Easy Ground Chicken Fried Rice

Easy Ground Chicken Fried Rice transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal in just minutes. The tender ground chicken, fluffy rice, and colorful vegetables create a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that satisfy your takeout cravings without leaving home. The aromatic sesame oil and savory soy sauce infuse every grain of rice with authentic Asian flavors that will transport your taste buds. You’ll learn how to create this quick weeknight dinner that’s both economical and delicious.

Introduction

Easy Ground Chicken Fried Rice is the ultimate weeknight solution when you’re craving something satisfying but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. Unlike traditional fried rice that uses sliced chicken, the ground chicken in this recipe cooks incredibly fast and distributes evenly throughout the dish, ensuring every bite is packed with protein. This family-friendly meal comes together in one pan, minimizing cleanup while maximizing flavor. The combination of tender chicken, fluffy rice, colorful vegetables, and savory seasonings creates a balanced meal that’s both nutritious and crave-worthy. You’ll learn how to achieve that perfect restaurant-quality texture and flavor in your own kitchen with minimal effort.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Easy Ground Chicken Fried Rice will quickly become a staple in your meal rotation for so many reasons. First, it’s incredibly versatile – you can customize it based on whatever vegetables you have in your refrigerator. The ground chicken offers a more affordable protein option compared to chicken breasts while providing the same satisfying taste and nutrition.

The textural contrast is what makes this dish truly special. The tender ground chicken pieces against the slightly crisp vegetables and perfectly cooked rice create an exciting mouthfeel with every bite. The rice grains remain distinct and fluffy, not clumpy or soggy, while absorbing all those delicious Asian-inspired flavors.

Time is another major advantage – this chicken fried rice comes together in under 30 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Plus, it’s a complete meal in one pan, offering protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables all in a single dish that both kids and adults will eagerly devour. The leftovers also reheat beautifully, making this recipe perfect for meal prep or next-day lunches that taste just as good as when freshly made.

Ingredients

To make this delicious Easy Ground Chicken Fried Rice, you’ll need:

• 1 pound (455g) ground chicken
• 3 cups (600g) cooked and chilled rice (preferably day-old)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 medium onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
• 2 medium carrots, diced small (about ¾ cup)
• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• ¼ cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons green onions, thinly sliced
• ½ teaspoon white pepper
• Salt to taste

The key to authentic flavor is using cold, day-old rice which prevents the fried rice from becoming mushy. The combination of fresh ginger and garlic creates that aromatic base essential for authentic Asian flavors, while sesame oil adds the distinctive nutty taste that elevates this dish from basic to restaurant-quality.

Pro Tips

Use cold rice: The single most important tip for perfect Easy Ground Chicken Fried Rice is starting with cold, day-old rice. Freshly cooked rice contains too much moisture and will create a soggy final dish. If you’re in a hurry, spread freshly cooked rice on a baking sheet and refrigerate for 1-2 hours before using.

Cook in batches: Don’t overcrowd your pan or wok. The secret to restaurant-quality fried rice is cooking at high heat with plenty of space. If necessary, cook your ingredients in batches, starting with the eggs, then the chicken, then combining everything. This ensures each component maintains its proper texture and caramelization without steaming.

Season properly: Most home cooks under-season their fried rice. Add soy sauce incrementally and taste as you go. The rice should have a beautiful golden-brown color and savory flavor without being overly salty. Remember that cold rice absorbs flavors differently than hot rice, so you may need slightly more seasoning than you think. Also, don’t skip the white pepper and sesame oil – these two ingredients are what give authentic fried rice its distinctive flavor profile.

Instructions

Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beaten eggs and scramble until just set but still slightly moist, about 30 seconds. Transfer the eggs to a plate and set aside.

Step 2: In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the ground chicken and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until no longer pink, about 3-4 minutes. Make sure to break the chicken into small pieces as it cooks for the best texture in your Easy Ground Chicken Fried Rice.

