The Ultimate Garlic Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

Have you ever glanced in the fridge, hoping to magically transform a few everyday items into a truly special meal? Perhaps you’re longing for the delicious, flavourful dishes from your local takeaway, but fancy a version that’s healthier and more budget-friendly. If so, we have just the solution for you. It’s time to set aside that takeaway menu and discover the pure delight of a home-cooked favourite that’s ready in under 30 minutes. We are delighted to guide you in crafting the most aromatic, savoury, and utterly delectable Garlic Chicken Fried Rice imaginable.

This is far more than a standard fried rice recipe; it’s a homage to vibrant flavours, straightforward cooking, and the art of turning leftover rice into a culinary triumph. Say goodbye to sticky, bland, or lacklustre fried rice. Our method guarantees that every grain is beautifully coated in a savoury sauce, each piece of chicken is perfectly tender, and the scent of fresh garlic wafts through your home. It’s an ideal weeknight meal and a dish that everyone is sure to love.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Better Than a Takeaway: We’ll guide you in recreating that authentic, restaurant-level taste right in your own kitchen. It’s fresher, more wholesome, and you get to decide exactly what goes in it.
Incredibly Quick and Easy: This Easy chicken fried rice is ready from start to finish in less than 30 minutes, which makes it the perfect choice for hectic weeknights when a tasty dinner is needed in a hurry.
Perfect for Using Leftovers: Our recipe is specially formulated to use leftover, day-old rice. It’s a brilliant strategy for minimising food waste and elevating yesterday’s meal into something new and exciting.
Packed with Flavour: As you might guess from the name, garlic is the hero of this dish. We use a generous portion to build a deeply fragrant and savoury foundation that permeates every single mouthful.
Completely Customisable: While we adore this recipe just as it is, it also serves as a fantastic base for your own culinary experiments. Feel free to switch out the protein or toss in any vegetables you have on hand.

Essential Ingredients for Your Fried Rice

The true charm of a Homemade chicken fried rice is found in its simplicity. There’s no need for an extensive shopping list of hard-to-find ingredients; a handful of excellent staples is all it takes. Before we begin, let’s organise our “mise en place” by prepping all our components. A Quick chicken stir-fry happens very fast, so having everything ready is crucial!

For the Chicken and Marinade:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 300g), cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
1 teaspoon cornflour
A pinch of white pepper

For the Fried Rice:

3 tablespoons vegetable oil or other neutral oil, divided
6-8 cloves of garlic, finely minced
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 large free-range eggs, lightly beaten
600g cold, cooked jasmine or long-grain rice (day-old is best)
100g frozen peas
2 spring onions, thinly sliced (whites and greens separated)

For the Savoury Sauce:

2 tablespoons light soy sauce
1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance flavours)

How to Make the Perfect Garlic Chicken Fried Rice

With all our ingredients prepped and within reach, we can move on to the exciting part. Just follow these straightforward steps, and you’ll be plating up a magnificent dish of fried rice before you know it. The secret is to work swiftly over a high flame.

Marinate the Chicken: In a medium-sized bowl, toss the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of light soy sauce, the cornflour, and a pinch of white pepper. Stir until the chicken is evenly coated, then let it rest for at least 10 minutes. This quick step ensures the chicken becomes exceptionally tender and flavourful.
Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together all the sauce components: the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, and the optional sugar. Place this mixture close to your cooking area for easy access.
Cook the Chicken: Place a large wok or a sturdy frying pan over high heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil. When the oil begins to shimmer, carefully add the marinated chicken. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, or until it’s beautifully golden and cooked all the way through. Transfer the cooked chicken from the wok to a plate and set it aside.
Sauté the Aromatics: Add another tablespoon of oil to the hot wok. Tip in the chopped onion and the white sections of the spring onions. Stir-fry for about a minute until they begin to soften. Now, it’s time for our star ingredient – the minced garlic. Cook for approximately 30 seconds until its wonderful aroma is released. Be vigilant to prevent it from burning, which would create a bitter taste.
Scramble the Eggs: Nudge the cooked aromatics over to one side of the wok. Pour the beaten eggs into the cleared half. Allow them to set for 20-30 seconds before gently scrambling with your spatula until they are just cooked. Break the scrambled egg into smaller pieces.
Combine the Rice and Veggies: Tip the cold, cooked rice into the wok. With your spatula, press and break apart any clumps, making sure the grains are loose and separate. This is the most vital technique for achieving brilliant fried rice! Once the rice is separated and warmed through, return the cooked chicken to the wok along with the frozen peas. Stir everything together. If you’re a fan of Asian-inspired meals, you may also like our recipe for Black Pepper Chicken.
Sauce and Serve: Drizzle your prepared sauce mixture evenly over the rice. Continue to stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes, ensuring that every grain is cloaked in the savoury sauce. Finally, scatter in the green parts of the spring onions. Give it one last toss, then take it off the heat. Serve your garlic chicken fried rice immediately while it’s piping hot.

