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The Recipe · No.942 · Chicken Fried Rice

Chicken Fried Rice, and where to source it

Chicken Fried Rice — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Chicken Fried Rice Chinese 5best2buy.com

Cook in batches and never crowd the wok. Pile everything in at once and it drops the heat, releases water and steams — you want each addition to sear and stay dry, which is what gives fried rice its wok-hei.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep15 min
Cook10 min
Makesserves 4
CuisineChinese
Cost$$
Dairy-free
Contains  eggs · gluten · soy · sesame
Make it gluten-free: swap in tamari instead of soy sauce (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 4 servings
Day-old rice
Cold long-grain rice, dried out overnight so it fries loose.
4 cups
Local / market
Chicken thigh
Diced small; thigh stays juicy through high-heat frying.
12 oz
Source it →
Eggs
Scrambled separately so the curds stay tender.
3
Source it →
Scallions
Whites cooked in, greens tossed at the end.
4
Source it →
Soy sauce
Light soy for seasoning; keep it restrained so the rice doesn't go soggy or dark.
2 tbsp
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Frozen peas and carrots
The classic mix; add near the end so they stay bright.
1 cup
Carrots →
Toasted sesame oil
A few drops off the heat for aroma, not for frying.
1 tsp
Source it →

Using chicken thigh? It behaves the way it does for a reason — what this cut is for and how to cook it →

The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● Barely a splurge
A light hand — your arteries say thanks.
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Stovetop
The Method
  1. Sear the chickenStir-fry the diced chicken in a hot wok until cooked, then remove.
  2. Scramble the eggsAdd a little oil and scramble the eggs, breaking into curds.
  3. Fry the riceAdd the cold rice and scallion whites, tossing until hot and loose.
  4. SeasonReturn the chicken, add peas and carrots and soy, stir-frying to combine.
  5. FinishOff the heat, toss in scallion greens and a few drops of sesame oil.
The Toolkit

Carbon steel wok · Wok spatula · Rice cooker

Straight Answers
Can you make Chicken Fried Rice in an air fryer? — Not really

Not really — loose batter spreads and needs a flat, hot surface. Keep this one on the stovetop or griddle.

Can you freeze Chicken Fried Rice? — Not ideal

You can, but the crisp coating softens. Freeze the cooked pieces, then re-crisp them in a hot oven or air fryer — never the microwave.

Can you make Chicken Fried Rice ahead of time? — Prep ahead

Best fried to order — the crunch fades if it sits. Do the breading or shaping ahead and cook it fresh when you serve.

Is Chicken Fried Rice gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in tamari instead of soy sauce (check the other labels too).

Is Chicken Fried Rice vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

Community Notes

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© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.942

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