This Chicken Fried Rice is a delicious, quick, and easy meal that’s even better than takeout. Loaded with tender chicken, colorful vegetables, and perfectly scrambled eggs, this dish is sure to become a family favorite. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, you can have a tasty, satisfying dinner on the table in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- Oils and Chicken:
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
- ¾ to 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- Vegetables:
- 1 ½ cups frozen peas and diced carrots blend (used straight from the freezer)
- 3 green onions, trimmed and sliced into thin rounds
- 2 to 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
- Eggs and Rice:
- 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 4 cups cooked rice (white, long-grain or brown may be substituted; use two 8.8-ounce pouches cooked and ready-to-serve rice to save time)
- Seasoning:
- 3 to 4 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- Salt and pepper, optional and to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken:
- In a large non-stick skillet or wok, heat the sesame oil and canola oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the diced chicken and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes, flipping intermittently to ensure all sides cook evenly. Cooking time will vary based on the thickness of the chicken breasts and the size of the pieces.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the chicken from the skillet, leaving the oils and cooking juices in the pan. Place the chicken on a plate and set aside.
- Cook the Vegetables:
- In the same skillet, add the frozen peas and carrots blend and the green onions. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring intermittently, until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring intermittently.
- Scramble the Eggs:
- Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet.
- Pour the beaten eggs onto the other side and cook, stirring as necessary, until scrambled.
- Combine and Finish:
- Add the cooked chicken and the rice to the skillet.
- Evenly drizzle with soy sauce and add optional salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir everything together and cook for about 2 minutes, or until the chicken is reheated and the flavors are well combined.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade Chicken Fried Rice that’s better than takeout!
Tips
- Rice: For the best texture, use day-old rice or cook the rice in advance and let it cool completely before using it in the recipe. This prevents the rice from becoming too mushy.
- Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers, corn, or mushrooms to the mix.
- Chicken: Ensure the chicken pieces are uniform in size to cook evenly.
- Seasoning: Adjust the soy sauce and other seasonings to taste. You can also add a splash of oyster sauce or hoisin sauce for extra flavor.
- Serving: Garnish with extra green onions or sesame seeds for a finishing touch.
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