Are you craving that comforting, savory, and completely satisfying flavor of your favorite Chinese restaurant-style fried rice, but need a delicious dinner on the table in about 15 minutes? This incredible, super-shortcut Easy Chicken Fried Rice is your new weeknight superstar! This recipe is a masterclass in smart, convenient ingredients, using a rotisserie chicken, ready-to-serve rice, and frozen vegetables to create a complete, wholesome, and delicious meal with minimal effort and cleanup.
This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a guide to the ultimate “takeout fake-out.” We’ll show you how to transform a handful of simple shortcuts into a hot, fresh, and flavorful meal that is faster, healthier, and so much more delicious than delivery. This is the perfect, family-friendly solution for those hectic weeknights when you need a guaranteed winner.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Recipe Overview: The Ultimate Shortcut Fried Rice
What makes this Chicken Fried Rice so spectacularly easy and fast is its brilliant use of three major, time-saving shortcuts. Instead of cooking rice from scratch and waiting for it to cool, we use convenient ready-to-serve rice pouches. Instead of cooking raw chicken, we use a flavorful, juicy, store-bought rotisserie chicken. And instead of chopping a mountain of vegetables, we use a simple bag of frozen mixed veggies. These three shortcuts come together in a single skillet to create a classic, savory, and incredibly satisfying fried rice that the whole family will absolutely love.
| Metric | Time / Level |
| Total Time | 15 minutes |
| Active Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
| Servings | 6 |
The Essential Ingredients for This “Better Than Takeout” Meal
This recipe uses a handful of smart shortcuts and pantry staples to create its signature comforting and savory flavor.
- The Shortcut Stars: These are the keys to making this a true 15-minute meal.
- Ready-to-Serve Rice: Using three 8.8-ounce packages of your favorite brand of ready-to-serve rice is a fantastic alternative to using traditional, day-old, cold rice. The rice in these pouches is already perfectly cooked and the grains are nicely separated, which makes them ideal for stir-frying without becoming mushy.
- Rotisserie Chicken: A store-bought rotisserie chicken is a massive time-saver and a fantastic flavor booster. The roasted chicken is already incredibly tender, juicy, and savory.
- Frozen Mixed Vegetables: A classic bag of frozen mixed vegetables (typically a blend of peas, carrots, corn, and green beans) adds color, nutrition, and a sweet flavor with zero chopping required.
- The Flavor Base:
- Sesame Oil: This is a key ingredient for that authentic, nutty, and aromatic “takeout” flavor. We use a little bit for cooking and a final drizzle at the end for a powerful burst of flavor.
- The Pro-Tip for Perfect Flavor (A Simple Sauce!): While this recipe is very simple, for a truly authentic, savory-sweet fried rice flavor, we highly recommend adding a quick, 2-ingredient sauce: simply whisk 2-3 tablespoons of low-sodium soy sauce and 1 teaspoon of sugar or honey in with the chicken broth and other seasonings.
Step-by-Step to the Easiest Chicken Fried Rice
This delicious meal comes together in minutes. The key is to have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go next to your stove before you begin!
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients and Cook the Eggs
Step 1: First, prepare your 1 package of frozen mixed vegetables according to the package directions.
Step 2: In a large skillet or a wok, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat.
Step 3: Pour your 2 lightly beaten large eggs into the hot skillet. Cook and stir gently until the eggs are thickened and there is no liquid egg remaining. Remove the scrambled eggs from the pan and set them aside on a plate.
Part 2: Stir-Fry the Rice and Combine
Step 1: In the same skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the sesame oil and the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat.
Step 2: Add your 3 packages of ready-to-serve garden vegetable rice to the skillet. Cook and stir the rice, breaking up any clumps with your spatula, for 10 to 12 minutes, until the rice is heated all the way through and is beginning to get some beautiful, golden-brown, toasted spots.
Step 3: Stir in your shredded rotisserie chicken, the 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and the 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
Step 4: Add the reserved scrambled eggs and the cooked mixed vegetables to the skillet. Continue to heat everything through, breaking the eggs into small pieces and stirring to combine all the ingredients.
Step 5: Drizzle the fried rice with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sesame oil, toss one last time, and serve immediately.
The Quickest & Easiest Chicken Fried Rice (15-Minute Recipe!)
