This super simple Chicken Fried Rice recipe is the perfect meal solution for a busy weeknight that is packed with flavor that the whole family will love! Use a few kitchen staples (or even leftovers!) to create a flavorful dish that is as delicious as it is budget-friendly.

Close up image of Chicken Fried Rice with leftover rice on a plate with chopsticks

What Makes This The Best Fried Rice?

It’s really fast. I ALWAYS use leftover cooked rice for this 30 minute recipe, so it’s a really quick meal solution and a great way to use up leftovers.
You’ll love how flavorful it is. Sweet, salty, umami flavors play well to create layers of flavor for an entree you and your family are guaranteed to love.
Stretch your grocery budget. It’s no secret that pasta, potatoes, and rice are an affordable way to feed a crowd. Add in some veggies and a little bit of protein to round out the entree, but the bulk of the dish is deliciously seasoned rice.
It’s super versatile. Use the ingredients you already have in your kitchen, or adapt the recipe to use some of your favorite foods to create your perfect bite.

What Gives Chinese Fried Rice Its Flavor?

This “better than takeout” Chicken Fried Rice is flavorful for so many reasons. It’s salty, slightly sweet, nutty, and packed with chicken and veggie flavors. The flavor that makes it unique from other traditional chicken and rice dishes, though, is the umami kick. With the combination of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil, this dish is absolutely packed it.

Is Chicken Fried Rice Unhealthy?

What is unhealthy for one person might be a healthy choice for another person. It all depends on your dietary needs and restrictions.

While this rice is fried, it is also rich in protein, has carbohydrates to help fuel your body, and contains a variety of veggies that are packed with nutrients your body needs.

What Is The Secret To Fried Rice?

Believe it or not, there IS a secret to really good fried rice. The secret is leftover rice! Freshly cooked rice is packed with moisture. When you attempt to fry rice that is full of moisture, it gets gluey, sticks to the pan, and takes a long time to crisp up.

So, the next time you plan on making a fried rice recipe, prep some rice a few hours (or days) before for the perfect texture and taste.

Ingredients To Grab

Ingredients needed to make Chicken Fried Rice in individual dishes

Chicken– Use chicken thighs, tenderloins, or precooked rotisserie chicken, they also work really well in this dish.
Long Grain Rice– I prefer the taste, texture, and ease of cooking that comes with this variety.
Peas and Carrots– Just like with my Pork Lo Mein recipe, I use frozen peas and carrots to mix in. I love creating recipes that use similar ingredients so I can shop in bulk to save even more money.
Eggs– To mix in for some added protein.
Vegetable Oil– Is used to crisp up the rice and prevent it from sticking to the skillet.
Sesame Oil– Adds umami flavor and aids in the caramelization of the rice.
Soy Sauce– Gives a salty, umami kick.
Hoisin Sauce– A sweet umami flavor adds another layer to the delicious dish.
Granulated Sugar– Some sweetness to help balance the saltiness of the sesame oil and hoisin sauce is a nice touch.
Seasoning– A mixture of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika is used to season the chicken if you are cooking your own.

How To Make Chicken Fried Rice

Sliced chicken cooked in a skillet with a spatula

Prepare the chicken. If using raw chicken, dice it into small pieces and season with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat, add a little vegetable oil, and cook the chicken until golden and fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165F. If using rotisserie chicken, simply shred or chop it and toss it into the hot pan to warm it through.

Scrambled eggs and cooked chicken in a skillet with a spatula

Scramble the eggs. Push the cooked chicken to one side of the pan, add a bit more vegetable oil, and crack in the eggs. Scramble them until they’re just set, then mix them with the chicken.

Chicken, scrambled eggs, and mixed veggies in a skillet

Add the vegetables. Stir in the frozen peas and carrots, cooking until they’re warmed through and soft.

Close up image of Chicken fried rice in a skillet

Crisp up the rice. Add the leftover cooked rice, breaking up any clumps. Drizzle in more vegetable oil and sesame oil. Toss everything well. Let the rice sit undisturbed for a minute or two to get lightly crisp before stirring again.

Chicken Fried rice with leftover rice in a skillet with sauce

Season and sauce. Pour in the soy sauce and hoisin sauce, then sprinkle in a little granulated sugar and additional salt. Toss well so the rice is evenly coated in the flavorful sauces.

Overhead image of Chicken Fried Rice on a brown plate with chopsticks

Finish and serve. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Garnish with sesame seeds, furikake, or chopped green onions for a pop of texture, color, or flavor.

Tips And Tricks

Chicken fried rice is a quick, flavorful way to turn simple ingredients and leftovers into a satisfying meal. Here are some helpful tips and tricks to make it perfect every time:

Use cold, leftover rice. Day-old rice has less moisture, helping it crisp up instead of turning mushy.
Break up rice clumps. Before adding it to the pan, separate any clumps with your hands or a fork for even frying.
Cook over high heat. A hot pan gives the rice that signature wok-seared flavor and texture.
Use a large skillet or wok. This allows enough space for the ingredients to fry rather than steam.

Variations

Homemade chicken fried rice is endlessly customizable, allowing you to switch up flavors, proteins, and add-ins to suit your taste or what’s in your fridge. Here are some tasty variations to try:

Spicy Chicken Fried Rice– Add sriracha, chili flakes, or a dash of hot sesame oil for a bold, fiery kick.
Pineapple Fried Rice– Toss in pineapple chunks for a sweet and savory tropical twist.
Vegetable Fried Rice– Skip the chicken and load it up with broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas, or mushrooms for a meatless version.
Shrimp Fried Rice– Swap the chicken for shrimp. Cook them quickly before adding the rice for a seafood spin.

Close up image of homemade chicken fried rice on a plate with chopsticks

What To Serve With Chicken Fried Rice

Chicken fried rice is a dish that pairs well with a variety of different side dishes and sauces. It makes it easy to customize your dinnertime experience so you can enjoy it more often. Here are some of my favorite things to serve with it:

Side Dishes

Cream Cheese Wontons
Gyoza
Cashew Chicken Egg Rolls
Roasted Broccoli
Edamame

Sauces

Cashew Chicken Sauce
Sweet and Sour Sauce
Orange Chicken Sauce
Teriyaki Sauce

How Long Does It Last?

In our house, it barely lasts long enough to reach the table. But I realize not everyone has three hungry boys to feed every night. If you can’t finish this chicken fried rice in one meal and need to save the leftovers for later, you can expect them to stay good in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

Can You Freeze It?

Yes! If you can’t finish your leftovers before they are going to spoil in your refrigerator, you can freeze any extras you have for later. If stored in a freezer-safe container, you can expect it to last for 4-6 months.

More Of My Best Recipes Using Rotisserie Chicken

If you love this Chicken Fried Rice recipe with leftover rice as much as our family does, share it with your friends on social media so they can try it too! Make sure you save it so you can make it again next time you have leftover rice.