Easy 30-Minute Chicken Fried Rice – The BEST Healthy Weeknight Dinner!
Chicken fried rice is one of my favorite go-to’s when it comes to busy weeknight dinners. It’s easy to make, the kids love it, and we can keep eating the leftovers for days! But what makes this recipe extra special is that it’s a healthier take on chicken fried rice, it can be made entirely in a single large non-stick pan, and it can be made in just 25-30 minutes.
You can adjust the veggies, use oil and soy sauce (tamari, coconut aminos) of your choice, and make a double batch to freeze some for later. There are so many ways to adjust this recipe and truly make it work for you and your family!
RELATED: 100+ Quick Healthy Dinner Ideas (30 Minutes Or Less)
Ingredients/Substitutions
- Toasted Sesame Oil
- Cooking Oil (vegetable oil, refined avocado oil, etc.)
- Chicken Breast (cut into bite-sized pieces) – cubed boneless skinless chicken thighs work great, too!
- Green Onion
- Minced Garlic
- Broccoli
- Red Bell Pepper
- Frozen Peas, Carrots, & Corn
- Eggs
- Cooked Brown Rice – day-old rice or microwave rice are both great options.
- Brown Sugar
- Tamari or Coconut Aminos (or low-sodium soy sauce)
- Freshly Grated Ginger
How To Make Chicken Fried Rice
Here’s how to make a healthier chicken fried rice in just 30 minutes. It’s so delicious!
- Lightly fry the cubed chicken in sesame oil, cooking oil, and salt/pepper to taste in a non-stick pan or cast-iron skillet. Set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables in oil until fork-tender.
- Push the veggies to the side of the pan and scramble the eggs in the center.
- Add in cooked rice, the cooked chicken, brown sugar, soy sauce/tamari, and ginger, then sauté for a couple of minutes to let the flavors blend.
- Add more salt/pepper to taste, then top with red pepper flakes and extra green onions!
You’ll Also Love: Healthy Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Healthy Chicken Fried Rice Variations
Making This Ahead of Time
This quick chicken fried rice recipe can be made ahead of time or meal prepped. Simply cook the recipe according to directions and store the dish for later. It’s that easy!
Refrigerating/Freezing Leftovers
Have leftovers? Refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days. To freeze, let cool in the fridge for 1 hour, then move to the freezer and store for up to 3 months! When ready to enjoy, add about 1/2-1 Tablespoon of water, broth, or tamari and microwave for a few minutes until warm (stirring often).
More Easy, Healthy 30-Minute Meals for the Family
- Mahi-Mahi Fish Taco Bowls
- Weeknight Chicken Pad Thai
- Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta
- Hot Honey Salmon Bowls
- Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole
Did you make this Easy Chicken Fried Rice recipe? Rate it below and follow along on Instagram for more healthy dinner ideas!
30-Minute Chicken Fried Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 teaspoons toasted sesame oil (divided)
- 2 Tablespoons cooking oil (vegetable, refined avocado, etc.)
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast (cut into cubes)
- 1/3 cup green onion, diced (plus extra for topping)
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 cups broccoli (finely chopped)
- 1 medium red bell pepper (diced)
- 2 cups frozen peas, carrots, & corn (total, not each)
- 3 large eggs (lightly beaten)
- 3 cups cooked brown rice
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 4 Tablespoons tamari or coconut aminos (or low-sodium soy sauce, divided)
- 1 Tablespoon freshly grated ginger
Instructions
- Add 2 teaspoons of the toasted sesame oil and 2 tablespoons of the plain oil to a large pan over medium heat.
- Once hot, add in the chicken pieces with a pinch of salt and pepper and sauté until completely cooked through, about 6 minutes.
- Set the chicken on a plate to the side.
- Add in the remaining sesame oil.
- Sauté the chopped green onion, garlic, broccoli, bell pepper and frozen veggies for about 5 minutes or until the broccoli is fork tender.
