Chicken fried rice is one of those dinners that feels like a lot more effort than it actually is. Tender chicken, fluffy rice, crisp carrots and peas, and scrambled eggs are all tossed together in a savory sauce and ready in 20 minutes. It's the kind of meal that works on a random Tuesday, feeds a crowd without stress, and uses up leftover rice and rotisserie chicken you probably already have on hand.
My husband and I love all kinds of Asian cuisine, but we don't always want to order takeout. On nights like that, I turn to simple, one-pan Asian-inspired recipes packed with our favorite flavors. Fried rice is a go-to because it's quick, easy, and loaded with umami-rich goodness-perfectly fluffy rice, tender chicken, and crisp veggies, all stir-fried in a savory sauce. It's a satisfying meal that comes together fast, without the wait (or the price) of takeout! If you love this fried rice, you'll also want to try my Orange Chicken-crispy, tangy, and better than takeout!
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Key Ingredients
- Cooked Chicken. I like to use leftover chicken from store-bought or homemade rotisserie chicken. Feel free to sub in other meats and proteins like shrimp, pork, or tofu.
- White Rice. Preferably, you want to use day-old cooked rice so it has time to dry out and be crumbly for the perfect fried rice texture. I'll usually whip some rice up in the morning and set it in the fridge to use that evening.
- Onions. I love the depth of flavor that onions add. The yellow onion softens as it cooks, giving a little sweetness, while the green onion brings a fresh bite at the end.
- Carrots & Peas. These add a pop of color and just the right amount of sweetness and crunch. Plus, they make me feel like I'm sneaking in some extra veggies without much effort.
- Eggs. Scrambling eggs into the rice makes everything feel extra rich and satisfying.
- Soy Sauce & Coconut Aminos. I use both because they balance each other out so well. The soy sauce brings that deep umami flavor, while the coconut aminos add a hint of natural sweetness. You can also use only soy sauce.
- Oyster Sauce. This is my secret weapon for next-level fried rice. It's thick, slightly sweet, and packed with umami. You can also use fish sauce, but I prefer the flavor of oyster sauce - it's also a key ingredient in my Thai Curry Chicken Thighs.
- Sriracha. I use this to add some heat. Tailor it to your spice preference, or use red pepper flakes instead.
See the recipe card below for the remaining ingredients and quantities.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add yellow onion and the white parts of 2 green onions. Sauté for about 2 minutes until softened. Add carrots and peas (fresh or frozen), cooking for another 2-3 minutes until slightly tender.
- Step 2: Stir in leftover chicken and cook for an additional minute.
- Step 3: Push everything to one side of the pan. Pour in 2 lightly beaten eggs into the empty space and scramble until just set. Mix the eggs into the veggies and chicken.
- Step 4: Stir in the cooked white rice (preferably day-old), soy sauce, coconut aminos (or additional soy sauce), oyster sauce, and sriracha (or more to taste). Toss everything together and cook for 2-3 minutes until well combined and heated through. Sprinkle in the green tops of the diced green onions, give everything a final toss, and serve hot.
Sarah's Top Tips
- Use day-old rice. This is the most important step for getting that light, slightly crispy texture instead of sticky, clumped rice. Fresh rice holds too much moisture. If you don't have day-old rice on hand, spread freshly cooked rice on a sheet pan and chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour. It won't be quite as dry as overnight rice, but it'll fry up far better than rice straight off the stove.
- Keep the heat high. A hot pan is what creates that toasty, slightly smoky flavor that makes fried rice taste like fried rice. If the heat drops too low or the pan gets too crowded, everything steams instead of fries. Use the largest skillet or wok you have, and don't be afraid of a little sizzle.
- Make-ahead prep saves you on busy nights. Dice the vegetables and mix the soy sauce, coconut aminos, oyster sauce, and sriracha up to a day ahead. When it's time to cook, it's just heat and toss.
- If you're starting with raw chicken, cook it first. Get the chicken cooked and set it aside before you start the vegetables and eggs. Add it back in with the rice and sauces at the end so every component keeps its texture.
- Swap in your favorite vegetables. Bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms all work well here. Keep the pieces small and even so everything cooks at the same rate. Frozen mixed vegetables are a great shortcut, just toss them straight in from frozen.
Serving Suggestions
Chicken fried rice is a complete meal on its own, but it's also great alongside other Asian-inspired dishes if you're cooking for a crowd or want to stretch it into more of a spread. I'll usually add a drizzle of extra sriracha or a sprinkle of sesame seeds right before serving for a little extra texture and heat.
For a full dinner spread, it pairs really well with my sweet chili chicken stir-fry as the flavors are in the same family and the two dishes together make a meal that honestly feels restaurant-worthy. A simple cold noodle salad on the side also works great when you want something lighter alongside the rice.
Storage & Reheating
Fridge: To store leftover fried rice, I let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezer: For longer storage, I freeze it in portion-sized containers for up to 3 months-perfect for quick meals later.
Reheating: I prefer using a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or soy sauce to bring back moisture. Stir frequently for about 3-5 minutes until heated through. If I'm in a hurry, the microwave works too-I cover the rice with a damp paper towel and heat it in 30-second intervals, stirring in between to prevent it from drying out.
Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below-I'd love to hear how it turned out! THANK YOU!
Simple Chicken Fried Rice (20-Minute Recipe!)
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
- ½ yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 green onions, diced (white and green parts separated)
- ½ cup carrots, diced
- ½ cup peas, fresh or frozen
- 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 cups cooked white rice, preferably day-old
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon coconut aminos, or use more soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sriracha, or more to taste
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and the white parts of the green onion. Sauté for 2 minutes until softened.1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil, ½ yellow onion, 2 green onions
- Add carrots and peas and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly tender. Toss in the chicken and cook for another minute.½ cup carrots, ½ cup peas, 1 cup cooked chicken
- Push everything to one side of the pan. Pour the beaten eggs into the empty space and scramble until just set. Mix into the veggies and chicken.2 eggs
- Stir in the rice, soy sauce, coconut aminos, oyster sauce, and sriracha. Toss everything together and cook for 2-3 minutes.2 cups cooked white rice, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon coconut aminos, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 teaspoon sriracha
- Sprinkle in the green onion tops, give everything a final toss, and serve.
Sarah's Tips
- Use your favorite chopped veggies.
- For a lighter option, use cauliflower rice. Squeeze out moisture and toast it a few extra minutes to prevent mushiness.
- A hot pan is key for crispy rice. Avoid overcrowding to prevent steaming. Use a large skillet or wok.
- Add your favorite toppings like green onion or sesame seeds.
- If using raw chicken, cook it first, then the veggies and eggs.
AH says
Made this last night and it was a huge hit! I added a little extra sriracha because the family likes a little heat but the recipe was easy and delicious!
Nancy says
This was delicious
Made it without the chicken because I made a beef with broccoli and served the rice with that. So good and easy