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Home » Recipe Index » Asian

Best Chicken Fried Rice

Published: Aug 16, 2020 by Kris Longwell · This post may contain affiliate links

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A close-up view of a white serving bowl filled with homemade chicken fried rice next to a gold spoon.
A large spoon holding a helping of chicken fried rice over a bowl of the dish.

Quality Chinese food will always be one of our favorite cuisines to eat and make ourselves!

Right up there with Pork Dumplings with Peanut Sauce, Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry, and General Tso’s Chicken, this classic dish is always a crowd favorite and only takes about 30 minutes to prepare from start to finish!  And this fried rice recipe can be adapted to include pork, shrimp, beef, or veggies!

VIDEO ALERT: Be sure to check out the video for this recipe in the recipe card.  If you like the video, subscribe to our YouTube Channel!

An overhead view a white serving bowl filled with chicken fried rice next to a gold spoon.

How To Make Chicken Fried Rice

This chicken fried rice recipe comes together very quickly, so it’s really important to have all of your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking.

We love using our wok when preparing this dish, but you can also certainly use a nice sturdy pan such as a cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven.

EXPERT TIP: If you’re are using a wok over a gas flame, we highly recommend using a wok ring to help keep the wok secure on the stove.

This really is an easy chicken fried rice recipe, but we are going to show you a technique that delivers superior taste.

First, you’ll need to heat your wok (or skillet) over high heat.

Cook the vegetables first, and then throw in the chicken and sauté until it’s just no longer pink. About 3 minutes for the veggies, and then 4 minutes for the chicken.

EXPERT TIP: We use canola oil for stir-frying the chicken, veggies, eggs, and rice for this dish. However, you could use vegetable oil, too. You need an oil that can handle high heat, and therefore we don’t recommend olive oil.

A metal wok over a gas stove with satuéed onions, carrots, and chicken in it, with a wooden spoon stirring it all.

The Gold-Covered-Silver Method

A common technique for your traditional fried rice recipe is to scramble the egg first, and then remove the egg from the wok and continue with the recipe, stirring the cooked egg back in at the end. This is called the Silver-Covered-Gold method.

There is another common technique that is believed to originate in the Yangzhou Province of China, and we think this type of preparation delivers a light and even fluffy dish that is just amazing.

To prepare Gold-Covered-Silver fried rice (which literally means gold covering the silver rice, or, the egg coating the rice), you’ll need to start by scooting the sauteed veggies and chicken to one side of your wok, or skillet, with a large spoon or spatula.  In the open area of the wok, add the beaten eggs and then immediately the day-old rice.

Stir to fully coat the rice. This produces a luxurious texture that we think is just incredible!

EXPERT TIP: Another extremely important tip in making authentic chicken fried rice is to use day-old rice. Or at least rice that has been steamed and then allowed to completely cool and even dry out a bit. Freshly steamed rice just won’t deliver that classic taste and texture once it’s added to the hot wok.

2 stacked images with the top showing cooked white rice dropping into a wok with egg, and the next is a wooden spoon stirring it all together.

Building the Flavor Profile

A combination of soy sauce and oyster sauce delivers the classic Chinese fried taste.

If you’re concerned about the taste of the oyster sauce, don’t worry, it doesn’t taste like oysters.

EXPERT TIP: Pour the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and 1 teaspoon of sugar over the rice/egg mixture. Be sure to work the sauce into the mixture until the rice is fully coated and becomes a uniformly golden-brown color. Next, mix together veggie/chicken mixture with the rice. Stir until fully mixed.

A hand pouring oyster sauce from a small glass bowl into a wok filled with fried rice.

Finishing the Dish

We’re almost ready, folks!

At this point, we stir in the frozen peas, most of the chopped scallions, and, if desired, a small amount of sesame seed oil.

Stir until completely mixed!

A hand dropping frozen peas into a wok filled with chicken fried rice and a wooden spoon.

