Prep: 10 This 30-Minute Chicken Fried Rice recipe is one of my favorite go-to’s when it comes to busy weeknight dinners. It’s easy to make, my kids love it, and we can keep eating the leftovers for days! But what makes this recipe extra-special is that it’s a healthier take on chicken fried rice, it can be made entirely in one pan, and comes together in just 25-30 minutes. This is the best homemade chicken fried rice recipe!
This Easy Chicken Fried Rice is your new go-to!
Savory pan-cooked chicken, flavorful sautéed veggies, scrambled eggs, and brown rice tossed in a tamari or coconut aminos based sauce. All made in one pan and in under 30 minutes. It doesn’t get any easier than this 30-Minute Chicken Fried Rice recipe for a healthy, flavorful weeknight dinner!
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”qFY7nxj7″ upload-date=”2023-08-23T08:00:00.000Z” name=”Easy 30-Minute Chicken Fried Rice” description=”It doesn’t get any easier than this 30-Minute Chicken Fried Rice recipe for a healthy, flavorful weeknight dinner! Savory pan-cooked chicken, flavorful sautéed veggies, scrambled eggs, and brown rice tossed in a tamari or coconut aminos based sauce. All made in one pan and in under 30 minutes. Yum!” player-type=”default” override-embed=”default”]I’ve been making this easy recipe for years and my kids always get excited when they see it in the works. You can adjust the veggies to taste, use oil and soy sauce (tamari, (opens in a new tab) coconut aminos) of your choice, or even make a double batch to freeze some for later. There are so many ways to adjust this recipe and truly make it work for you and your family!
RELATED: 100+ Quick Healthy Dinner Ideas (30 Minutes Or Less) (opens in a new tab)
Is This Easy Chicken Fried Rice Healthy?
Yes, Chicken Fried Rice can be healthy! Because it’s made with lean chicken breast, brown rice or cauliflower rice, and plenty of vegetables (like peas, carrots, bell peppers, and broccoli), it’s high in nutrition. While take out fried rice tends to be higher in sodium, making it at home can be an even healthier option!
Easy Chicken Fried Rice Recipe Ingredients
- Toasted Sesame Oil (opens in a new tab)
- Cooking Oil (vegetable oil, refined avocado oil, etc.)
- Chicken Breast (cut into bite-sized pieces) – cubed boneless skinless chicken thighs work great, too!
- Green Onion
- Minced Garlic
- Broccoli
- Red Bell Pepper
- Frozen Peas, Carrots, & Corn
- Eggs
- Cooked Brown Rice – day-old rice or microwave rice (opens in a new tab) are both great options.
- Brown Sugar
- Tamari or Coconut Aminos (opens in a new tab) (or low-sodium soy sauce)
- Freshly Grated Ginger
How to Make Homemade Chicken Fried Rice
Here’s how to make a healthier chicken fried rice in just 30 minutes. It’s so delicious!
- Lightly fry the cubed chicken in sesame oil, cooking oil, and salt/pepper to taste in a non-stick pan (opens in a new tab) or cast-iron skillet. Set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables in oil until fork-tender.
- Push the veggies to the side of the pan and scramble the eggs in the center.
- Add in cooked rice, the cooked chicken, brown sugar, soy sauce/tamari, and ginger, then sauté for a couple of minutes to let the flavors blend.
- Add more salt/pepper to taste, then top with red pepper flakes and extra green onions!
You’ll Also Love: Healthy Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Healthy Chicken Fried Rice Variations
Make this Easy Chicken Fried Rice in advance!
This quick chicken fried rice recipe can be made ahead of time or meal prepped. Simply cook the recipe according to directions and store the dish for later. It’s that easy!
What to Eat with Chicken Fried Rice
- Soup: Specifically, egg drop soup! This is the best pairing.
- Spring Rolls or Egg Rolls: These crispy appetizers are a classic pairing for Chicken Fried Rice.
- Salads or Greens: Steamed or stir-fried bok choy, Chinese broccoli, or a spinach salad are perfect sides.
