Leftover Chicken Fried Rice

Leftover chicken fried rice is one of the easiest ways to turn two common leftovers — cooked chicken and cooked rice — into a completely different meal. Cold rice is actually useful here because the grains stay separate instead of becoming soft and sticky in the pan.

Why cold rice works best

Freshly cooked rice still holds a lot of surface moisture. After chilling, the grains firm up and are easier to toss over higher heat. If your rice is freshly cooked, spread it on a tray and let it cool before using it.

What you need

• Cold cooked rice
• Cooked chicken
• Eggs
• Frozen peas and carrots
• Green onions and garlic
• Soy sauce and optional sesame oil

How to keep fried rice from getting soggy

• Use a wide pan so moisture can escape.
• Do not add too much sauce.
• Let the rice contact the hot pan before constantly stirring it.
• Reheat the chicken only until hot so it does not dry out.

Leftover Chicken Fried Rice

A fast fried rice built around cooked chicken and cold rice, with vegetables, egg, and a simple savory sauce.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 3 cups cold cooked rice about 480 g
• 2 cups chopped cooked chicken about 280 g
• 2 tablespoons neutral cooking oil 30 ml
• 2 eggs lightly beaten
• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots about 150 g
• 3 green onions sliced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 30 ml
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil 5 ml, optional
• 1 garlic clove finely chopped
• Black pepper to taste

Method

 

1. Break up any clumps in the cold rice before you start cooking.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the eggs and scramble just until set, then transfer to a plate.
3. Add the remaining oil. Cook the garlic and the white parts of the green onions for about 30 seconds.
4. Add the peas and carrots, then the cooked chicken. Stir-fry until the chicken is hot throughout.
5. Add the cold rice. Press and toss it around the pan for 3 to 4 minutes so it heats evenly and gets a little toasted.
6. Return the egg to the pan. Add soy sauce, sesame oil if using, black pepper, and the green onion tops. Toss well and serve hot.

Storage and reheating

Use cooked rice and chicken that were cooled promptly and stored safely. Reheat the finished fried rice until it is steaming hot throughout, and avoid repeatedly cooling and reheating the same batch.

How long is chicken fried rice good for?

For food safety, refrigerate chicken fried rice within 2 hours and use refrigerated leftovers within 3 to 4 days. Reheat only the portion you plan to eat until it reaches at least 165°F (74°C). If you will not eat it within four days, freeze it instead. These storage limits follow current FoodSafety.gov cold-storage guidance.

Easy variations

Swap peas and carrots for corn, chopped broccoli, mushrooms, edamame, or another quick-cooking vegetable. A small spoonful of chili crisp or sriracha can add heat at the table.

Best order for cooking fried rice

Fried rice moves quickly once the pan is hot, so have everything ready before you start. Cook the egg first and move it aside, then heat the vegetables and aromatics. Add the cold rice and let it make contact with the hot pan before adding chicken and sauce. This order helps the rice fry instead of steaming in a crowded pan.

How much soy sauce should you use?

Start conservatively. Cooked chicken, especially rotisserie chicken, may already be seasoned, and different soy sauces vary in saltiness. It is easier to add another small splash at the end than to fix rice that has become overly salty or wet.

Common fried rice mistakes

• Using warm, wet rice straight from the pot.
• Overcrowding a small skillet so the ingredients steam.
• Pouring in too much sauce at once.
• Cooking already-cooked chicken for too long.
• Adding every ingredient at the same time instead of working in stages.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make fried rice without sesame oil?

Yes. Sesame oil adds aroma but is not required for the rice to cook properly. Use a neutral cooking oil for the pan and adjust the final seasoning to your taste.

Can I use brown rice?

Yes. Chilled cooked brown rice can be used with the same general method. Its firmer texture and flavor will make the finished dish slightly different, but the cooking order stays the same.

More leftover chicken ideas

For a broader list, see our 7 leftover rotisserie chicken recipes roundup.

If you also have cooked rice to use, leftover rice fritters with egg turn it into a crisp skillet meal. If pasta is the leftover you need to use next, try our leftover spaghetti bake. You can also browse more leftover recipes.