Plento Pasto CookbookEasy Chicken Fried Rice
⏱ 25 min
🍽 Serves 4
≈ $8.20 ($2.05/serving)
average
Why this fits a family on a budget
Chicken fried rice is the weeknight hero every American family has relied on for decades — fast, filling, and a guaranteed way to use up leftover rice with ingredients already in the fridge. Kids love the savory flavor and familiar texture, and parents love that it's on the table in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
• 3 cups cooked white rice (day-old preferred)
• 0.75 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
• 2 whole large eggs
• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 3 stalks green onions
Instructions
1. Cut chicken breast into small bite-sized pieces, about 1/2 inch. Season lightly with garlic powder and black pepper.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 1 minute. Add chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5–6 minutes until no longer pink inside and lightly golden. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
3. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the same pan. Add the frozen peas and carrots and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until thawed and heated through. Push the vegetables to one side of the pan, crack the eggs into the empty space, and scramble them with a spatula for 1–2 minutes until just set. Break into small pieces and mix into the vegetables.
4. Add the day-old rice to the pan, breaking up any clumps with the spatula. Stir-fry everything together over medium-high heat for 3–4 minutes, pressing the rice against the hot surface occasionally so it gets a little toasted and dry.
5. Return the cooked chicken to the pan. Drizzle the soy sauce and sesame oil evenly over the rice. Toss and stir-fry for 1–2 more minutes until everything is evenly coated and fragrant. Taste and add a small splash more soy sauce if needed.
6. Remove from heat, stir in sliced green onions, and serve immediately straight from the pan.
Contains: egg, soy, wheat. Always double-check labels for your household's allergies.
Cost is a national-average estimate and varies by store and region.
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This recipe was generated by Plento Pasto's AI from a library of family-friendly dishes and reviewed for a real photo before publishing. Cooking times, costs, and nutrition are estimates — use your judgment in the kitchen.
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