This easy chicken fried rice for two is a quick skillet dinner made with leftover rice, simple vegetables, and cooked chicken. It’s a perfect way to turn leftovers into a flavorful, satisfying meal.
This recipe is part of the Budget Comfort Meals for Two collection, where you’ll find simple, affordable dinners made with everyday ingredients.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Perfect way to use leftover rice
• Ready in about 20 minutes
• Budget-friendly ingredients
• Flexible — use whatever veggies you have
• Tastes better than takeout
Ingredients for Chicken Fried Rice
• 2 cups cold cooked rice (day-old rice works best)
• 1 cup cooked chicken, diced or shredded
• ½ cup frozen peas and carrots (or mixed vegetables)
• ¼ cup diced onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon oil (vegetable or sesame oil)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 green onion, sliced
• Salt and pepper to tast
Ingredient Notes
Cold cooked rice
Cold rice from the refrigerator works best because it stays separate and fries nicely. Fresh rice can become mushy.
Cooked chicken
Leftover rotisserie chicken, baked chicken, or even canned chicken can work.
Frozen vegetables
Frozen peas and carrots are convenient and budget friendly, but any mixed vegetables can be used.
Soy sauce
Soy sauce provides the classic fried rice flavor. Adjust the amount depending on how salty you like it.
How to Make Chicken Fried Rice
- Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until slightly softened.
- Stir in the garlic and frozen vegetables and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Add the cold rice and cooked chicken. Stir well and allow the rice to heat through.
- Spread the rice mixture out in the pan and let it cook undisturbed for about 1–2 minutes so the bottom can lightly brown.
- Add the soy sauce and stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
- Push the rice mixture to one side of the pan.
- Add the butter to the empty space and allow it to melt, then pour in the beaten eggs.
- Scramble the eggs until just set, then mix everything together.
- Season with salt and pepper if needed and sprinkle with sliced green onion before serving.
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
• Wok
• Wooden Utensil Set
• Cutting Board
• Knife Set
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Options
• Add a splash of sesame oil for extra flavor.
• Use leftover pork, shrimp, or beef instead of chicken.
• Add extra vegetables like bell peppers, cabbage, or mushrooms
Tips
• Cold rice is the key to good fried rice. Fresh rice can become sticky.
• Cook on high heat for the best texture.
• Let the rice sit for a minute before stirring to create lightly crispy bits.
Serving Suggestions
Serve chicken fried rice with simple sides like:
• Egg rolls
• Steamed broccoli
• Asian cucumber salad
• Hot and sour soup
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat in a skillet or microwave until heated through.
Budget Tips
This recipe is perfect for stretching leftovers.
• Use leftover rice from another meal.
• Rotisserie chicken works great.
• Frozen vegetables are inexpensive and last longer than fresh.
FAQ
Can I use freshly cooked rice?
Yes, but let it cool completely first so it doesn’t become sticky.
Can I make this without chicken?
Yes. The recipe works well as a simple vegetable fried rice.
Can I add extra soy sauce?
Absolutely. Adjust to taste depending on how salty you prefer it.
Try These Next
• French Onion Beef Noodle Skillet for Two
• Hamburger Stew for Two
• Chili Cornbread Casserole for Two
• Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken for Two
Plan Your Meals With Ease
My Meal Planner with Grocery List for Cooking for Two helps you organize weekly meals, create efficient shopping lists, reduce food waste, and save money on groceries. Perfect for couples, empty nesters, and small households who want simple, budget-friendly meal planning without stress.
Leave a Reply