Easy Chicken Fried Rice with a Flavourful Twist

If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and absolutely delicious fried rice recipe, you’re in the right place! This chicken fried rice with shredded chicken is packed with veggies, protein, and bold flavours, making it a satisfying meal for any day of the week.

But the real game-changer in this recipe? Cabbage. If you’ve never added cabbage to your fried rice before, you’re seriously missing out! It brings a subtle sweetness and texture that takes this dish to another level.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ Packed with Flavour – The combination of onions, garlic, ginger, and a blend of seasonings gives this dish amazing depth.
✔ Loaded with Veggies – More vegetables than rice? Yes, please! This dish is nutrient-dense without compromising taste.
✔ Perfect for Leftover Rice – Repurpose the rice you already have made.
✔ Balanced & Lighter – Unlike traditional fried rice, this version uses just enough oil to bring everything together without being greasy.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Vegetables: Cabbage, shredded carrots, yellow onion (or red onion if you prefer), and green onions for garnish.
• Aromatics & Seasonings: Garlic, ginger, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, thyme, oregano, allspice, paprika, and salt.
• Protein: Two eggs for that classic fried rice texture and shredded chicken for a hearty addition.
• Rice: You can use fresh rice or leftover rice from a previous meal.
• Sauce: A combination of sesame oil, soy sauce (light or dark), and mirin to bring everything together with a rich umami taste.

How to Make Chicken Fried Rice

1. Sauté the Aromatics

Start by heating a little oil in a pan—just enough to sauté everything without making it too greasy. Traditional fried rice uses more oil, but we’re keeping it balanced! Add in the onions and garlic and let them cook until fragrant. Then, toss in some ginger for extra depth of flavour.

2. Cook the Veggies

Next, add the chopped cabbage, shredded carrots, and onions. There are actually more veggies than rice in this dish, but don’t worry—they’ll cook down beautifully and blend right in.

3. Add the Seasonings

Now it’s time to build even more flavour! Sprinkle in garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, thyme, oregano, allspice, paprika, and salt. You can also add a chicken bouillon cube for extra richness, but keep in mind that it increases the sodium content, so adjust accordingly.

4. Scramble the Eggs

Push the veggies to the side and crack in two eggs. Let them cook for a bit before mixing them into the dish—this way, you get visible egg pieces for that signature fried rice texture.

5. Mix in the Shredded Chicken

Now, add your shredded chicken and mix it in well. If you’d like a tutorial on how to make shredded chicken easily, let me know in the comments! It’s a great meal prep staple.

6. Add the Rice & Sauce

Time to bring everything together! Use day-old rice for the best texture—it absorbs the flavours without getting mushy. Mix in a sauce made of sesame oil, soy sauce (light or dark), and mirin. Dark soy sauce gives it a deeper colour and richer taste, but it’s higher in sodium, so adjust it to your preference.

7. Final Touches

Once everything is mixed and cooked through, top it off with green onions for a pop of colour and freshness.

Fried Rice with Shredded Chicken

This easy and flavorful chicken fried rice is a go-to for busy days! Made with perfectly seasoned rice, tender shredded chicken, and crisp veggies, it’s a quick and satisfying dish that brings comfort and bold flavours to the table. Whether you’re using leftover chicken or cooking fresh, this recipe is a delicious way to enjoy a takeout favourite at home—minus the extra oil and additives!

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup cabbage finely chopped
• 1 small carrot shredded
• ½ yellow onion thinly sliced (or red onion)
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tsp ginger grated
• 2 green onions chopped (for garnish)
• 2 eggs beaten
• 1 cup shredded chicken or protein of choice
• 2 cups cooked rice day-old preferred
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce or low-sodium
• ½ tbsp dark soy sauce adds color and depth
• 1 tsp mirin adds sweetness
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp thyme
• ½ tsp oregano
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp salt adjust as needed
• Optional ½ chicken bouillon cube

Instructions

 

• Heat a pan over medium heat and add a little oil. Sauté the onions and garlic until fragrant, then add the grated ginger.
• Add the shredded cabbage and carrots. Let them cook down until softened.
• Stir in all the seasonings and mix well.
• Push the veggies to one side of the pan and scramble the eggs on the other side. Once cooked, mix everything together.
• Add the shredded chicken and mix well.
• Add the day-old rice and break it apart while stirring.
• In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, mirin, and sesame oil, then pour over the rice. Stir everything together until evenly coated.
• Cook for another 2-3 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.
• Garnish with green onions and serve hot!

Video

Enjoy Your Homemade Fried Rice!

And that’s it! A perfectly balanced, veggie-packed, and flavorful chicken fried rice that’s easy to make at home. Whether you’re using up leftover rice or making it fresh, this dish is sure to become a favourite.

Let me know in the comments—have you ever tried adding cabbage to your fried rice? And if you want a shredded chicken tutorial, just say the word!