Protein-Packed Chicken Fried Rice Recipe
This Protein-Packed Chicken Fried Rice is a quick and nutritious meal combining tender chicken breast, wholesome brown rice, and colorful vegetables. With a perfect balance of savory sauces and a hint of sesame oil, this stir-fried dish offers a satisfying and flavorful way to enjoy a healthy dinner or lunch in just 25 minutes.
- Author: Marco
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Low Fat
Protein
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into 1-inch pieces
- 2 large eggs, beaten
Vegetables
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots blend
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 white onion, diced
- 2 green onions, sliced
Rice
- 3 cups cooked brown rice (preferably chilled)
Oils & Sauces
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: sesame seeds for garnish
- Heat oil: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
- Cook chicken: Season the diced chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then add them to the hot skillet. Cook for about 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the diced white onion and minced garlic, sautéing them for 2-3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
- Scramble eggs: Push the onion and garlic to one side of the skillet. Pour the beaten eggs into the empty side and scramble them until fully cooked. Then, mix the scrambled eggs with the onion and garlic.
- Add rice: Add the chilled cooked brown rice to the skillet, breaking up any clumps with a spatula. Stir-fry the mixture for about 3 minutes so the rice gets heated through evenly.
- Combine ingredients: Stir in the frozen peas and carrots, cooked chicken pieces, low-sodium soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. Cook everything together for another 2-3 minutes to blend the flavors well.
- Add green onions: Remove the skillet from heat. Add the sliced green onions and stir to combine evenly throughout the fried rice.
- Serve: Serve the chicken fried rice warm, optionally garnished with sesame seeds for extra texture and flavor.
Notes
- Using chilled cooked rice helps prevent the rice from becoming mushy during frying.
- You can substitute brown rice with white or jasmine rice if preferred but adjust the cooking and cooling times accordingly.
- Adjust soy sauce and oyster sauce quantities to taste depending on salt preference.
- For a spicier version, add a dash of crushed red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce.
- Vegetarian option: replace chicken with firm tofu and omit oyster sauce, using mushroom sauce instead.
Keywords: chicken fried rice, healthy fried rice, brown rice recipe, quick dinner, protein packed meal, Asian chicken rice, easy chicken recipe