking.

Cooking the Eggs

In a large skillet, heat one tablespoon of sesame oil over medium heat. Add the beaten eggs. Scramble the eggs until they are fully cooked. Once done, set the eggs aside for later use.

Sautéing Aromatics

Now, add minced garlic to the same skillet. Sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds. You want it to be fragrant, but not burnt.

Adding Chicken and Vegetables

Mix in your cooked chicken and the mixed vegetables. Cook this for about 3 to 4 minutes. You want the vegetables warmed through and the chicken heated.

Incorporating Rice

Add the cold rice to the skillet next. Make sure to break up any clumps as you stir-fry. Cook it for 4 to 5 minutes, mixing well with the chicken and vegetables.

Seasoning the Rice

Pour soy sauce over the rice mixture. Stir it well so the soy sauce coats everything evenly. Add salt and pepper to your taste.

Final Touches

Finally, fold in the scrambled eggs and the chopped green onions. Heat everything briefly to blend the flavors. Your easy chicken fried rice is now ready to serve! Don’t forget to check out the Full Recipe for more details.

Tips & Tricks

Best Rice to Use

Using day-old jasmine rice is key. It has the right texture. Freshly cooked rice can be too soft. Day-old rice is firmer and less sticky. This helps your fried rice stay separate and fluffy.

Achieving the Right Flavor

Soy sauce is a must for rich flavor. It adds umami that enhances the dish. You can also add garlic, ginger, or sesame oil. These ingredients boost the taste even more. Feel free to experiment with spices. Each small change can create a new flavor.

Preventing Sticky Rice

To avoid sticky rice, chill or steam it first. Cold rice breaks apart easily. If you use warm rice, it clumps together. This can ruin your fried rice. Make sure to follow this step for the best results.

Variations

Protein Alternatives

You can switch up the protein in your fried rice. Shrimp, tofu, or pork work well. Each option brings its own taste and texture. If you like seafood, shrimp adds a sweet touch. Tofu is great for a plant-based meal. Just cube it and cook it until golden. For pork, try diced ham or cooked pulled pork. Each choice keeps the dish exciting and new.

Vegetable Mix-ins

You can customize the veggies in your fried rice. Options like bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas add color and flavor. You can use what you have on hand. Just chop them small so they cook evenly. Mixing in different vegetables adds nutrients and makes the dish fun. Try adding spinach for a pop of green or mushrooms for earthiness.

Spicy Additions

If you like heat, add chili paste or fresh peppers. Sriracha is a great choice for a kick. Mix it in while cooking for a warm flavor. You can also add diced jalapeños for fresh spice. Adjust the amount to suit your taste. A little spice can wake up the whole dish and make it even better.

For more details, check out the Full Recipe.

Storage Info

Refrigeration Guidelines

Store your chicken fried rice in airtight containers. This keeps it fresh and tasty. Make sure it cools before sealing. You can keep it in the fridge for up to three days. When you store it well, it helps keep the flavors strong.

Freezing Instructions

You can freeze chicken fried rice for later use. First, let it cool completely. Then, pack it in freezer-safe bags. Remove as much air as you can to prevent freezer burn. It can stay in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat, simply thaw it in the fridge overnight.

Reheating Tips

To reheat without losing texture, use a skillet. Heat it on medium-low and add a splash of water. This adds moisture and helps the rice warm evenly. Stir it often for about five to seven minutes. You can also use the microwave. Just cover it with a damp paper towel. This keeps it from drying out. Enjoy your meal as if it’s freshly made!

If you want to make this dish, check out the Full Recipe.

FAQs

Can I use other types of rice?

Yes, you can use other rice types. Brown rice adds a nutty flavor. Basmati rice gives a fragrant touch. Both options can work well in this dish. Just make sure they are cooked properly.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free soy sauce. Many brands offer great options. Check labels to find one that tastes good. This small swap keeps the flavor intact.

How can I make it vegetarian?

You can easily make this fried rice vegetarian. Swap out chicken for tofu or tempeh. Add extra veggies like bell peppers, broccoli, or mushrooms. This adds flavor and texture to your meal.

