Description
This Simple Chicken Fried Rice recipe is a quick and flavorful dish combining tender chicken breast, mixed vegetables, and day-old rice, all stir-fried with garlic, eggs, and a savory soy sauce seasoning. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal, it’s easy to prepare and packed with balanced flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups Cooked Rice (Day-old rice is ideal for this recipe.)
- 1 pound Chicken Breast (Boneless, skinless, cut into small pieces.)
- 1 cup Mixed Vegetables (Peas, carrots, and bell peppers.)
- 1 handful Green Onions (Chopped.)
- 2 cloves Garlic (Finely minced.)
- 3 tablespoons Soy Sauce (Regular or low-sodium.)
- 1 tablespoon Sesame Oil (Adds a nutty flavor.)
- 2 large Eggs (Lightly beaten.)
- Salt and Pepper to taste (For seasoning.)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Cook and cool the rice ahead of time if not already done. Chop the mixed vegetables, dice the chicken breast into small pieces, and finely mince the garlic. Slice the green onions and lightly beat the eggs.
- Heat Sesame Oil: Place a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the sesame oil and heat until it begins to shimmer, indicating it’s hot enough to start frying.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the hot oil and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring frequently until fragrant but not burnt.
- Cook Chicken: Add the diced chicken breast to the skillet. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken pieces turn golden brown and are cooked through with no pink inside.
- Scramble Eggs: Push the cooked chicken to one side of the skillet. Pour the beaten eggs into the cleared side and scramble them gently until fully cooked and slightly firm.
- Add Vegetables: Mix in the cup of mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, and bell peppers). Stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes, ensuring the vegetables are heated through but still crisp.
- Combine Rice: Add the cooked rice to the skillet, breaking apart any clumps with your spatula. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Add Soy Sauce: Pour the soy sauce evenly over the rice mixture and stir well to distribute the flavor throughout the dish.
- Include Green Onions: Stir in the chopped green onions and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to integrate their fresh flavor.
- Season and Serve: Taste the fried rice and season with salt and pepper as desired. Give everything one last good stir, then serve the fried rice hot.
Notes
- Day-old rice is best as it is drier and prevents the dish from becoming mushy.
- You can substitute chicken breast with shrimp or tofu for variation.
- For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of grated ginger with the garlic.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce salt content.
- This recipe can be made vegetarian by omitting chicken and using vegetable oil instead of sesame oil.
