Here are the ingredients for a fast, fantastic, and food-safe Easy Leftover Chicken Fried Rice. This is less of a strict recipe and more of a roadmap to using what you’ve got.
🍚 Ingredients: Easy Leftover Chicken Fried Rice
This list is all about fresh ingredients and traditional flavors that you likely already have. The real stars here are the cold, day-old rice and, of course, your leftover chicken—they are the keys to authentic texture and no-waste cooking.
The Fried Rice Essentials
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil: (e.g., canola, vegetable, or peanut oil) High smoke point is key. Avoid olive oil here.
- 2 large eggs: Lightly beaten. For that classic, fluffy egg ribbon.
- 1 medium yellow onion: Finely chopped (about 1 cup).
- 2 cloves garlic: Minced. Use fresh for the best punch; pre-minced in a jar works in a pinch.
- 1-inch piece of ginger (optional): Freshly grated or minced. Adds a wonderful, warm zing.
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots: No need to thaw! They cook right from frozen.
- 1 cup diced cooked chicken: (About 150g) This is our key ingredient! Any leftover roasted, baked, or rotisserie chicken works perfectly.
- 3 cups cold, cooked rice: (About 500g) This is the most important trick! Day-old, refrigerated rice is essential. Fresh, warm rice will clump and turn to mush.
The Signature Sauce (Mix this in a small bowl first)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce: (Use low-sodium if you’re watching your salt). This is the backbone of the flavor.
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil: A little goes a long way! This adds that authentic, nutty aroma right at the end.
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (optional): Helps to balance the saltiness of the soy sauce.
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper: The traditional choice for its unique, earthy heat. Black pepper is a fine substitute.
For Garnish (The Finishing Touches)
- 2 green onions (scallions): Thinly sliced. They add a bright, fresh crunch.
- Sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional): For those who like a bit of heat.
Why These Ingredients Work
These easy cooking ingredients are specifically chosen to deliver maximum results with minimum fuss. Using fresh ingredients like garlic and ginger alongside pantry staples like soy and sesame oil builds deep, traditional flavors quickly. This authentic leftover chicken recipe doesn’t just use up leftovers; it transforms them into a delicious, balanced, and satisfying meal that’s better (and faster) than takeout.
