Chicken Fried Rice is a quick, Chinese-style dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners.
Chinese chicken fried rice combines tender, seasoned chicken with peas, spring onions and scrambled egg tossed through fragrant rice. It’s comfort food that’s full of flavour, economical to make and ready in about 25 minutes.
Why You’ll LOVE This Recipe!
Quick to prep and cook – the whole meal comes together in roughly 25 minutes, making it ideal for busy evenings.
Delicious – this simple fried rice is a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy it on its own or pair it with other Chinese-style dishes for a home “takeaway” night.
Budget-friendly – making fried rice at home saves money compared with takeout, and it’s a great way to use up odds and ends from the fridge.
Easy Chicken Fried Rice Recipe
Serves – 4
Prep time – 5 minutes
Cook time – about 20 minutes
Total time – around 25 minutes
Equipment Needed
- Chopping board
- Sharp knife
- Wok or large skillet
- Cooking spoon
- Saucepan for the rice
- Colander
- Tablespoon and teaspoon
- Measuring cup
- Fork
Ingredients For Chicken Fried Rice
Everything you need to make a tasty chicken fried rice at home
- 1 mug long grain or jasmine rice
- 1 tbsp sunflower oil (or vegetable oil)
- 1 bunch spring onions, sliced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 650g boneless skinless chicken breast, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion granules
- 2 tsp Chinese five-spice seasoning
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
How To Make Chicken Fried Rice – Quick And Easy!
Simple steps yield great results
Step One – Prep your ingredients
- Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces, slice the spring onions, beat the eggs and measure the rice and spices so everything is ready to go.
Step Two – Cook the rice
- Cook the rice according to packet instructions. Drain in a colander and set aside. While the rice cooks you can start frying the chicken and vegetables.
Tip: This recipe uses freshly cooked hot rice rather than leftover rice. For an even quicker version, use a hot microwave rice pouch.
Step Three – Cook the chicken
- Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan and stir-fry the chicken until cooked through. Season with garlic powder, onion granules and Chinese five-spice.
Step Four – Cook the peas and spring onions
- Add the peas and spring onions to the pan and stir-fry over medium-high heat until the peas are tender. Remove the chicken and vegetables to a plate.
Step Five – Make the egg fried rice
- Add a splash of oil to the pan, pour in the beaten eggs and stir until they begin to scramble. Add the hot cooked rice and stir-fry, breaking up any clumps so the rice mixes evenly with the egg.
Step Six – Add soy sauce
- Season the rice with the soy sauce, tossing well so the flavour distributes evenly.
Step Seven – Combine and finish
- Return the cooked chicken and vegetable mixture to the pan, stir everything together and fry for a few minutes until heated through. Serve immediately.
What To Serve With Chicken Fried Rice
Five easy sides that pair well with this dish
Prawn crackers and dip – a bowl of prawn crackers with sweet chilli dip is a fun, crunchy accompaniment.
Spring rolls – shop-bought spring rolls heated while you cook make a tasty starter or side, especially with hoisin or sweet chilli sauce.
Stir-fried vegetables – a colourful mix of broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, baby corn and sugar snap peas adds freshness and extra nutrients.
Asian cucumber salad – toss sliced cucumber with rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, a splash of soy and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a crisp side.
Recipe Tips And Variations
Make it spicy
Add chopped fresh chillies, chilli oil or a pinch of Chinese curry powder to introduce heat.
Add more veg
Include baby sweetcorn, mushrooms, broccoli florets or bell peppers. To reduce carbs, substitute cauliflower rice.
Swap the protein
Use diced chicken thighs, prawns, pork or beef strips instead of chicken breast — or mix proteins for variety.
Make it gluten free
Use a gluten-free soy sauce (tamari) and check that any packaged ingredients are labelled gluten-free.
Need Some More Easy Meal Ideas?
Explore meal-planning tips and simple, family-friendly recipes to make weeknight cooking easier and more varied.
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More Tasty Rice Dishes To Make
- Beef Fried Rice
- Cajun Chicken and Rice
- Prawns and Rice
- Teriyaki Tofu Rice Bowls
Easy Chicken Fried Rice
Serves 4
5 minutes
20 minutes
25 minutes
Quick and easy chicken fried rice for weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 mug of rice
- 1 tbsp sunflower oil
- 1 bunch spring onions
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 650g chicken breast, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion granules
- 2 tsp Chinese five-spice seasoning
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
Instructions
- Prepare all the ingredients so you’re ready to cook.
- Cook the rice according to packet instructions, then drain and set aside. While the rice cooks, start frying the chicken and vegetables.
- Heat oil in a wok and fry the chicken until cooked through. Season with garlic powder, onion granules and five-spice.
- Add peas and spring onions and stir-fry until peas are tender. Remove mixture to a plate.
- Add a splash of oil, pour in beaten eggs and stir until they begin to scramble. Add hot rice and stir-fry to combine with the egg.
- Season with soy sauce and mix well.
- Return the chicken and peas to the pan, toss everything together and fry for a few minutes until heated through. Serve immediately.
Notes
We recommend using freshly cooked hot rice for best results.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 439
Total Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 231mg
Sodium: 501mg
Carbohydrates: 21g
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 2g
Protein: 58g
Nutritional values are approximate and will vary depending on ingredients and measurements.