On nights when I don’t feel like making dinner, but want to save picking up take out for the end of the week or weekend, I make Easy Chicken Fried Rice for dinner. This customizable dish is SO quick, SO easy and, although I’m showing you how to make chicken fried rice, I usually use whatever we’ve got on hand in the fridge or freezer. We blaze through a wok of it incredibly fast – it’s delicious, cheap, and did I mention quick? It takes longer for it to cool down to a temperature that Cameron doesn’t consider “spicy” than it does to actually cook!
Chicken Fried Rice Ingredients:
I can say with 99% certainty that you’ve already got all the ingredients you need to make Chicken Fried Rice on hand in your refrigerator and cupboards. You’ll need:
- White rice
- Frozen vegetables
- Garlic
- Sesame or wok oil
- Chicken breast or thighs
- Eggs
- Butter (yes, BUTTER!)
- Gluten free tamari, or soy sauce if you don’t need to eat gluten free.
Tips for Making Fried Rice:
- Use leftover rice. Cold leftover rice works great for fried rice, so don’t toss extra cooked rice if you’ve got it from a meal during the week. I’ll show you my go-to method for cooking rice fresh below.
- No chicken? No problem! This recipe is great when made with chopped shrimp, leftover steak, shredded pork, smoked rib meat, or chopped kielbasa. Or, go meatless and double up on the vegetables.
- Pump up the veggies. If you want to pump up the nutrition of this recipe even more, you can replace some of the white rice with cauliflower rice in a 1:1 ratio. Add it when sauting the frozen vegetables.
- Gluten free? If you need to eat gluten free, be sure to use gluten free soy sauce, ie gluten free tamari. My favorite brand is San-J and I prefer their low-sodium variety.
How to Make Fried Rice at Home:
Start by making the rice, or you can use 3 cups leftover cooked rice. To a small saucepan add long grain white rice (I like Lundberg Farms) plus water, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a bubble then turn the heat down to medium-low, place a lid on top, and simmer for 10 minutes. The water should just BARELY be bubbling.
Remove the pan from the heat then let it sit with the lid on for 5 minutes before fluffing the rice with a fork and spreading it out onto a plate. Rice = done!
Next heat a large wok or skillet over high heat then add sesame or wok oil. Once hot, add chopped chicken breast seasoned with salt and white pepper then stir fry until cooked through, 2-3 minutes. Remove to a plate then set aside.
Heat an additional teaspoon oil then, once hot, add frozen vegetables and stir fry until tender. Again, use whatever you’ve got in the freezer – I usually use peas and sweet corn. Add minced garlic then stir fry for another 30 seconds or so, being careful to not let it burn.
Scoot the vegetables to the side of the wok then add an egg whisked with sesame oil into the center and scramble.
Lastly, add a couple pats of butter then allow it to melt. I know, I know – butter in fried rice? Trust me – it’s DELISH!
Once melted, add the cooked chicken and rice then toss to combine and heat everything through.
Last step is to drizzle in reduced sodium gluten free Tamari (or soy sauce if you don’t need to eat gluten free) then toss again to combine.
That’s all she wrote! I like to let the fried rice cool a little before serving as you can taste the ingredients so much better when it’s not piping hot. I hope you love this super simple, quick and easy weeknight dinner recipe – enjoy!
Similar Recipes:
- Cauliflower Fried Rice >
- Sesame Chicken Fried Rice >
- Mongolian Beef Noodle Bowls >
- Potsticker Noodle Bowls >
- Kimchi Fried Rice >
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Easy Chicken Fried Rice
Description
Easy Chicken Fried Rice is a cinch to make at home with a few kitchen staples. This simple, 20 minute dish tastes just like take out!
Ingredients
- 3 cups prepared long grain rice (see notes)
- 1 chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- salt and white pepper
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 large clove garlic, pressed or minced
- 1 egg
- 3 teaspoons sesame or wok oil, divided
- 1-1/2 Tablespoons butter
- 3 - 4 Tablespoons gluten-free Reduced Sodium Tamari or soy sauce (dish will not be GF if using soy sauce)
Directions
- Whisk egg with 1 teaspoon oil in a small dish then set aside.