- Fried Wontons: Who doesn’t love crispy wontons filled with meat or vegetables? They’re so yummy.
- Asian Slaw: A refreshing salad with cabbage, carrots, and a light sesame dressing.
- Fresh Fruit: Pineapple chunks, sliced mango, or watermelon can add a sweet and juicy element that balances perfectly with the flavors in fried rice.
How to Store This Recipe for Chicken Fried Rice
Have leftovers? Refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days. To freeze, let cool in the fridge for 1 hour, then move to the freezer and store for up to 3 months! When ready to enjoy, add about 1/2-1 Tablespoon of water, broth, or tamari and microwave for a few minutes until warm (stirring often).
More Easy, Healthy 30-Minute Meals for the Family
- Mahi-Mahi Fish Taco Bowls
- Weeknight Chicken Pad Thai
- Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta
- Hot Honey Salmon Bowls
- Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole
Did you make this Easy Chicken Fried Rice recipe? Rate it below and follow along on Instagram (opens in a new tab) for more healthy dinner ideas!
Chicken Fried Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 teaspoons toasted sesame oil (opens in a new tab) (divided)
- 2 Tablespoons cooking oil (vegetable, refined avocado, etc.)
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast (cut into cubes)
- 1/3 cup green onion, diced (plus extra for topping)
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 cups broccoli (finely chopped)
- 1 medium red bell pepper (diced)
- 2 cups frozen peas, carrots, & corn (total, not each)
- 3 large eggs (lightly beaten)
- 3 cups cooked brown rice
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 4 Tablespoons tamari or coconut aminos (opens in a new tab) (or low-sodium soy sauce, divided)
- 1 Tablespoon freshly grated ginger
Instructions
- Add 2 teaspoons of the toasted sesame oil and 2 tablespoons of the plain oil to a large pan over medium heat.
- Once hot, add in the chicken pieces with a pinch of salt and pepper and sauté until completely cooked through, about 6 minutes.
- Set the chicken on a plate to the side.
- Add in the remaining sesame oil.
- Sauté the chopped green onion, garlic, broccoli, bell pepper and frozen veggies for about 5 minutes or until the broccoli is fork tender.
- Push the veggies to the side and add in the beaten eggs and scramble.
- Add back in the chicken, rice, brown sugar, soy sauce/tamari, and ginger, then sauté for a couple of minutes to let the flavors blend.
- Taste and adjust flavors as desired, adding more salt as desired or red pepper flakes for spice.
- Garnish with extra diced green onion and enjoy!
Watch Me Make This
Nutrition
Did you make this? I’d love to see!
Tag me on socials at @JarOfLemons (opens in a new tab) or #JarOfLemons (opens in a new tab)
Delicious! I meal prepped this for lunch for the week and it turned out great. The only thing I have to say is that if definitely took longer than 30 minutes between chopping the broccoli, bell pepper, spring onion, ginger garlic, dicing the chicken and measuring out seasonings etc. But overall, a very nutritious and tasty recipe, would recommend!
Thanks for the feedback, Aisha! So glad you enjoyed this. 🙂
Loved this! Made exactly as written. Will definitely be making this again!
Sounds delicious, looking forward to making this week! Have you ever tried it with ground chicken? That’s what I currently have on hand and was wondering.
Love the recipe and definitely going to give it a shot, but had one question: you say to use the first half of the oil for the chicken to brown it, but I’m not sure which step the second half of the oil gets factored in. Any help here would be appreciated, and really enjoy all your recipes in general!
Thanks, Thomas! Oops, so sorry for leaving that out. The remaining oil would be used to cook the eggs in the next step! I hope you enjoy the recipe!
This is sooooo yummy!
I added some edamame (cooked it in the micro and then shelled and put it in the pan at the end) and just a little bit of sesame oil.
Thank you so much for these recipes. They are easy, healthy, yummy, and delicious!
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Rachel! YUM. Edamame sounds amazing with this dish!