Quick Easy Chicken Fried Rice

Quick Chicken Fried Rice Better Than Takeaway

By Chef BakerSeptember 15, 2025

Table of Contents

Recipe Introduction: Your Weeknight Chicken Fried Rice Saviour!

Fancy some Chicken Fried Rice tonight? Honestly, who doesn't? This Chicken Fried Rice Recipe is about to become your new best mate in the kitchen.

Forget that expensive Chinese Takeaway Recipe , we're making this at home. This is seriously fast, and seriously easy.

Quick Hook - Ditch the Takeaway!

Ever stared into your fridge wondering what to make for dinner? This Easy Chicken Fried Rice is your answer! It's packed with flavour, super quick, and perfect for using up those Leftover Rice Recipe bits and bobs.

Overview: Asian Inspired Comfort Food

Chicken Fried Rice is a classic for a reason. It's believed to have originated as a way to avoid wasting food in Chinese households.

This is proper Fast Easy Meals , ready in about 35 minutes. This Fried Rice Recipe makes 4 decent portions, enough for the whole family.

Why You'll Love This Fried Rice

It's a Weeknight Dinner Recipe dream come true. Quick, satisfying, and loaded with good stuff, it's a winner. It's also way healthier than most takeaways.

Plus, there's something so therapeutic about chucking it all in a wok, isn’t there?

Are you hungry now? Here's what you'll need to get started with making this Quick Chicken Fried Rice .

Let's Talk Ingredients & Gear for Epic Chicken Fried Rice!

Right, so you're thinking of making fried rice . Awesome! Specifically, Chicken Fried Rice . Trust me, it's easier than ordering Chinese takeaway again.

I’ve been there. We all have, especially on a Friday night after a long week. This Fried Rice Recipe is a game changer! It is also one of my favourite Fast Easy Meals .

Main Players: Ingredients Breakdown

Let's break down what you'll need. Accuracy here matters. Nobody wants soggy Chicken Fried Rice !

Chicken: 1 lb or 450g boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Good quality chicken should look pink and firm, not grey or slimy.
Rice: 3 cups or 600g cooked, day-old long grain rice. Honestly, day-old rice is crucial. Fresh rice will just make it mushy. Leftover Rice Recipe for the win!
Veggies: 2 tbsp vegetable oil or 30 ml , 1 small onion, 2 cloves garlic, 1 inch ginger, 1 cup frozen peas and carrots or 150g , 2 green onions.
Eggs: 2 large eggs, lightly beaten.
Sauce: 2 tbsp soy sauce or 30 ml , 1 tbsp oyster sauce or 15 ml , 1 tsp sesame oil or 5 ml , 1 tsp sugar or 4g , ½ tsp rice vinegar or 2.5 ml , a pinch of white pepper.

Seasoning Sorted

Okay, about the sauce. Soy sauce and oyster sauce are the umami power couple in Chicken Fried Rice . That little bit of sugar? Balances it all out.

No rice vinegar? White wine vinegar works in a pinch.

Essential Mix: Soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil. This is your flavour base.
Flavour Boosters: Garlic, ginger, green onions. Don't skimp on these! They make a huge difference.
Quick Subs: Hoisin sauce for oyster sauce. It is an acceptable swap.

Must Have Gear

You don’t need a fancy kitchen, just a few basics.

Wok or Skillet: Big. Non-stick is your friend, but a well seasoned wok is the pro's choice.
Cutting Board & Knife: For obvious reasons. Sharp knife is key!
Measuring Cups & Spoons: Because eyeballing it doesn’t always work.
Spatula: For stir frying.

Honestly, if you have these, you're golden. Now, let's get cooking this Easy Chicken Fried Rice and Quick Chicken Fried Rice , the best Weeknight Dinner Recipe you'll have! You'll feel like you mastered a Chinese Takeaway Recipe in no time.

You got this!.

Cracking the Code: The Ultimate Chicken Fried Rice

Alright, let's talk Chicken Fried Rice . It's like a Friday night takeaway classic, but way better when you make it yourself.

Honestly, Chicken Fried Rice is one of my go-to Fast Easy Meals when I'm short on time. Plus, it’s the perfect Leftover Rice Recipe .

It is a great way to use up odds and ends from the fridge. No more sad, lonely veggies wilting away.

Did you know that fried rice dates back to the Sui Dynasty in China? Now that's a meal with some history!

Prep Like a Pro: Mise en Place for Making Fried Rice

First things first, get your mise en place sorted. Chop your onions, mince your garlic, cube your chicken and measure out your sauces.

Trust me on this , it makes the whole Fried Rice Recipe process so much smoother. It is a real time saver.

Safety reminder, always use a stable cutting board. It can't be emphasized enough that kitchen accidents can be easily avoided with a little care and attention.

