Chicken Fried Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
Chicken
- 16 ounces chicken breast, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Rest of the Fried Rice
- 2 cups day old rice
- ½ small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
Sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 2 tsp sugar
Instructions
- Place the cubed chicken breast in a bowl and marinate with Shaoxing wine, salt, and cornstarch for 15 minutes.
- While the chicken marinates, finely dice the onion and mince the garlic.
- In a small bowl, combine dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, and sugar. Mix thoroughly and set aside.
- Heat a pan over medium-high heat with a bit of oil. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides, then remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, add the garlic and onions and cook until softened and fragrant.
- Add in the frozen mixed vegetables and cook until any excess moisture has evaporated.
- Add the day-old rice, followed by the cooked chicken and sauce. Toss everything together until the rice is evenly coated and heated through.
- Serve in a bowl.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Table of Contents
Introduction
This Chicken Fried Rice Recipe is one of those meals that will always be quick, filling, and reliable. I never order fried rice at takeout because I know how simple the dish really is, especially with leftover dishes. Despite all the fried rice recipes I’ve made and tested, this Chicken Fried Rice Recipe will always be my favorite because it’s convenient, nostalgic, and will always be delicious.
Why This Chicken Fried Rice Recipe Is Perfect For Weeknights
This Chicken Fried Rice Recipe is made for weeknights because it’s fast, there’s not a lot of complicated prep, and everything is made in one pan, which makes doing the dishes super easy. What’s even better is that when you make this at home, this fried rice is actually quite healthy. It’s packed with carbs, protein, and fiber! Once the sauce is made, this Chicken Fried Rice Recipe comes together in less than 10 minutes, making it one of the easiest ways to get a balanced dinner on the table. You won’t need ground beef anymore!
Chicken Fried Rice Recipe Ingredients
Chicken + marinade (Shaoxing wine, salt, cornstarch) – The chicken is the main protein, and the marinade helps give it that restaurant-quality tenderness while also allowing it to sear better in the pan.
Day-old rice – This is essential for a proper texture for fried rice. The grains stay separated, and absorbs the sauce without becoming mushy.
Aromatics + vegetables (onion, garlic, frozen mixed vegetables) – The onion and garlic build that classic fried rice aromatic base while the mixed vegetables add texture, color, and some fiber!
Fried rice sauce (dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, sugar) – A balanced sauce that seasons the rice, adds that classic umami flavor, and gives the fried rice that signature dark color.
How to Make Chicken Fried Rice
Place the cubed chicken in a bowl and marinate with Shaoxing wine, salt, and cornstarch for about 15 minutes.
Dice the onion and mince the garlic while the chicken marinates.
In a small bowl, mix together dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, and sugar.
Heat a pan over medium-high heat with oil and cook the chicken until browned, then remove and set aside.
In the same pan, cook the garlic and onions until softened and fragrant.
Add the mixed vegetables and cook until any excess moisture has evaporated.
Add the day-old rice, the chicken, and the sauce and toss everything together until evenly coated and heated through.
Serve immediately.
What to Serve with Chicken Fried Rice
This Chicken Fried Rice Recipe already is a complete meal on its own, but if you want to add some contrast and variety, here are a few of my favorites:
- Cucumber salad. I like to add some minced garlic, 1 tbsp of rice vinegar, and a pinch of salt and sugar to make a quick vinegar cucumber salad to help balance the richness of the Chicken Fried Rice
- Fried egg. A classic garnish that adds even more protein and a bit of richness from the yolk.
- Sautéed greens. A lot of fried rice dishes are served with sautéed greens that are cooked with garlic and a bit of oyster sauce. It’s a perfect balance of flavors.
How to Store Chicken Fried Rice For Meal Prep
One of the best parts about this Chicken Fried Rice Recipe is that it’s great for meal prep because you don’t need to worry about other components going bad or going soggy. I personally keep the fried rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. There are a couple of ways you can reheat your food:
- Reheat in a pan. You can bring back some of the texture and some of those crispy bits by reheating it in the pan. It’s the best way to keep the flavor just like it was the day you made it.
- Microwave. This is the most convenient method, especially if you work in an office. I like to microwave my fried rice for 2 minutes on the high setting.
Chicken Fried Rice Substitutions
This Chicken Fried Rice Recipe is very flexible, and you can substitute really anything like the protein, vegetables, or even the rice depending on what you have and dietary goals. A few of my favorite substitutions are:
- Chicken thighs. These are a great alternative to chicken breast and are more forgiving if you cook the chicken for too long.
- Shrimp. These are another great alternative to chicken breast and tastes really great with the garlic and sauce.
- Brown or cauliflower rice. Feel free to swap the white rice with brown rice for more fiber. Cauliflower rice will make the dish low carb, just make sure that when you add it to the dish to cook off all the moisture to improve the texture.
- Vegetables of your choice. You can absolutely swap the frozen vegetables for any fresh ones like bell peppers, mushrooms, or cabbage. It will all taste great and will only improve the flavor of the dish.
What to Make Next
Craving something with beef instead? You’ll love my Garlic Steak Fried Rice!
Want some noodles instead? Try my Chow Mein!
Need more meal prep ideas? Cook my Korean Ground Beef!