An exceptionally quick and easy recipe for chicken fried rice that utilizes several convenient shortcuts. The dish is made in a large skillet and features pre-cooked, ready-to-serve rice which is stir-fried until it begins to brown. The fried rice is combined with shredded rotisserie chicken, cooked frozen mixed vegetables, and scrambled eggs. The entire dish is finished with a flavorful drizzle of sesame oil, making it a perfect weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 1 package (12 ounces) frozen mixed vegetables
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 4 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
- 3 packages (8.8 ounces each) ready-to-serve garden vegetable rice
- 1 rotisserie chicken, skin removed, shredded
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Cook the frozen vegetables according to the package directions.
- While the vegetables are cooking, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pour in the beaten eggs; cook and stir until the eggs are thickened and no liquid egg remains. Remove the scrambled eggs from the pan.
- In the same skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of sesame oil and the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the rice; cook and stir for 10-12 minutes, until the rice begins to brown.
- Stir in the shredded chicken, salt, and pepper.
- Add the cooked scrambled eggs and the cooked vegetables to the skillet. Heat everything through, breaking the eggs into small pieces and stirring to combine.
- Drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sesame oil, toss to combine, and serve immediately.
Notes
- This recipe is designed for maximum convenience and speed, using shortcuts like pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, ready-to-serve rice, and frozen vegetables.
- The entire meal is made in a single skillet (after cooking the vegetables), making for very easy cleanup.
- The final drizzle of sesame oil after cooking is a key step that adds a rich, toasted nutty aroma and flavor.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
This is a fantastic meal-prep recipe for a week of delicious and easy lunches.
- Make-Ahead: For a super-fast and impressive weeknight meal, you can get a head start by preparing all your components in advance. The vegetables can be cooked, the chicken can be shredded, and the eggs can be scrambled. Store everything in separate, airtight containers in the refrigerator. This turns the final dish into a true, 5-minute assembly and stir-fry job.
- Storage: Store any leftover fried rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: The best way to reheat fried rice is back in a hot skillet or a wok with a tiny drizzle of oil. You can also reheat it in the microwave.
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Creative Recipe Variations
- Use a Different Protein: If you’re not a fan of chicken, this easy fried rice is also absolutely fantastic with an equal amount of leftover cooked and chopped pork, steak, or shrimp. For a great vegetarian version, you can simply add some cubed, firm tofu or an extra egg.
- Add Some Authentic Aromatics: For an even deeper and more authentic flavor, you can sauté about 1 tablespoon each of freshly minced garlic and freshly grated ginger in the hot oil for about 30 seconds until they are fragrant, before you add the rice.
- Make it Spicy: For a delicious, spicy kick, you can drizzle the finished fried rice with a little bit of your favorite sriracha or a chili garlic sauce.
Enjoy Your “Better Than Takeout” Meal!
You’ve just created a truly special dish that is a perfect harmony of wholesome, classic ingredients and delicious, satisfying flavors. This Easy Chicken Fried Rice is a testament to the power of a few smart shortcuts to create a meal that is both incredibly fast and incredibly delicious. It’s a rewarding and deeply satisfying recipe that is sure to become a new family favorite for busy weeknights.
We hope you enjoy every last, perfect, and delicious bite!
If you enjoyed making this recipe, please leave a comment below or share it with a friend who loves a good, easy, and comforting meal!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the absolute, number one secret to perfect, non-sticky fried rice?
The traditional secret is to use cold, day-old, cooked rice. When rice cools in the refrigerator, the starches firm up, which makes the grains separate and not sticky. This recipe’s brilliant shortcut is to use ready-to-serve rice pouches. The rice in these pouches is already perfectly cooked and has a similar, firm texture to day-old rice, which makes it a fantastic and convenient substitute.
Q2: Can I use freshly cooked rice for fried rice?
It is not recommended. Fresh, hot, and steamy rice has a very high moisture content and soft starches, which will cause it to become very sticky, clumpy, and mushy when you try to stir-fry it.
Q3: What is the best way to reheat leftover fried rice?
The absolute best way to reheat fried rice and bring back some of its original texture is in a hot skillet or a wok with just a tiny drizzle of a neutral oil. Stir-fry it for just a few minutes until it is hot all the way through. You can also reheat it in the microwave.
Q4: What are some other classic ingredients that I can add to my chicken fried rice?
A few classic and delicious additions would be some finely chopped green onions, some diced water chestnuts for a great crunch, some bean sprouts, or a simple sauce made with soy sauce.
Q5: Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! To make this recipe gluten-free, be sure to use a brand of ready-to-serve rice that is certified gluten-free, and if you are adding a sauce, be sure to use a gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.