Tasty Chinese fried rice

This Chinese fried rice is one of the most popular recipes on Everyday Easy Eats, for good reason. It tastes even better than takeout and is ready to eat in just 15 minutes. Let's Learn how to make homemade fried rice with this easy recipe, guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

Chinese Fried Rice Variations

There are so many different ways to make fried rice, so I encourage you to experiment with other ingredients you have on hand.

Chicken Fried Rice: Cook a couple of chicken breasts in a pan. Then shred or dice it and add it to your fried rice. For a shortcut, use leftover or rotisserie chicken.

Shrimp Fried Rice: Pan-fry a pound of peeled, raw shrimp and then stir it into your fried rice.

Kimchi Fried Rice: Kimchi adds an incredible flavor boost to this classic dish. Just chop and mix it in your fried rice.

Pork Fried Rice: Cook a boneless pork chop in a pan, then dice and add to your rice.

Beef Fried Rice: Sauté steak or brown ground beef in a pan, then crumble or dice and add to your fried rice.

Prep Time        Cook Time       Total Time

 5 mins              15 mins            20 mins

Tips for Making The Best Chinese Fried Rice

🔖 Use cold, cooked rice: The key to making perfect Chinese fried rice is using leftover, refrigerated rice. This is because chilled (preferably day-old) rice will separate nicely and won’t clump together in the pan. A freshly-cooked batch of warm rice will not fry well when it hits the hot pan, and will result in mushy clumps.

🔖 Use butter: Japanese steakhouses use a big pat of butter when they’re making fried rice for good reason. Using butter (rather than oil) makes the rice brown up perfectly and just makes everything taste so much better.

🔖Use long-grain, white rice: It cooks up fluffy and not sticky, with individual grains remaining distinct and firm. I find that Jasmine or Basmati rice gives the best consistency, fragrance, and flavor.

🔖 Use a wok or large skillet: You want to use a pan that seems large for the amount of rice and other ingredients you are using. This allows the ingredients in the pan to heat up quickly and evenly. It also gives you plenty of room to toss everything together without anything falling out of the pan.

How to Make Chinese Fried Rice

The process is simple — preheat your pan before swirling in oil and aromatics, then add uncooked proteins if applicable. Add in rice and vegetables, tossing ingredients for that toasty, golden-brown color that signals big flavor.

Ingredients (For 8 Servings)

✅ ⅔ cup chopped baby carrots

✅ 2 large eggs

✅ 3 cups leftover cooked and chilled white rice

✅ ½ cup frozen green peas

✅ 1 clove garlic, minced 

✅ 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

✅ 1 tablespoon soy sauce, or more to taste

✅ 2 teaspoons sesame oil, or to taste

Directions

Step 1:

❏ Assemble ingredients.

Step 2:

❏ Place carrots in a small saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a low boil and cook for around 5 minutes. Stir in peas, then immediately drain in a colander.

Step 3:

❏ Heat a wok over high heat. Pour in vegetable oil, then stir in carrots, peas, and garlic; cook for about 30 seconds. Add eggs; stir quickly to scramble eggs with vegetables.

Step 4:

❏ Stir in cooked rice. Add soy sauce and toss rice to coat. Drizzle with sesame oil and toss again.

Step 5:

❏ Serve hot and enjoy.

Try this Delicious Chinese fried rice recipe. Please leave me a comment and let me know! I always love to hear your thoughts. And check out the Tasty Jollof Rice recipe too.