Irresistible Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

Whipping up a mouthwatering restaurant-style chicken fried rice at home doesn’t have to be complicated.

Skilled home cooks can master this delectable dish with a few simple techniques.

Professional chefs rely on high heat and quick movements to create that signature crispy texture.

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in developing complex, layered flavors.

Fragrant jasmine rice, tender chicken pieces, and crisp vegetables form the perfect flavor combination.

Seasonings like soy sauce and sesame oil add depth and authenticity to the dish.

You’ll want to grab a wok and get cooking to experience this restaurant-quality meal right in your own kitchen.

Why Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice Feels Like Takeout

• Savor Restaurant-Quality Cooking: Master a gourmet chicken fried rice that rivals professional chefs' creations right in your kitchen.
• Simplify Meal Preparation: Streamline your cooking process with one-pan technique that transforms basic ingredients into a delicious, satisfying meal without complicated steps.
• Customize Your Comfort Food: Adapt the recipe by swapping vegetables, proteins, or seasoning to match your taste preferences and pantry ingredients.
• Quick Family Crowd-Pleaser: Delight everyone at the table with a universally loved dish that combines protein, vegetables, and rice in a single, hearty meal that appeals to both kids and adults.

What You Need For Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice

• Chicken: A lean protein that adds savory flavor and substance to the fried rice.

• Onion, Frozen Mixed Vegetables: Provide a colorful and nutritious base that adds texture and freshness to the dish.

• Eggs: Help bind the ingredients together and add richness to the fried rice.
• Cooked Rice: The foundational ingredient that serves as the main carbohydrate in the dish.

• Soy Sauce, Lemon Juice: Create a balanced, tangy, and umami flavor profile for the fried rice.
• Sesame Oil, Neutral Oil, Butter: Provide essential cooking fat and enhance the overall taste and texture of the dish.

• Sesame Seeds: Optional garnish that adds a subtle nutty flavor and visual appeal.
• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that help enhance the overall taste of the dish.

How To Make Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice Fast

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Base

• Soy sauce
• Butter
• Lemon juice

Season with salt and pepper. Cook gently for 1-3 minutes until chicken browns and loses pink color.

Step 2: Set Chicken Aside

Transfer cooked chicken to a separate bowl. Quickly wipe skillet clean.

Step 3: Sauté Vegetables

• Diced onions
• Frozen mixed vegetables

Sauté for 3 minutes until onions become translucent and vegetables soften.

Step 4: Scramble Eggs

Push vegetables to one side of skillet. Crack eggs directly into open space and scramble until fully cooked.

Step 5: Build Fried Rice

Add cooked rice and butter to skillet. Stir frequently, breaking rice clumps for 5 minutes.

Step 6: Season and Combine

Pour in soy sauce and cook for an additional minute. Return chicken to skillet, season with salt and pepper. Stir everything together until heated through.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Portion into serving bowls. Optional: Sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Serve immediately while hot.

Helpful Tips For Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice

• Boost Rice Texture: Use day-old cold rice to prevent sticky, mushy fried rice and achieve perfect, separated grains.
• Maximize Flavor Depth: Brown chicken quickly over high heat to develop rich caramelized edges and lock in savory taste.
• Quick Vegetable Hack: Thaw frozen mixed vegetables beforehand to ensure even cooking and prevent excess moisture.
• Prevent Egg Scrambling Mishaps: Create a small well in the vegetable side of the skillet before adding eggs for controlled scrambling.
• Elevate Seasoning Balance: Adjust soy sauce and salt gradually, tasting as you go to maintain a perfect umami profile without overwhelming saltiness.

Fun Ideas For Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice

• Veggie Protein Power: Replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, marinated in soy sauce and lemon juice for extra flavor. Perfect for vegetarian meal lovers.
• Seafood Sensation: Swap chicken with shrimp or diced salmon, creating a quick ocean-inspired fried rice variation with rich protein options.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Use cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice, reducing carbohydrates while maintaining the classic fried rice texture and taste.
• Spicy Korean Kick: Add gochujang or sriracha sauce for a bold, fiery version that transforms the original recipe into a zesty Asian-inspired meal.

What To Serve With Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice

• Flavor-Boosting Wine Pairing: Select a crisp, light-bodied white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the savory chicken fried rice, cutting through its richness while enhancing the dish's subtle Asian-inspired flavors.
• Refreshing Beverage Match: Pour a cold Asian beer such as Sapporo or Tsingtao, which provides a clean, light taste that perfectly balances the robust umami notes of the fried rice and cleanses the palate between bites.
• Zesty Accompaniment Choice: Brew a pot of jasmine green tea to serve alongside the dish, offering a delicate, aromatic counterpoint that highlights the rice's complex seasonings and provides a traditional Asian dining experience.

Storing Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice With Care

• Transfer leftovers to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the container's seal tight to prevent moisture loss and maintain freshness.
• Pack chicken fried rice in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, label with date, and freeze for up to 1 month. Avoid storing for longer to prevent texture degradation.
• Place rice in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons water to restore moisture. Cover with a damp paper towel, heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Check temperature to ensure even warming.

Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice FAQs

• Is chicken fried rice a healthy meal?

Chicken fried rice can be a balanced meal when prepared with lean protein, vegetables, and moderate oil. It provides protein, complex carbohydrates, and essential nutrients from mixed vegetables.

• Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Yes, brown rice is an excellent substitute. It offers more fiber, nutrients, and a slightly nuttier flavor compared to white rice while maintaining the dish’s overall texture.

• What type of chicken works best for this recipe?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs are ideal. They cook quickly, remain tender, and absorb seasonings well, creating a flavorful protein component.

Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 15-18 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Savor restaurant-quality chicken fried rice that brings Asian street food magic to your kitchen. Perfectly seasoned rice, tender chicken, and crisp vegetables create a flavor-packed meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 0.75 pound chicken breasts
• 2 large eggs

Grains and Vegetables:

• 4 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas and carrots)
• 0.5 cup diced white onion

Oils, Seasonings, and Condiments:

• 1.5 teaspoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons neutral oil (avocado or canola oil)
• 1 teaspoon neutral oil
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 5 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• Salt (to taste)
• Pepper (to taste)
• Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Ignite sesame and neutral oils in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
2. Introduce chicken pieces and sear for 1 minute without movement, allowing golden caramelization.
3. Drizzle soy sauce, incorporate butter, splash lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper. Gently maneuver chicken until thoroughly cooked and bronzed, approximately 1-3 minutes.
4. Relocate chicken to a separate bowl, thoroughly cleanse skillet to prepare for next stage.
5. Reignite skillet with neutral oil, tumble diced onions and frozen vegetables into hot surface. Sauté for 3 minutes until onions turn translucent and vegetables become tender.
6. Segregate vegetables to skillet’s side, crack eggs directly into open space and scramble until completely set.
7. Incorporate cooked rice and butter, stirring consistently for 5 minutes while dismantling rice clusters.
8. Cascade soy sauce across mixture, continuing to stir for an additional minute to distribute flavors evenly.
9. Reunite chicken with rice ensemble, season comprehensively, and blend until uniformly heated.
10. Transfer to serving vessels, optionally crown with sesame seeds, and present immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Quickly sear chicken in hot oil to lock in moisture and create a crispy exterior without overcooking.
• Use day-old rice for the best texture, as freshly cooked rice can become mushy and clump together during stir-frying.
• Customize vegetable mix based on personal preference or seasonal availability, keeping frozen mixed vegetables as a convenient quick alternative.
• For gluten-free version, swap soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.

• Prep Time: 0 minutes
• Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 370 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 510 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 140 mg