- Heat another teaspoon oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat. Season chicken with white pepper and salt then add to hot skillet and stir fry until cooked through. Remove to a plate then set aside.
- Heat remaining teaspoon oil in the wok then add frozen vegetables. Stir fry until tender, 1-2 minutes, then add garlic and stir fry for 30 more seconds being careful not to let it burn. Push vegetables to the side of the wok then add egg and sesame oil mixture into the center and scramble.
- Add butter then, once melted, add cooked chicken and rice and then toss to combine. Drizzle in tamari, toss to combine, then serve.
Notes
- How I make my rice: add 1 cup long grain white rice (I like Lundberg Farms) 1-3/4 cup water, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and pinch of salt to a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer then place a lid on top and turn heat down to medium-low. The water should barely be bubbling. Cook for 10 minutes then remove pan from the heat and let sit with the lid on for 5 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork then spread out onto a plate to cool. Yields: 3 cups cooked rice.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Hi, this recipe looks absolutely amazing, I have some left-over rice and I’ve been searching for a good fried rice recipe. One question, can I use fresh vegetables? I have some fresh vegetables that need using up and unfortunately I don’t buy frozen vegetables
Definitely!
the sesame chicken easy stir fry what a delight husband and i just enjoyed it so much
since we have to watch the salt and sugar this was perfect. i changed one thing
the yellow onion for the green. we like this better. didn’t change the taste.
This was amazing! The recipe was very accurate. The veggies that I chose were frozen corn, peas, and green pepper. I also just frozen a second batch of this so we will see how it freezes. Thanks for a great recipe!
My four girls, aged 15 months to eight years, are just about the pickiest eaters on the face of the planet. They actually CLEANED their plates when I fed them this AND they asked for seconds AND they asked me to make it again tomorrow night! Thanks for the awesome recipe!
HI!
I have been stuck on this sweet & sour chicken recipe I found, but it takes FOREVER to make. So, I had some extra chicken in my fridge and found your recipe. I made it before I checked responses from others, and I’m anxious to take my first bite! I’ll tell you what my daughter and I think…
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YAY!
Two thumbs up from my 3 year old and I!!!!
Thanks for the recipe!
[…] it was so fun to see our friends! We listened and sang with them. I made a new recipe for dinner {Easy Chicken Fried Rice} and it was pretty good. I made one batch but we still had some ingredients left and so C made a […]
Do you have to use sesame oil? We don’t have any and I’d hate to stop at the store for just that.
It will still taste great without the sesame oil. If you have peanut oil, I’d use that instead!
[…] a long time on our weekly menu. I found this easy chicken fried rice recipe originally on this blog but altered it a […]
I just maded it and it’s fantastic and so simple!
Definitely easy, definitely tasty (don’t modify the egg direction, whatever you do) and definitely not greasy-feeling.
[…] easy breezy rice recipe can be made in dinner or lunch. It’s appetizing and can be cooked and on the table in 20 minutes […]
Love love love this!!! So easy and delicious
I add a splash of sriracha and fresh ginger too
3 days in a row the dinner is fried rice …
Thank you!!
[…] http://iowagirleats.com/2012/08/23/take-out-fake-out-easy-chicken-fried-rice/ […]
[…] recipe was inspired by Take Out, Fake Out: Easy Chicken Fried Rice from Iowa Girl […]
I just happened to have all of these ingredients in my refrigerator which needed to be used up. This was such a quick, easy, and delicious meal! Definitely a keeper. Thank you!
I have made this dish a handful of times and love how easy it throws together. I use just a dash or two of sesame oil (I find it very strong) and instead of soy sauce I use a TB of stir fry sauce which is less sodium. leftovers are vunderful!
[…] Chicken Fried Rice […]
[…] […]
This was delicious. I added more chicken and more veggies just because that’s how we like it. I’ll definitely be making it again.
