Homemade Chicken Fried Rice is even better than take-out and so easy to make at home! This no-fuss weeknight meal is loaded with chicken, veggies, eggs and rice with a savory sauce that everyone will love. (Plus my secret ingredient!)

Chicken fried rice in a white bowl with a silver spoon.

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    Chicken fried rice

    Fried rice is one of my absolute favorite meals to make at home. I used to order fried rice as a take-out meal, until I realized just how easy it is to make right at home and how budget-friendly it is! Chicken fried rice is a classic fried rice recipe that be it’s own meal or you can pair it with some of my other favorite take-out inspired recipes like Slow Cooker Orange Chicken and Air Fryer Egg Rolls!

    Fried rice with chicken in a pan with a wooden spoon.

    chicken fried rice ingredients

    • Butter: Butter is the secret ingredient to a restaurant-style fried rice that is to die for! If you’ve ever seen them make fried rice at a hibachi restaurant they use butter instead of oil! That’s what makes it so good!
    • Eggs: Scrambled eggs are usually added to fried rice and I love the addition of extra protein. You can definitely omit the eggs if you prefer!
    • Veggies: Carrots, onion, garlic and peas are added for loads of textures and flavors! You can add more veggies if you have them on hand. Try adding broccoli, bell peppers, corn or edamame!
    • White Rice: The key to a perfect fried rice that isn’t mushy is to use cold white rice. So you have to plan ahead a little bit here and make the rice, then chill it so it is cold when you make your chicken fried rice! Or, if you have leftover white rice on hand that will do the trick. Cold rice will stay in individual grains of rice. If you add fresh, hot rice, then this will turn out mushy!
    • Chicken: You can shred up a rotisserie chicken or make some chicken beforehand and add it in. My Instant Pot Shredded Chicken would work great in this!
    • Soy Sauce: I used low sodium soy sauce to decrease the sodium a little bit but any kind of soy sauce will work well. You can also use coconut aminos!
    • Oyster Sauce: Adds the perfect amount of umami flavor that makes this fried rice super savory.
    • Sesame Oil: Adds a slightly nutty flavor that pairs well with all of the flavors here.

    how to make this recipe

    1. Make the Eggs: Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet. Add in the eggs and scramble until fully cooked. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
    Scrambled eggs on a white plate.
    1. Sauté the Veg: Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the pan. Add the carrots and onion to the pan and cook until tender, 3-4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
    Rice with carrots and onions in a white sauté pan.
    1. Add Rice, Eggs, Peas & Chicken: Add in the cold rice and sauté for 2-3 minutes. The rice should brown up a bit. Stir the eggs back to the pan along with the peas and shredded chicken.
    Chicken fried rice ingredients in a white sauté pan.
    1. Add the Sauce & Serve: Pour in the soy sauce, oyster sauce and sesame oil. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until everything is heated through. Serve immediately with green onion for garnish, if desired. Enjoy!
    Chicken fried rice being stirred with a wooden spoon in a white sauté pan.

    Tips for Success

    • Use cold rice! Using cold, day-old rice is ideal for the best chicken fried rice. But in a pinch, you can make fresh rice, the spread it in a thin layer onto a baking sheet, cover in plastic wrap and place in the freezer for about 30 minutes. The rice will be nice and cold and ready to use in fried rice!
    • Add some heat! If you like your food spicy, serve with some sriracha or chili garlic sauce!
    • Don’t skip the butter! If you have ever had the fried rice at a hibachi restaurant, you have probably seen them add a ton of butter. Honestly that is what makes it so good! We don’t add nearly as much butter as they do at the restaurant, but it is a good idea to add some butter for loads of flavor!
    • Change up the protein! You can switch things up and make beef fried rice, shrimp fried rice, or simply vegetable fried rice!
    Two bowls of chicken fried rice.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I make chicken fried rice in the air fryer?

    Definitely! You can make fried rice super easily in the air fryer. You can follow this Air Fryer Fried Rice recipe and add the chicken or your protein of choice!

    Can I use another type of rice?

    Classic fried rice is made with a long grain white rice like jasmine rice. But you can switch it up and make this with brown rice or even quinoa! It won’t be exactly the same, but it will still be delicious!

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    Chicken Fried Rice

    5 from 4 votes
    Rate Print
    Homemade Chicken Fried Rice is even better than take-out and so easy to make at home! This no-fuss weeknight meal is loaded with chicken, veggies, eggs and rice with a savory sauce that everyone will love. (Plus my secret ingredient!)
    Servings: 4
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes

    Ingredients 

    Instructions 

    • Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet.
      Add in the eggs and scramble until fully cooked. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
    • Add the remaining tablespoon of butter into the pan.
      Add the carrots and onion to the pan and cook until tender, 3-4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
    • Add in the cold rice and sauté for 2-3 minutes. The rice should brown up a bit.
      Stir the eggs back to the pan along with the peas and shredded chicken.
    • Pour in the soy sauce, oyster sauce and sesame oil. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until everything is heated through.
      Serve immediately with green onions for garnish, if desired.

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 557kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 46gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 244mgSodium: 1023mgPotassium: 659mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 5773IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 89mgIron: 3mg

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