Chicken Fried Rice For One

Who says a delightful serving of Chicken Fried Rice isn’t just as enjoyable when made in a smaller portion? This single serving recipe brings the classic flavors and satisfaction of the traditional dish, perfectly sized for an individual meal. Whether you’re cooking for convenience or craving something special, this recipe ensures a delicious and fulfilling experience.

this Recipe

Seeking more single serving fried rice options? Don’t miss our Classic Fried Rice and Shrimp Fried Rice, each bursting with unique flavors and tailored for individual servings.

Ingredients

If you have any ingredients leftover from this small batch chicken fried rice recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.

• Shredded Cooked Chicken: This is the key component for your fried rice. If you have leftover or rotisserie chicken, that’s perfect. If starting from scratch, you’ve got two quick methods:
  • Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place a boneless, skinless chicken breast in a baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and any other spices you like. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
  • Skillet Method: Cut a chicken breast into 1-inch strips and season with your choice of seasonings. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet and add the chicken to the pan. Cook the chicken strips for about 6 minutes, turning them halfway through the cooking time.

Note: If you’ve got any leftover chicken, consider using it in Chicken Spaghetti, Chicken Enchiladas Verde, or Chicken Chili.

• Butter: Adds a rich, creamy flavor to the fried rice. Can be substituted with avocado or olive oil. Each will impart its own unique flavor to the dish.
• Onion: If you don’t have onions, you can use shallots or scallions for a milder flavor.
• Garlic: Provides a fragrant, savory taste. You can use about 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder instead of fresh.
• Cooked Rice: Cooked rice should be cold or at least at room temperature. Using day-old rice works best because it’s less likely to become mushy during frying. You can use any type of cooked rice, such as white rice, brown rice, or jasmine rice. If you’ve got a little extra cooked rice leftover, consider using it to make a single serving Rice Pudding.
• Egg: One large egg adds richness and texture to the fried rice, creating delicious egg ribbons. If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, you can omit the egg entirely.
• Vegetables: Fresh or frozen peas, carrots, and corn add color, texture, and nutrients to the dish. Feel free to substitute your favorite vegetables or whatever you have on hand.
• Soy Sauce: Provides saltiness and a savory umami flavor.
• Green Onion: For garnish.
• Oyster Sauce: Adds depth and a slightly sweet flavor to the dish (optional). Consider also using oyster sauce in our single serving Lo Mein recipe.
• Sesame Oil: Although this ingredient is optional, I highly recommend using it. To achieve authentic flavor, sesame oil is essential! Its unique nutty aroma plays a crucial role in harmonizing the flavors in this dish.

This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why I used them. For the full recipe please scroll down to the recipe box at the bottom of the post.

How To Make Chicken Fried Rice For One

These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make chicken fried rice. See the recipe below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

1. Start by cracking an egg into a small bowl and beating it thoroughly.
2. In a 10-inch skillet over medium heat, melt the butter until it’s fully melted and bubbling.
3. Add the chopped onions, peas, carrots, and corn to the pan. Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, for about 2 minutes.

4. Next, add the minced garlic to the pan. Continue stirring occasionally for an additional 1 minute.

5. Now, introduce the cooked shredded chicken and the cooked rice into the pan. Stir everything together for approximately 30 seconds or until both the chicken and rice are heated through.

Dietary Tip: To make your fried rice gluten-free, choose tamari instead of regular soy sauce and carefully check your ingredient labels to avoid gluten or wheat-based components.

6. Create a space on one side of the pan by pushing the rice, chicken, and vegetables to the other side.

7. Pour the beaten egg into the cleared space on the pan. Allow it to cook until it starts to scramble.

8. Once the egg is nearly fully cooked but still slightly runny, gently mix it in with the rice, vegetables, and chicken to combine all the ingredients.

9. At this point, you can stir in the soy sauce and oyster sauce for added flavor. If desired, drizzle a bit of sesame oil over the dish for additional flavor (optional).

10. Finally, garnish your chicken fried rice with chopped green onions to add a fresh and flavorful touch.

Note: Oyster Sauce, with its rich and savory flavor, is key to achieving that authentic restaurant-style fried rice. It’s a thick, umami-rich sauce that surprisingly doesn’t taste like oysters. You can find it in most major grocery stores’ Asian/international aisles, or use it as an opportunity to explore and support local Asian-owned grocery stores.

Expert Tips

• Use Cold Cooked Rice: For the best results, use day-old cooked rice that has been chilled in the refrigerator. Cold rice tends to fry up better and is less likely to become mushy during cooking.
• Prep Ingredients in Advance: Prepare all your ingredients, including chopping vegetables, beating the egg, and having the sauces ready before you start cooking. This ensures a smooth and efficient cooking process.
• Cooking Sequence: Cook ingredients in stages, starting with the vegetables that take longer to cook, followed by the shredded chicken, and then the rice and egg. This helps maintain the individual textures and flavors of each component.
• Scramble Egg Separately: This ensures that the egg has the perfect texture and doesn’t get overcooked. Just push the vegetables to one side of the pan and pour the egg in the other side.
• Experiment with Seasonings: Don’t be afraid to experiment with seasonings like ginger, chili garlic sauce, or rice vinegar to customize the flavor to your liking.