This was so delicious! I added some fresh ginger in with the garlic. Very good and kid approved in my house! Thanks for the quick and easy recipe :)
I made this tonight and it was YUMMO!!!! I doubled for my family and everyone loved it! Thank you so much for a truly easy and scrumptious dinner recipe!
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This is a fabulously easy and delicious recipe. I’ve been craving fried rice all day, but didn’t want to dish out money for take out…but who needs that now that I’ve found your recipe?!? Sooooo good!! :9
Great recipe, my kids loved it.
I pick out the lima beans too! YUCKO! Great recipe!
[…] Recipe from Iowa Girl Eats […]
So yummy. Doubled everything to feed 3 adults and 2 kids. Easy pleaser and fast!
It’s seems to be very delicious and simply!very compliments
Great!!! The family loved it!!
[…] recipe […]
Just came across your website not too long ago. Tried this tonight and it was super yummy! Thanks for the quick and easy dinner idea! I’ve pinned a few of your other recipes and can’t wait to try them!
My son and I just made this and we both loved it! Thanks for sharing :)
[…] So how can these students prepare for cooking on their own after college? Just watch and learn. Want to have cheesy potatoes like Varner made them? No problem. Chicken fried rice? Great choice. […]
Try this with short grain brown rice – organic. It’s the BEST. I love this recipe – healthy and easy. That’s as good as it gets.
[…] recently discovered this recipe for chicken fried rice from Iowa Girl Eats and it’s delish. She has the recipe with step by step pictures […]
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I needed the gentle guidance to realize how easy and tasty this could be. I did not use frozen mixed vegetable. I microwaved one whole carrot and diced it up and cooked it with onion, garlic and a bunch of baby kale…it was really good. Thanks for the helping hand.
[…] Take Out, Fake Out: Easy Chicken Fried Rice […]
What if you don’t have Sesame oil? All I have right now are canola and vegetable. Could I use one of those?
Sure you could use either one of those!
[…] Recipe at iowagirleats.com […]
I have made this twice and it is just so delicious. The second time I used quinoa instead of rice cause that is what I had on hand and it was just as delicious!
So easy to make, even adapted for bigger portions. I had extra on my plate it was soooooo tasty. Better than anything bought via takeaway as I cant stand egg fried rice usually. Even a hit with my fussy 4yr old so A x million * :D
I’m making this for dinner tonight, it’s like the 10th time I’ve made it! It is super easy and SO yummy!!! Thanks for such a great recipe! I always double it so we have plenty of leftovers. :-)
[…] Fried Egg Rolls Pepper Steak Honey Sesame Chicken Orange Chicken Mongolian Beef Chicken Fried Rice Copycat PF Changs Lettuce Wraps Easy Pad Thai Cashew Chicken Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli […]
Thanks for posting this. It’s delicious, easy and tasty. I make it a few times a month!!
[…] This recipe is from Iowa Girl Eats …because I’ve got to give props to a fellow IOWA GIRL! The only thing I changed is…I didn’t have Sesame Oil or Wok Oil…and I didn’t want to go buy any, because I’m being lazy. So I used Olive Oil. […]
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Planning on making this for dinner tonight but am curious what the nutritional facts are?
you should make it for dinner if you have family they would love it invite me over i want some
I totally loved your recipe, it was simple and easy to make. I find myself making chicken fried rice all the time just because I love it so much! However, I like to experiment and try new things so I decided to replace the rice with quinoa. I have eaten quinoa many times but I didn’t think it was going to work with this dish but it did and I wanted to share my discovery. Quinoa has many health benefits and is called the “super-food or super-grain.” It’s high in protein and fiber more so than other grains. It has lots of iron and its gluten free! It’s full of vitamins, antioxidants and nutrients than other grains. Quinoa can be found anywhere–from any supermarket to a health food store–and its reasonably priced. It has a soft texture and most importantly it tastes delicious!
i loved it it looks amazing looks better than what i make and i love the way you set the plate.