The Best Chicken Fried Rice
When it comes to weeknight dinners, nothing beats a quick and delicious stir-fry! This Chicken Fried Rice is packed with flavor, featuring tender chicken, crispy broccoli, and sweet carrots all tossed in perfectly seasoned rice.
It’s a one-pan wonder that my family loves, and it’s versatile enough to use whatever veggies you have on hand. I love how easy it is to make and how quickly it comes together, especially on busy nights. Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover rice!
Questions I Often Get Asked About This Recipe
Q: Can I use leftover rice for this recipe?
A: Absolutely! In fact, day-old rice works best for fried rice because it’s a bit drier and holds up better when stir-frying.
Q: Do I need to cook the broccoli and carrots separately?
A: No need! You can add them directly to the pan during the stir-fry. Just chop them into small, bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly with the other ingredients.
Q: Can I use frozen vegetables instead of fresh?
A: Yes, frozen vegetables work well in this recipe. Just thaw them and pat them dry before adding them to the pan to avoid excess moisture.
Q: What other vegetables can I add?
A: You can add peas, bell peppers, or snap peas for extra color and crunch. Feel free to use whatever you have on hand!
Q: Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
A: Yes, you can easily make this vegetarian by omitting the chicken and using tofu or more vegetables instead.
What You Need to Make The Best Chicken Fried Rice
Ingredients:
2 cups cooked rice (preferably day-old)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 chicken breasts, diced
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup broccoli florets, chopped
1 cup carrots, diced
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Salt and pepper to taste
Tools/Equipment:
Large skillet or wok
Spatula
Knife and cutting board
Mixing bowls
How to Make The Best Chicken Fried Rice
Cook the chicken:
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
Add the diced chicken and season with salt and pepper. Stir-fry for 5-7 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Cook the vegetables:
In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil.
Add the chopped onion, garlic, broccoli, and carrots. Stir-fry for about 4-5 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
Add the eggs:
Push the vegetables to one side of the pan and pour the beaten eggs into the empty space.
Scramble the eggs until fully cooked, then mix them into the vegetables.
Add the rice and chicken:
Add the cooked rice and chicken back into the pan with the vegetables and eggs. Stir everything together.
Season the fried rice:
Pour the soy sauce and sesame oil over the fried rice mixture and stir well to combine.
Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through.
Serve and enjoy:
Garnish with sliced green onions and serve immediately!
Tips for Making the Best Chicken Fried Rice
Use cold rice: Day-old rice is ideal for fried rice because it’s firmer and less sticky than freshly cooked rice.
Prep all your ingredients first: Stir-frying is fast, so having all your ingredients ready before you start cooking will make the process smoother.
Don’t overcrowd the pan: If you’re doubling the recipe or making a large batch, cook the ingredients in batches to ensure even cooking and crispness.
Reader Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Katie M.: “This fried rice recipe was a hit with my whole family! I love that it’s packed with veggies like broccoli and carrots, and the flavor was spot on.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐ John P.: “Quick, easy, and delicious! I used leftover rice from the night before, and it turned out great. Will definitely make this again.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Megan L.: “My kids actually ate their vegetables with this! The chicken was tender, and the rice was perfectly seasoned.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sarah T.: “This recipe was perfect for a busy weeknight. I added peas and it was delicious. The sesame oil added a great flavor!”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Linda R.: “Easy to make, healthy, and so tasty! This will definitely be a regular in our dinner rotation.”
Printable Recipe Card
The Best Chicken Fried Rice
This Chicken Fried Rice with broccoli and carrots is a quick and easy weeknight meal, loaded with tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and perfectly seasoned rice. Ready in just 25 minutes!
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked rice (preferably day-old)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 chicken breasts, diced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup broccoli florets, chopped
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Cook the chicken:
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
Add the diced chicken and season with salt and pepper. Stir-fry for 5-7 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Cook the vegetables:
In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil.
Add the chopped onion, garlic, broccoli, and carrots. Stir-fry for about 4-5 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
Add the eggs:
Push the vegetables to one side of the pan and pour the beaten eggs into the empty space.
Scramble the eggs until fully cooked, then mix them into the vegetables.
Add the rice and chicken:
Add the cooked rice and chicken back into the pan with the vegetables and eggs. Stir everything together.
Season the fried rice:
Pour the soy sauce and sesame oil over the fried rice mixture and stir well to combine.
Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through.
Serve and enjoy:
Garnish with sliced green onions and serve immediately!
Notes
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If You Enjoyed This Recipe, Please Share!
If you loved this Chicken Fried Rice as much as we do, don’t forget to share it with your friends and family! It’s the perfect weeknight dinner and a great way to use up leftovers.
Share your creations on social media and tag us—we’d love to see how your version turned out! And don’t forget to pin this recipe on Pinterest for later.