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To make easy chicken fried rice, you need these key items: - 2 cups cooked rice (preferably day-old) - 1 cup cooked chicken, diced - 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, bell peppers) - 2 eggs, lightly beaten - 3 tablespoons soy sauce - 2 tablespoons sesame oil - 1 tablespoon olive oil - 2 green onions, sliced - 2 cloves garlic, minced - Salt and pepper to taste These core ingredients give the dish its great taste and texture. Day-old rice works best because it is drier and won’t clump up. You can change up your chicken fried rice with these optional ingredients: - Cooked shrimp or tofu for different protein options - Other vegetables like broccoli or corn - Spices like ginger or chili flakes for added heat - Fresh herbs like cilantro for brightness Feel free to mix and match based on what you have on hand. This recipe is very flexible! If you don’t have an item, here are some easy swaps: - Use leftover turkey instead of chicken - Swap soy sauce with tamari for a gluten-free option - Olive oil can be replaced with vegetable or canola oil - Any frozen vegetable mix works in a pinch These substitutions keep your dish tasty while making cooking easier. Don't worry if you can't find every ingredient; you can still make a delicious meal. For the complete cooking process, check out the Full Recipe. First, gather your ingredients. You need cooked rice, chicken, mixed veggies, and green onions. Make sure your rice is cold and not sticky. Chop your chicken into small pieces. Cut the mixed vegetables into bite-sized bits. Slice the green onions thinly. Mince the garlic as well. This prep makes cooking faster. Now, heat your olive oil and sesame oil in a large skillet or wok. Use medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the minced garlic. Sauté it for about 30 seconds until it smells great. Next, push the garlic to one side of the skillet. Pour in the beaten eggs and scramble them until fully cooked. Mix the eggs with the garlic. Add the diced chicken and mixed vegetables to the skillet. Stir-fry all this for about 3 to 5 minutes. You want the veggies to be tender but still colorful. Now, add the cold rice to the pan. Break up any clumps as you stir. Pour the soy sauce over the rice mixture and stir well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Finally, stir in the sliced green onions. Cook everything for another 1 to 2 minutes until hot. Remove from heat to stop cooking. To serve, scoop the chicken fried rice into bowls. You can garnish with more green onions. Drizzle some sesame oil on top for extra flavor. Enjoy your easy chicken fried rice, which is simple and tasty! For the full recipe, check the earlier section. To make perfect fried rice, start with day-old rice. Fresh rice has too much moisture. Cold rice helps it fry well. Use a large skillet or wok for cooking. This gives you space to stir. Always keep the heat high. This lets the rice get crispy edges. Stir-frying is quick. You must work fast. Heat the oil until it shimmers. Add garlic first; it gives flavor. Push it aside to scramble eggs. This makes it easier to mix later. Add your chicken and veggies next. Stir them for a few minutes until they soften. Then, add the rice and soy sauce. Mix it well to coat every grain. One mistake is using too much oil. This can make the dish greasy. Another is not breaking up the rice. Clumps can form and make it hard to fry. Avoid overcooking the eggs. They should be fluffy, not dry. Lastly, don’t skip the green onions. They add freshness and color to your dish. For more detailed steps, check the Full Recipe. {{image_2}} You can make a tasty vegetarian fried rice. Just skip the chicken. Use more veggies like mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini. You can also add tofu for protein. Tofu soaks up flavors well and adds great texture. If you want variety, try shrimp or pork. Shrimp cooks fast and adds a nice seafood taste. You can also use diced ham or beef. Each option brings its own flavor and flair to the dish. To boost flavor, add a splash of rice vinegar or chili sauce. You can also mix in nuts like cashews for crunch. Fresh herbs like cilantro or basil can brighten each bite. For extra richness, drizzle sesame oil on top just before serving. Each tweak makes the dish unique and fun. For the full recipe, check the section above. To keep your chicken fried rice fresh, place it in an airtight container. Let it cool to room temperature first. Then, store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make sure to label the container with the date. This helps you track how long it has been stored. When you are ready to eat leftovers, use a skillet or microwave. If using a skillet, heat it over medium heat. Add a splash of water or oil to help steam the rice. Stir often for even heating. If using a microwave, place the rice in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover it with a damp paper towel to keep moisture in. Heat in 1-minute intervals until hot. For longer storage, you can freeze chicken fried rice. Place it in a freezer-safe container or a zip-lock bag. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. It will stay good for up to 2 months. When ready to use, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Then, reheat as mentioned above. This method keeps the flavors intact, letting you enjoy your meal later. For the full recipe, check out the Easy Chicken Fried Rice section! You can use fresh rice, but day-old rice works best. Fresh rice is moist and sticky. It clumps together when you fry it. Day-old rice is drier and easier to stir-fry. For best results, make your rice a day in advance. You can add many vegetables to fried rice. Some great options include: - Broccoli - Corn - Snow peas - Zucchini - Mushrooms Feel free to mix and match based on what you have on hand. The more colorful, the better! To make chicken fried rice gluten-free, swap regular soy sauce for gluten-free soy sauce. Tamari is a good option. Check that your other sauces are also gluten-free. This way, you can enjoy the same great taste without gluten. Chicken fried rice is a complete meal. You can serve it alone or with sides like: - Egg rolls - Dumplings - A side salad - Steamed vegetables These sides add variety and texture to your meal. Yes, this recipe is great for meal prep! You can make a big batch and store it. Keep it in airtight containers in the fridge. It lasts for up to four days. Just reheat it when you're ready to eat! For the full recipe, check out the recipe section. In this post, we covered how to make easy chicken fried rice. We explored essential and optional ingredients, plus great substitutions. You learned step-by-step how to prepare, cook, and serve. I shared tips to avoid common mistakes. We looked at variations for all diets and how to store leftovers. Remember, fried rice is fun and flexible. Enjoy experimenting with flavors and ingredients. Now you can impress family and friends with your meal!

Easy Chicken Fried Rice

Savor the flavors of homemade Easy Chicken Fried Rice with this quick and delicious recipe! Perfect for using up leftover rice, this dish combines tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and fluffy scrambled eggs, all tossed in savory soy sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s ideal for busy weeknights. Click to discover how to make this satisfying meal that everyone will love! Prepare to impress your family with your cooking skills!
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Ingredients
  

2 cups cooked rice (preferably day-old)

1 cup cooked chicken, diced

1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, bell peppers)

2 eggs, lightly beaten

3 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons sesame oil

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 green onions, sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Prepare the Ingredients: Ensure your cooked rice is cold and separated. Chop the cooked chicken and vegetables, and slice the green onions.

    Heat the Oil: In a large skillet or wok, heat the olive oil and sesame oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.

      Cook the Garlic: Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

        Scramble the Eggs: Push the garlic to one side of the skillet, pour the beaten eggs into the other side, and scramble them until fully cooked. Once cooked, mix them together with the garlic.

          Add Chicken and Vegetables: Add the diced chicken and mixed vegetables to the skillet. Stir-fry for about 3-5 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

            Incorporate Rice: Add the cold rice to the skillet, breaking up any clumps. Stir everything together to combine thoroughly.

              Season the Rice: Pour the soy sauce over the rice mixture and stir well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

                Finish and Serve: Stir in the sliced green onions. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until everything is hot. Remove from heat.

                  Plating: Serve the chicken fried rice in bowls, garnished with additional green onions and a drizzle of sesame oil if desired.

                    Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes | Servings: 4