Step 3: Add the diced onions and carrots to the chicken. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 4: Increase the heat to high and add the cold rice to the pan. Break up any clumps and toss everything together, allowing the rice to heat through and slightly crisp on the bottom, about 3 minutes. Don’t stir too frequently—allowing the rice to sit against the hot pan creates those desirable crispy bits.

Step 5: Pour the soy sauce around the perimeter of the pan (this allows it to heat up before hitting the rice) and quickly stir to distribute evenly. Add the thawed peas and continue stir-frying for another 1-2 minutes.

Step 6: Return the scrambled eggs to the pan and break them into smaller pieces as you mix them in. Drizzle the sesame oil over everything and add the white pepper. Toss well to combine all ingredients.

Step 7: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions before serving your delicious Easy Ground Chicken Fried Rice.

Variations

Spicy Chicken Fried Rice: Transform your Easy Ground Chicken Fried Rice into a heat-packed meal by adding 1-2 tablespoons of sriracha or chili garlic sauce during the final minute of cooking. For even more spice, incorporate a thinly sliced fresh jalapeño or serrano pepper when sautéing the vegetables. A sprinkle of red pepper flakes on top provides both color and additional heat for spice enthusiasts.

Vegetable-Packed Version: Boost the nutritional profile by doubling the vegetables. Add bell peppers, snow peas, broccoli florets, or mushrooms along with the carrots and onions. This variation makes your chicken rice stir fry even more colorful and nutrient-dense while maintaining the delicious flavor profile of the original recipe.

Gluten-Free Adaptation: Make this dish gluten-free by substituting regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. These alternatives provide the same savory umami flavor without the gluten, making this Easy Ground Chicken Fried Rice accessible to those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

Storage and Serving

Store leftover Easy Ground Chicken Fried Rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, sprinkle a few drops of water over the rice before microwaving to restore moisture, or better yet, reheat in a skillet with a small amount of oil to regain some of that wonderful texture. For longer storage, freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.

For serving, present your Easy Ground Chicken Fried Rice in a large bowl as a stand-alone meal, or serve it as part of an Asian-inspired feast alongside egg rolls, steamed dumplings, or a simple miso soup. For an elegant presentation, mold the rice using a small bowl, then invert onto plates and garnish with additional green onions, sesame seeds, and cilantro.

Create a complete meal by serving with a side of simple cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. The cool, crisp cucumbers provide a refreshing contrast to the savory fried rice and help balance the meal.

FAQs

Can I use freshly cooked rice instead of day-old rice?
While day-old rice produces the best results for Easy Ground Chicken Fried Rice, you can use fresh rice in a pinch. After cooking, spread the rice on a baking sheet and place it in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes to cool and dry out slightly before using.

What can I substitute for ground chicken?
Ground turkey, pork, or beef work excellently as alternatives. For a vegetarian version, crumbled tofu or tempeh makes a great protein substitute in this versatile fried rice recipe.

Why is my fried rice soggy?
Soggy rice usually results from using warm rice or overcrowding the pan. Always use cold rice and cook in batches if necessary to maintain high heat and allow proper moisture evaporation.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes! Easy Ground Chicken Fried Rice actually tastes better the next day as the flavors have time to meld. Store it properly refrigerated and reheat thoroughly before serving.

How can I make this recipe lower in sodium?
Use low-sodium soy sauce and reduce the amount to 2-3 tablespoons. You can supplement the flavor with other sodium-free seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or a dash of rice vinegar.

Conclusion

This Easy Ground Chicken Fried Rice is comfort food at its finest — quick, satisfying, and packed with protein and vegetables in every flavorful bite. It’s the kind of dish that solves weeknight dinner dilemmas while still feeling special enough to look forward to. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or meal prepping for the week ahead, this versatile recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort and common ingredients. Master this basic technique, and you’ll have an endlessly customizable meal that works for lunch, dinner, or anytime you’re craving something delicious that comes together in minutes.

Print