- Push the veggies to the side and add in the beaten eggs and scramble.
- Add back in the chicken, rice, brown sugar, soy sauce/tamari, and ginger, then sauté for a couple of minutes to let the flavors blend.
- Taste and adjust flavors as desired, adding more salt as desired or red pepper flakes for spice.
- Garnish with extra diced green onion and enjoy!
Elizabeth says:
Loved this! Made exactly as written. Will definitely be making this again!
Lisa Davis says:
Sounds delicious, looking forward to making this week! Have you ever tried it with ground chicken? That’s what I currently have on hand and was wondering.
Thomas says:
Love the recipe and definitely going to give it a shot, but had one question: you say to use the first half of the oil for the chicken to brown it, but I’m not sure which step the second half of the oil gets factored in. Any help here would be appreciated, and really enjoy all your recipes in general!
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks, Thomas! Oops, so sorry for leaving that out. The remaining oil would be used to cook the eggs in the next step! I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Rachel says:
This is sooooo yummy!
I added some edamame (cooked it in the micro and then shelled and put it in the pan at the end) and just a little bit of sesame oil.
Thank you so much for these recipes. They are easy, healthy, yummy, and delicious!
Christine McMichael replied:
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Rachel! YUM. Edamame sounds amazing with this dish!
Swathi says:
Looks delicious love this chicken fried rice. best part is the it requires only 30 minutes to makes. I need this kind of dish as school is going to reopen soon.
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks, Swathi! Enjoy!
Molly Kumar says:
This looks so delicious and I love 30 minutes recipes – they are such a savior on weeknights!! We do have a couple of minute rice packets at home and I’ll give this recipe a try soon.
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks, Molly! Enjoy!
Adriana Lopez Martn says:
Super lovely meal, comfy and delicious. Nothing like having an easy recipe that everyone will enjoy I must do this tomorrow.
Christine McMichael replied:
Thank you, Adriana! 🙂
Whitney @WhittyPaleo says:
Oh I absolutely love quick chicken recipes like this! Especially when it’s as delicious as chicken fried rice! Thanks for the recipe!
Christine McMichael replied:
Me too! It’s so easy to make!
karyn says:
This is perfect for a mid-week dinner. We love fried rice in our house. It’s the one meal that no one complains about eating.. Your Chicken and Fried Rice would go down well with my kids and best of all only 30mins to make
Christine McMichael replied:
So perfect! Enjoy!
Veena Azmanov says:
Wow.. Ready to serve in one minute – that is cool. I must look for that next timer at the super. The chicken looks so good. Love the color.
Christine McMichael replied:
For sure! It’s so good!
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says:
We love Asian dishes, and I love chicken fried rice! Oh, I haven’t seen the family sized bowls of rice like that. I have to find it. We use a lot of rice, and I buy the pouches from another brand right now, but I do love Minute rice!
Christine McMichael replied:
We do too, Joanna! 🙂
Kylee from Kylee Cooks says:
Oooh, what a great weeknight dinner! I love a good shortcut or two, and this looks perfect for the whole family.
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks, Kylee! Enjoy the recipe!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says:
No need for takeout when you can make this at home, and just as quick (or faster) than delivery. Great for busy weeknights, or on a weekend when you just want a break in the kitchen. Leftovers would be great too.
Christine McMichael replied:
Definitely! Enjoy!
Karyl | Karyl's Kulinary Krusade says:
I learned how to make fried rice about a year ago, and absolutely love making it at home. Never thought about using minute rice to do it. What a great tip
Christine McMichael replied:
Love fried rice! So delicious!
Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs says:
I had always presumed that microwave rice was packed.full of nasties but only recently discovered its actually just rice! Whodve thought! This looks like a fantastic shortcut to a tasty meal!
Christine McMichael replied:
Haha I know, I always kind of felt the same until I actually read the ingredients. Life changing! 🙂