What’s the nutritional content?

This chicken fried rice is a balanced meal. A serving has about 400 calories. It offers around 20 grams of protein. You also get essential vitamins from vegetables. It’s filling and nutritious.

How do I make fried rice without a wok?

No wok? No problem! You can use a large skillet or frying pan. Just ensure it’s big enough to hold all the ingredients. Stir well to avoid burning and stickiness.

Full Recipe

For the complete recipe, check out the [Full Recipe]. Enjoy making this easy chicken fried rice!

This blog post covered how to make simple chicken fried rice. You learned about key ingredients like jasmine rice and mixed vegetables. The steps to prepare and cook were laid out clearly. I shared tips to improve flavor and texture and offered some fun variations. Finally, you discovered storage and reheating methods.

With this guide, you can enjoy a tasty meal or use leftovers wisely. Happy cooking!

- 2 cups cooked jasmine rice (preferably day-old) - 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded or diced - 2 cups mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn) - 3 green onions, chopped - 2 eggs, lightly beaten - 3 tablespoons soy sauce - 1 tablespoon sesame oil - 2 cloves garlic, minced - Salt and pepper to taste - Optional: Sriracha for serving To make easy chicken fried rice, you need simple, fresh ingredients. Using day-old rice helps keep the dish from getting mushy. Fresh vegetables add color and crunch. Chicken provides protein and makes the meal filling. You can use leftover chicken for quick prep. The green onions give a nice crunch and fresh flavor. Eggs add richness and help bind everything together. Soy sauce brings in a savory taste, while sesame oil adds a nice nutty aroma. Garlic gives a lovely depth of flavor, making your fried rice even better. Feel free to add Sriracha for a spicy kick! The balance of these ingredients is what makes this dish a favorite for weeknight dinners. If you want the full recipe, check the section below. First, make sure your rice is cold. Cold rice prevents mushiness when cooked. Next, chop the green onions and get all your ingredients ready. You want everything at hand when you start cooking. In a large skillet, heat one tablespoon of sesame oil over medium heat. Add the beaten eggs. Scramble the eggs until they are fully cooked. Once done, set the eggs aside for later use. Now, add minced garlic to the same skillet. Sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds. You want it to be fragrant, but not burnt. Mix in your cooked chicken and the mixed vegetables. Cook this for about 3 to 4 minutes. You want the vegetables warmed through and the chicken heated. Add the cold rice to the skillet next. Make sure to break up any clumps as you stir-fry. Cook it for 4 to 5 minutes, mixing well with the chicken and vegetables. Pour soy sauce over the rice mixture. Stir it well so the soy sauce coats everything evenly. Add salt and pepper to your taste. Finally, fold in the scrambled eggs and the chopped green onions. Heat everything briefly to blend the flavors. Your easy chicken fried rice is now ready to serve! Don't forget to check out the Full Recipe for more details. Using day-old jasmine rice is key. It has the right texture. Freshly cooked rice can be too soft. Day-old rice is firmer and less sticky. This helps your fried rice stay separate and fluffy. Soy sauce is a must for rich flavor. It adds umami that enhances the dish. You can also add garlic, ginger, or sesame oil. These ingredients boost the taste even more. Feel free to experiment with spices. Each small change can create a new flavor. To avoid sticky rice, chill or steam it first. Cold rice breaks apart easily. If you use warm rice, it clumps together. This can ruin your fried rice. Make sure to follow this step for the best results. {{image_2}} You can switch up the protein in your fried rice. Shrimp, tofu, or pork work well. Each option brings its own taste and texture. If you like seafood, shrimp adds a sweet touch. Tofu is great for a plant-based meal. Just cube it and cook it until golden. For pork, try diced ham or cooked pulled pork. Each choice keeps the dish exciting and new. You can customize the veggies in your fried rice. Options like bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas add color and flavor. You can use what you have on hand. Just chop them small so they cook evenly. Mixing in different vegetables adds nutrients and makes the dish fun. Try adding spinach for a pop of green or mushrooms for earthiness. If you like heat, add chili paste or fresh peppers. Sriracha is a great choice for a kick. Mix it in while cooking for a warm flavor. You can also add diced jalapeños for fresh spice. Adjust the amount to suit your taste. A little spice can wake up the whole dish and make it even better. For more details, check out the Full Recipe. Store your chicken fried rice in airtight containers. This keeps it fresh and tasty. Make sure it cools before sealing. You can keep it in the fridge for up to three days. When you store it well, it helps keep the flavors strong. You can freeze chicken fried rice for later use. First, let it cool completely. Then, pack it in freezer-safe bags. Remove as much air as you can to prevent freezer burn. It can stay in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat, simply thaw it in the fridge overnight. To reheat without losing texture, use a skillet. Heat it on medium-low and add a splash of water. This adds moisture and helps the rice warm evenly. Stir it often for about five to seven minutes. You can also use the microwave. Just cover it with a damp paper towel. This keeps it from drying out. Enjoy your meal as if it’s freshly made! If you want to make this dish, check out the Full Recipe. Yes, you can use other rice types. Brown rice adds a nutty flavor. Basmati rice gives a fragrant touch. Both options can work well in this dish. Just make sure they are cooked properly. To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free soy sauce. Many brands offer great options. Check labels to find one that tastes good. This small swap keeps the flavor intact. You can easily make this fried rice vegetarian. Swap out chicken for tofu or tempeh. Add extra veggies like bell peppers, broccoli, or mushrooms. This adds flavor and texture to your meal. This chicken fried rice is a balanced meal. A serving has about 400 calories. It offers around 20 grams of protein. You also get essential vitamins from vegetables. It’s filling and nutritious. No wok? No problem! You can use a large skillet or frying pan. Just ensure it’s big enough to hold all the ingredients. Stir well to avoid burning and stickiness. For the complete recipe, check out the [Full Recipe]. Enjoy making this easy chicken fried rice! This blog post covered how to make simple chicken fried rice. You learned about key ingredients like jasmine rice and mixed vegetables. The steps to prepare and cook were laid out clearly. I shared tips to improve flavor and texture and offered some fun variations. Finally, you discovered storage and reheating methods. With this guide, you can enjoy a tasty meal or use leftovers wisely. Happy cooking!

