Joyful.

Chicken Fried Rice

By Martis Guleryan Updated

In short: Stir-fry diced chicken until it reaches 165°F, scramble eggs, then fry cold cooked rice with peas, carrots, garlic, soy sauce and sesame oil in the same pan. It takes about 25 minutes and serves 4.

  • 25 min
  • 4 servings
  • Easy
Chicken fried rice with peas, carrots, scrambled egg and green onions in a skillet with chopsticks
Illustrative AI-generated photo.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Chicken fried rice is the best possible use for leftover rice: it is fast, cheap, and tastes like the takeout version. Everything cooks in one skillet in about 15 minutes once the prep is done.

  • Ready in about 25 minutes — faster than delivery.
  • Budget-friendly — rice, eggs, a pound of chicken and frozen vegetables feed four.
  • Flexible — swap in shrimp, ham or whatever vegetables are in the fridge.

The secret is cold rice

Freshly cooked rice is full of steam, so it clumps and turns gummy in a hot pan. Rice that has been refrigerated overnight has firmed up and dried out on the surface, so the grains separate and toast instead. When you cook rice specifically for this, cool it quickly: spread it in a thin layer on a sheet pan, then refrigerate it within 2 hours. A hot pan and patience matter too — let the rice sit undisturbed for a minute between stirs so it picks up a little color.

Ingredient substitutions

Instead ofYou can use
ChickenPeeled shrimp (cook 2–3 minutes until pink and opaque) or diced ham.
Oyster sauceAn extra tablespoon of soy sauce plus ½ teaspoon of sugar.
White riceCold cooked brown rice or jasmine rice; both work.
A bowl of chicken fried rice with sliced green onions and a pair of chopsticks

Chicken Fried Rice

Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
25 min

Ingredients

Servings
4 servings

Chicken

Fried rice

Metric weights use ingredient-specific densities from King Arthur Baking — Ingredient Weight Chart. For baking, weighing is more accurate than cups.

Instructions

Tap a step number to mark it done.

  1. Step 1: Prep everything first

    Toss the chicken with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and the cornstarch. Break up any clumps in the cold rice with your fingers. Set the eggs, vegetables, garlic, green onions and sauces next to the stove — fried rice moves fast.

  2. Step 2: Cook the chicken

    Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a 12-inch skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F (74°C). Transfer to a plate.

  3. Step 3: Scramble the eggs

    Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil, pour in the eggs and scramble 1–2 minutes until just set. Transfer to the plate with the chicken.

  4. Step 4: Fry the rice

    Melt the butter in the pan, add the garlic, green onion whites and peas and carrots, and cook 1–2 minutes. Add the rice, spread it out and let it sit 1 minute before stirring. Repeat a few times for 4–5 minutes until the rice is hot and lightly toasted.

    Tip: Leave the rice alone for a minute at a time. That contact with the hot pan is what gives fried rice its toasty flavor.

  5. Step 5: Season and combine

    Drizzle in the soy sauce, oyster sauce and sesame oil, add the pepper, and toss well. Return the chicken and eggs, breaking the eggs into small pieces, and stir until everything is steaming hot. Top with the green onion greens.

Tips for the best results

  • Day-old refrigerated rice is drier and fries into separate grains. Freshly cooked rice turns mushy.
  • If you must use fresh rice, spread it on a sheet pan and refrigerate it uncovered for 30 minutes first.
  • Use a pan big enough. Crowding the rice steams it instead of frying it; halve the batch for a 10-inch skillet.

Storage, reheating and freezing

Refrigerator
Refrigerate within 2 hours in shallow airtight containers for 3–4 days.
Reheating
Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water, or in the microwave covered, stirring halfway, until it reaches 165°F (74°C).
Freezing
Freeze in freezer bags, pressed flat, for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen in a skillet with a splash of water.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my fried rice mushy?

The rice was too fresh and moist, or the pan was overcrowded. Use cold rice cooked at least a day ahead, and fry it in a large, hot pan.

Is it safe to use leftover rice?

Yes, if it was cooled quickly and refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking and used within 3–4 days. Spreading hot rice in a shallow container helps it cool fast.

What oil is best for fried rice?

A neutral, high-heat oil such as vegetable, canola or peanut oil. Toasted sesame oil burns easily, so add it at the end for flavor.

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Written by Martis Guleryan

Martis Guleryan is the founder of Joyful Home Cooking and writes and edits the recipes and cooking guides on the site, with a focus on easy weeknight dinners, family-friendly baking and clear, practical steps.

Published , last updated . Read our editorial policy.

Sources and food safety references