The dish is now ready to serve and is best served hot!

We just love adding another splash or two of soy sauce on our individual servings.

Taste before adding more soy to the final dish.

A hand pouring a small bottle of soy sauce with a green cap into a serving of chicken fried rice.

How To Serve

We absolutely love serving this to guests for an Asian-themed dinner party.

This is wonderful alongside General Tso’s Chicken and with a batch of Homemade Egg Rolls!

EXPERT TIP: Egg fried rice is, of course, amazingly delicious served piping hot, right from the stove. But it is also wonderful heated up in a skillet after being stored in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

So good!

A large spoon holding a helping of chicken fried rice over a bowl of the dish.

If you’re craving this classic Chinese takeout recipe, then you are in luck!

As you can see, this easy chicken fried rice is authentic and easy to prepare at home!

You won’t be disappointed, we are certain of that. And neither will be your dinner guests!

A close-up view of a white serving bowl filled with homemade chicken fried rice next to a gold spoon.

Ready to make this iconic Chinese fried rice recipe? Go for it!

And when you do, be sure to take a photo of it, post it on Instagram, and tag @HowToFeedaLoon and hashtag #HowToFeedaLoon!

A close-up view of a white serving bowl filled with homemade chicken fried rice next to a gold spoon.

Best Chicken Fried Rice

Chicken Fried Rice is a classic dish that seems like it should be easy to prepare at home. Well, it is, if you follow this recipe. Get authentic fried rice taste and texture! In about 30 minutes from start to finish!
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Entree
Cuisine: Chinese
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 626kcal
Author: Kris Longwell

Video

Equipment

  • Wok (preferably with wok ring), or sturdy large saucepan, such as cast-iron or Dutch oven

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon canola oil
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 2 teaspoon ginger fresh, minced
  • ½ cup onion chopped
  • ½ cup carrots chopped
  • 2 chicken thighs thinly cut into 1-inch pieces
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 4 cups white rice day old
  • 2 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ¼ cup sweet peas frozen
  • 3 scallions chopped, white and green parts
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seed oil optional

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a wok (or skillet) over high heat until just starting to smoke.
  • Add the garlic, ginger, onion, and carrots and stir-fry for 3 minutes.
  • Stir in the chicken and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stir-fry until chicken is no longer pink, about 4 minutes.
  • Use a large flat spoon or spatula to push the vegetables and cooked chicken to one half of the wok or skillet. In the open area of the wok, add the eggs, and immediately add the rice. Use a spoon, or spatula, to work the rice into the eggs until fully coated and the rice is a golden yellow color.
  • Stir in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar into the rice/egg mixture, and stir until the rice is uniformly coated and the color has turned a golden brown.
  • Mix the vegetables and chicken into the rice mixture and stir until fully incorporated.
  • Stir in the peas, and most of the scallions (leave some for garnish), and the sesame oil, if using.
  • Transfer to a platter, or individual plates, garnish with scallions, and serve at once with additional soy sauce on the side.

Notes

We use our food processor to chop the carrots for ease.  Or you can use a sharp knife, just be careful!
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast can be substituted for the chicken thighs if desired. 
It's really important to use completely cooled rice for this dish.  We love using Jasmine rice, but any kind of cooked rice will work.  Another great option to buy cooked rice from your favorite Chinese takeout and set it aside.  Remember, day-old is best!  See the recipe below for making perfect Jasmine rice.
This technique produces fried rice that is light and fluffy, which we absolutely love.  If you like your fried rice to be a little drier, then scramble the eggs first in the wok.  Remove with a large spoon and set aside.  Continue with the recipe as is (omitting the part about mixing the rice with the eggs in the wok).  Stir in the scrambled eggs at the very end when you are mixing in the frozen pea, scallions, and sesame oil.
Sesame oil adds a distinct Asian taste.  Try a little and see if you like it.  Remember, a little goes a long way.
The fried rice will keep in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 1 week and freezes beautifully for up to 2 months.  
Recipe for Perfectly Cooked Jasmine Rice:
  1. Place 2 cups of Jasmine rice in a large bowl and cover with tap water.
  2. Swirl the rice around until the water turns murky.  Use your hands to hold back the rice, and drain the water into the sink.  Repeat this process two more times. Drain the rice through a sieve or colander.
  3. Add the rice, 2⅔ cups water, and ½ teaspoon salt into a medium-sized saucepan and bring to a boil.  Turn the heat to low, cover, and steam for 10 minutes.
  4. Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.  Transfer to a bowl and let cool completely, preferably overnight. 