Easy Chicken Fried Rice

Discover the ultimate recipe for Flavorful Chicken Fried Rice that’s sure to impress! This delicious dish combines tender chicken, vibrant veggies, and fluffy jasmine rice, all sautéed to perfection. It's quick and easy, perfect for a weeknight dinner or meal prep. Ready to tantalize your taste buds? Click through to explore the full recipe and learn how to whip up this tasty dish in no time!

Ingredients
  

2 cups cooked jasmine rice (preferably day-old)

1 cup cooked chicken, shredded or diced

2 cups mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)

3 green onions, chopped

2 eggs, lightly beaten

3 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon sesame oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

Salt and pepper to taste

Optional: Sriracha for serving

Instructions
 

Prepare the Ingredients: Ensure your rice is cold to prevent it from becoming mushy. Chop the green onions, and have all other ingredients ready for cooking.

    Cook the Eggs: In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil over medium heat. Add the beaten eggs and scramble until fully cooked. Remove the eggs from the pan and set aside.

      Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add the remaining sesame oil and minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

        Add Chicken and Veggies: Stir in the cooked chicken and mixed vegetables. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, until the vegetables are warmed through.

          Incorporate Rice: Add the cold rice to the skillet, breaking up any clumps. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes, ensuring the rice gets well mixed with the chicken and veggies.

            Season the Rice: Pour the soy sauce over the rice mixture, stirring to evenly distribute. Add salt and pepper to taste.

              Return the Eggs: Gently fold in the scrambled eggs and chopped green onions. Cook for another minute on low heat to integrate all flavors.

                Serve: Remove from heat and serve hot. Drizzle with Sriracha for an extra kick, if desired.

                  Prep Time, Total Time, Servings: 10 mins | 20 mins | Serves 4

                    Leave a Comment

                    Recipe Rating