Description
This Easy Better-Than-Takeout Chicken Fried Rice is the kind of quick dinner that saves my weeknights again and again. It is packed with juicy chicken, fluffy rice, tender vegetables, and savory takeout-style flavor, all in one skillet. If you are looking for easy dinner ideas, quick chicken recipes, simple rice recipes, family-friendly meals, or fast food ideas for busy nights, this one checks every box with delicious homemade comfort.
Ingredients
3 cups cooked day-old white rice
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, diced
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup frozen peas and carrots
1/2 cup corn
3 green onions, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken, season with salt and black pepper, and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
2. Add a little more oil if needed, then pour in the beaten eggs. Scramble gently until just set, then move them to the plate with the chicken.
3. Add the remaining oil and butter to the skillet. Stir in the peas and carrots, corn, and garlic. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the vegetables are heated through and the garlic is fragrant.
4. Add the cold cooked rice and break up any clumps with a spatula. Stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes so the rice starts to toast lightly.
5. Pour in the soy sauce and sesame oil. Toss until all of the rice is evenly coated.
6. Return the cooked chicken and scrambled eggs to the skillet. Stir everything together until hot and well combined.
7. Add the sliced green onions, give it one last toss, and serve immediately.
Notes
Use cold day-old rice for the best texture. Fresh warm rice can turn soft and clumpy in the pan.
Cook over medium-high heat and avoid overcrowding the skillet so the rice fries instead of steaming.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: easy chicken fried rice, better than takeout chicken fried rice, quick dinner, easy dinner, chicken and rice, fried rice recipe, weeknight dinner, food ideas