Easy Chicken Fried Rice : step-by-step

Here's my super simple, foolproof Chicken Fried Rice Recipe :

Marinate cubed chicken in soy sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, and pepper. Set aside.
Whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and rice vinegar for the sauce.
Scramble eggs in a wok. Set aside.
Sauté onion, garlic, and ginger. Add chicken and cook until browned to an internal temperature of 165° F ( 74° C) .
Toss in frozen peas and carrots. Cook until heated through.
Add cooked rice and stir to break it up.
Pour the sauce and stir fry, making sure the rice is coated evenly.
Fold in scrambled eggs and green onions. Serve immediately.

Quick Chicken Fried Rice Pro Tips

Day-old rice is the real MVP . It fries up better, I promise.
Don't overcrowd the pan. It's tempting, but trust me, work in batches to get that perfect fried texture.
To avoid common mistakes, make sure you’re using a wok or a large skillet. High heat is key.

And guess what? You can totally make this ahead. Cook the rice and chicken, store them separately, and then just throw it all together when you're ready for your Weeknight Dinner Recipe .

So there you have it. An Easy Chicken Fried Rice that rivals any Chinese Takeaway Recipe , This Chicken Fried Rice Recipe is perfect for nights when you just want something quick and delicious.

Enjoy!

Recipe Notes to Elevate Your Chicken Fried Rice

Alright, you've got the Chicken Fried Rice Recipe down, but let's chat about some extra bits and bobs that will make your Chicken Fried Rice amazing .

Honestly, sometimes the little things make all the difference, you know? This is especially true when Making Fried Rice .

Serving it Up Right

Presentation is everything, innit? For plating, think simple but effective. I like to mound the Easy Chicken Fried Rice on a plate and garnish with extra spring onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

A few slices of fresh chilli add a nice pop of colour and heat. For sides, maybe some crispy spring rolls, classic.

Or, if you're feeling fancy, a light cucumber salad cuts through the richness nicely. To drink, a chilled lager goes down a treat!

Storage Savvy

Got leftovers? Winner! Let your Quick Chicken Fried Rice cool completely before popping it into an airtight container. In the fridge, it’ll be good for 2-3 days .

Freezing is an option too. Divide into portions and freeze for up to a month. Reheating? Microwave or back in the wok with a splash of water.

Just make sure it's piping hot all the way through! ( Important: check the internal temperature reaches 165° F/ 74° C ).

Remix Your Rice: Variations

Feeling adventurous? Let's tweak this Fried Rice Recipe . For a veggie version, ditch the chicken and load up on mushrooms and peppers.

Use vegetarian oyster sauce. Sorted! Want something a bit lighter? Try using cauliflower rice instead of regular rice a great way to sneak in extra veggies.

In the winter, I sometimes add some roasted butternut squash to bring a seasonal twist to the Chicken Fried Rice .

Nutrition Nuggets

Okay, so let's keep this easy. A portion of this Easy Chicken Fried Rice clocks in around 450-550 calories, loads of protein (30-35g), some fat (15-20g), and enough carbs (50-60g) to fuel your evening.

It's a decent Weeknight Dinner Recipe , giving you a balanced meal. Plus, you're getting some vitamins from the veggies.

This Chicken Fried Rice Recipe is a great way to turn that Leftover Rice Recipe into something amazing! It's so much better than that greasy Chinese Takeaway Recipe and a perfect Fast Easy Meals .

You got this! Now, go forth and create the best Chicken Fried Rice ever!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is day-old rice better for Chicken Fried Rice?

Using day-old rice is key to avoiding mushy fried rice! Freshly cooked rice tends to be too moist, which can cause it to clump together and steam instead of fry properly. Day-old rice has had time to dry out a bit, resulting in a much better texture that's light and fluffy, a bit like the difference between fresh bread and slightly stale bread for toast, innit?

Can I make Chicken Fried Rice vegetarian or vegan?

Absolutely! Swapping out the chicken is easy - just use tofu, tempeh, or simply add extra veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, or broccoli. For a vegan version, make sure to use a vegetarian oyster sauce substitute (like mushroom based sauces) and leave out the eggs, or replace with crumbled tofu for a scrambled egg texture.

It's all about making it your own, like adding pineapple to pizza - each to their own!

How do I store leftover Chicken Fried Rice? How long will it last?

Leftover Chicken Fried Rice should be cooled quickly (within 2 hours) and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. It'll keep for 3-4 days. Make sure to reheat it thoroughly until piping hot to ensure it's safe to eat you don’t want to end up like that episode of 'The Good Life' with dodgy leftovers!

What's the best way to get that authentic restaurant flavour in my Chicken Fried Rice?

High heat is your friend! Cooking over high heat in a wok or large skillet gives you that characteristic "wok hei" a slightly smoky, charred flavour that's a hallmark of good fried rice.

Also, don't be shy with the soy sauce and oyster sauce (or hoisin if you are going vegetarian) they're what give it that savory, umami kick. It's like adding Marmite to toast - that certain je ne sais quoi.

Can I add other proteins or vegetables to this Chicken Fried Rice recipe?

Of course! Chicken Fried Rice is incredibly versatile. Shrimp, pork, beef, or even diced ham are all great protein additions. Feel free to chuck in whatever veggies you fancy too, like snap peas, corn, or bean sprouts. It's all about using up what you've got in the fridge, a bit like a culinary clear out!