Our Top Tips for Restaurant-Quality Results

We have crafted this recipe countless times, and through trial and error, we’ve discovered a few secrets that transform it from simply good to truly exceptional. Bear these pointers in mind to create the finest Asian chicken rice on every occasion.

Use Cold, Day-Old Rice: This is the cardinal rule for making excellent fried rice. Freshly cooked rice contains too much moisture, which can lead to a soggy texture. Chilling rice overnight helps the grains to firm up and dry slightly, allowing them to separate perfectly in the heat of the wok.
High Heat is Essential: To achieve the coveted “wok hei” – that distinct, smoky essence found in restaurant stir-fries – you must use high heat. Don’t hesitate to turn your hob up to its highest setting. This method cooks everything rapidly, searing the ingredients rather than steaming them. To delve deeper into this technique, The Woks of Life provides a fantastic explanation of what ‘wok hei’ is.
Don’t Crowd the Wok: If you plan to make a larger quantity, we recommend cooking in two separate batches. Overfilling the pan causes the temperature to drop, which results in the ingredients steaming instead of frying.
Prep Everything First: This meal is assembled in a matter of minutes. Ensure all your vegetables are chopped, your sauce is mixed, and your chicken is marinating before you even switch on the heat. There simply won’t be a moment to spare for chopping garlic while your eggs are cooking!

Easy Customisations and Variations

One of the greatest attributes of this recipe is its adaptability. Consider it a blueprint for a superb meal. Here are some suggestions to spark your imagination:

Protein Swaps

Don’t fancy chicken today? Not a problem! This dish is just as delicious with king prawns, diced pork, or thinly sliced beef. For a vegetarian alternative, firm tofu or a combination of edamame beans and mushrooms works wonderfully.

Add More Veggies

This is the perfect chance to use up any vegetables in your fridge. Finely chopped carrots, sweetcorn, diced bell peppers, small broccoli florets, or baby corn are all excellent additions. Just remember to add harder vegetables at the same time as the onion so they have ample time to cook through. For a similar dish with a different flavour, you could try our Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls.

Spice It Up

For those who enjoy a bit of warmth, a teaspoon of chilli flakes or a dash of sriracha mixed into the sauce will do the trick. A finely chopped red chilli, added along with the garlic, also introduces a pleasant kick.

FAQ

Q: Is it possible to use brown rice for this recipe?

A: Yes, certainly! Brown rice works beautifully, offering a chewier texture and a nuttier taste. As with white rice, the key is to ensure it is cooked and thoroughly cooled (preferably overnight) before you begin stir-frying.

Q: My rice always clumps together. What am I doing wrong?

A: This common issue is typically due to using rice that’s too fresh and warm. The most effective solution is to use cold, day-old rice. If you only have freshly cooked rice, you can spread it on a baking sheet and place it in the freezer for 15-20 minutes. This will rapidly cool and dry it out.

Q: What is the difference between light and dark soy sauce?

A: Light soy sauce is thinner in consistency and primarily used for its salty flavour. Dark soy sauce is thicker, less salty, and has a hint of sweetness; it’s mainly used to give dishes a rich, appealing colour. Our recipe uses both to achieve the ideal balance of taste and appearance.

Q: How should I store and reheat any leftovers?

A: You can store leftover garlic chicken fried rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat, either microwave it until hot or, for the best texture, stir-fry it in a hot pan with a tiny drop of oil or water until it’s heated through.

Conclusion: Your New Favourite Weeknight Meal

And there we have it – a straightforward, flavour-filled recipe for Garlic Chicken Fried Rice that we’re certain will become a staple in your meal rotation. It’s a testament to the fact that you don’t require complex methods or a lengthy ingredient list to produce a dinner that is both comforting and wonderfully satisfying. It’s the ideal dish to gather the family around for a quick, wholesome, and delicious meal.

So, the next time the thought of ordering a takeaway crosses your mind, we encourage you to give this recipe a go. We are confident that you will be delighted with the results. Fire up your wok, listen for that satisfying sizzle, and prepare to savour the best fried rice you’ve ever created. We’d love to hear how you got on, so please do leave a comment below to share your experience or any personal touches you added!