Nutrition

Calories: 626kcal | Carbohydrates: 104g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 646mg | Potassium: 328mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1950IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe? Take a Picture!Mention @HowToFeedALoon or tag #HowToFeedALoon!

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Comments

  1. BJ says

    June 07, 2023 at 2:47 pm

    We love watchng your show, but Kris your microphone is not working very well so we can’t always hear what your saying. Wesley’s works just fine.

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      June 08, 2023 at 2:05 pm

      Thanks, BJ! We’re looking into it!! Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  2. Claire says

    April 22, 2023 at 7:09 am

    5 stars
    My 14-year-old and I made this last night, with what we had in the house (tofu instead of chicken, and broccoli instead of peas), and it turned out so well!

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      April 22, 2023 at 12:07 pm

      Wow! That is impressive! You’ve got quite the talented young chef on your hands! That’s fantastic! And his modifications sound great! Thank you so much for sharing and please let him know how impressed with are with him! xoxo

      Reply
  3. Kendra says

    June 06, 2021 at 10:51 pm

    Made it tonight for my dinner with my family and we all enjoyed it

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      June 09, 2021 at 2:25 pm

      Hi Kendra! That is so awesome! We are thrilled you and the family loved the chicken fried rice, and thank you so much for letting us know!!! Best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  4. Mark Hall says

    November 18, 2020 at 6:11 pm

    Excellent, excellent, excellent!!! Had this with your egg rolls tonight. Will never order take out again! Another great recipe, guys.

    Reply
  5. Melissa Sizemore says

    September 09, 2020 at 8:02 pm

    5 stars
    I made the chicken fried rice for dinner tonight, along with your recipe for the egg rolls cooking those in my air fryer….OMGoodness!!! Another keeper. I will say that it was great planning ahead and made rice in my instant pot. Only 1 teenager was with us tonight, instead of the usual 3- otherwise I will have to double the recipe! I will also say that said teenager tried his first egg roll this evening…and quickly devoured 2 more!

    Tough decision on the next recipe(s) to try next!

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      September 10, 2020 at 10:48 am

      Hi Melissa! That is so awesome! And that’s fantastic all the planning ahead and pre-prep work you did. You’ve got it down!!! So glad you and your family enjoyed the fried rice and egg rolls (wow! that sounds like an amazing meal!). Stay in touch and thank you so much for the kind words and wonderful review. We can’t express enough how much that means to us! All the best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  6. Theresa says

    September 08, 2020 at 6:53 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you! Thank you! For making actual fried rice. Day old rice, wok, vegetable oil, soy sauce and oyster sauce. As a Chinese person glad you posted this recipe.

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      September 10, 2020 at 10:36 am

      Hi Theresa! Wow! That is a compliment we are so honored to have! Thank you so much and thank you for the GREAT review! That means the world to us!! All the best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  7. Lin says

    August 16, 2020 at 5:13 pm

    Thank y’all for this recipe! I plan on trying it as soon as I can get the ingredients. It is a little harder when you are trying to stay out of stores. I love fried rice and know this will be so good. You are appreciated!

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      August 17, 2020 at 7:07 pm

      Thank you, Lin!! We appreciate that so much! Let us know if you make the fried rice and what you think. We love it a lot!! Best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
5 from 3 votes

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