How to Cook Chicken Fried Rice

MERRY CHRISTMAS MY LOVES! How many people have been waiting for Christmas as I have been? I know its not the same as it used to be when we were growing up, but, am still that excited! This year has been an amazing year, I decided to start my YOUTUBE channel and so far I'm loving the response I have been getting from you guys. So far I have 1,550 subscribers and looking foward to what 2020 will bring! Another channel milestone is that I got my first 10,000 views on one of my recipe, the fried pork recipe, people seem to love it that much. As I write, its so far ganered over 13,000 views! Okay, enough about my channel, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE if you have not! For real now, about Christmas🎄🎄 My memories of Christmas will always be, wearing new clothes, going to church, drinking Fanta and mandazi after church, then going home to eat Chapati. We only ate Chapati once a year, that was during Christmas, so you can only imagine how exciting it was! Nowadays, all grown up, I think I will uphold some traditions 😉. So MERRY CHRISTMAS in advance!!

INGREDIENTS

3 Cups Left Over Rice
1 Cup Left Over Cooked Chicken
1/2 Red Bell Pepper
1/2 Green Bell Pepper
1/2 Yellow Bell Pepper
1 Teaspoon Ground Cloves
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1 Tablespoon Ginger Garlic Paste
1 Onion
1 Teaspoon Chili Flakes
1 Teaspoon Black Pepper
1/4 Cup Dark Soy Sauce

METHOD

Add chopped onions to pan

Fry onions until lightly brown

Add chopped cooked left over chicken

Fry 2 minutes to lightly brown

Add black pepper

Add ground cloves

Add salt to taste

Add ginger garlic paste

Fry 2 minutes until ginger garlic paste cooked a little

Add the chopped colored bell peppers

Fry the peppers 1 minute

Add cooked rice

Start mixing all the ingredients

Add chili flakes

Dark soy sauce

Sprinkle the soy sauce generously onto the fried rice

Mix until rice is well combined

Stir fry 3 minutes to warm through the rice

Serve

How delicious is that chicken fried rice?

CHICKEN FRIED RICE

Recipe by Mulunga Alukwe

Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 15 Minutes
Total time: 25 Minutes
Yield: 4 Bowls
Ingredients

• 3 Cups Left Over Rice
• 1 Cup Left Over Cooked Chicken
• 1/2 Red, Yellow and Green Bell Pepper
• 1 Teaspoon Ground Cloves
• 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
• 1 Tablespoon Ginger Garlic Paste
• 1 Onion
• 1 Teaspoon Chili Flakes
• 1 Teaspoon Black Pepper
• 3 Tablespoons Dark Soy Sauce

Cooking Directions

1. Add chopped onions to pan. Fry onions until lightly brown
2. Add chopped cooked left over chicken. Fry 2 minutes to lightly brown. Add black pepper. Add ground cloves. Add salt to taste. Add ginger garlic paste. Fry 2 minutes until ginger garlic paste cooked a little
3. Add the chopped colored bell peppers. Fry the peppers 1 minute.
4. Add cooked rice. Start mixing all the ingredients. Add chili flakes. Add Dark soy sauce, sprinkle the soy sauce generously onto the fried rice. Mix until rice is well combined
5. Stir fry 3 minutes to warm through the rice
6. Serve. How delicious is that chicken fried rice?

Fragrant, savory, and irresistibly satisfying, Chicken Fried Rice is a beloved comfort dish that’s both delicious and customizable. Whether you’re making it from leftover rice or whipping it up as a one-pan meal, this dish checks all the boxes: protein, carbs, veggies, and flavor!

FAQs About Chicken Fried Rice

What kind of rice works best for fried rice?

Day-old, cold, long-grain rice (like basmati or jasmine) is ideal because it’s drier and holds up better in the pan. Freshly cooked rice tends to clump and become mushy unless you let it cool completely and dry out a bit.

Can I use other proteins instead of chicken?

Absolutely! Fried rice is flexible. You can swap chicken for shrimp, beef, tofu, or eggs. You could also go vegetarian by doubling the veggies and omitting the meat altogether.

How do I get that “restaurant-style” flavor?

The trick is high heat, a hot wok or skillet, and the right balance of soy sauce, sesame oil, and a touch of sugar. Cooking each component (chicken, veggies, rice) separately before combining can also enhance texture and flavor.

Is chicken fried rice healthy?

It can be! Use lean chicken breast, moderate oil, and pack it with colorful vegetables like carrots, peas, bell peppers, or broccoli. Opt for low-sodium soy sauce and limit added oil or sugar to keep it balanced.

Can I meal prep chicken fried rice?

Yes—fried rice stores beautifully. It can be refrigerated for up to 4 days and frozen for up to a month. Reheat it in a hot skillet with a splash of water or broth to keep it from drying out.

Printable Nutrition Card (Per 1 serving – approx. 1½ cups)

Nutrient	Amount	Notes
Calories	~360 kcal	Varies based on oil and portion of chicken.
Protein	~20 g	From chicken and egg (if included).
Total Fat	~12 g	Mostly from cooking oil and egg.
– Saturated Fat	~2.5 g	Use vegetable or sesame oil to control this.
Carbohydrates	~38 g	Primarily from rice and added vegetables.
Fiber	~2–3 g	Can increase with more veggies.
Sugars	~3 g	Comes from onions, peas, carrots, and sauces.
Sodium	~600–800 mg	Highly dependent on soy sauce; use low-sodium versions if needed.
Cholesterol	~70 mg	Mainly from eggs and chicken.
Vitamin A & C	Moderate	Carrots, peas, and bell peppers boost these nutrients.

Nutrition Notes:

• Using brown rice adds more fiber.
• Cook with minimal oil or use non-stick pans to lower fat content.
• Adding extra vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or broccoli increases micronutrient density.

Dietary Information

Diet Type	Status	Notes
Gluten-Free	❌ No	Contains soy sauce (which has wheat); use gluten-free tamari instead.
Dairy-Free	✅ Yes	Traditional versions are dairy-free.
Nut-Free	✅ Yes	Ensure no cross-contamination in sauces/oils.
Egg-Free	❌ No	Often includes scrambled egg; omit if necessary.
Low-Carb/Keto	❌ No	High in carbs from rice.
Paleo	❌ No	Rice is not paleo-approved.
Whole30	❌ No	Needs significant substitutions (cauliflower rice, compliant sauces).
Diabetic-Friendly	⚠️ Moderate	Use brown rice and control portion size.
High-Protein	✅ Yes	Especially if made with extra chicken or egg.

Please note that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes used. For precise nutritional information, consider using a nutrition calculator with exact ingredient measurements.

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