Air Fryer Chicken Fried Rice

Name: Air Fryer Chicken Fried Rice
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 3 eggs; 2 cups cooked chilled white rice ((500g)); 1½ cups cooked chicken ((210g or one large chicken breast)); 1 cup frozen peas and carrots ((140g)); 3 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ¼ cup oil ((4 tablespoons))

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Cook up a delicious Chinese inspired dinner in less than 20 minutes! This air fryer chicken fried rice is one tasty family friendly dinner that's made with pantry staples. With flavors of soy sauce and ginger, it's as good as any takeout!

Chicken fried rice served on a white plate with a fork.

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Chicken fried rice is a Chinese takeout favorite, and this air fryer recipe ticks all of the right boxes!

Made with a handful of basic ingredients, this is one delicious dish that comes together in minutes. Made with pre-cooked chicken, frozen vegetables, scrambled eggs and leftover rice, this fried rice recipe is perfectly seasoned. You can throw this recipe together in minutes for a tasty easy weeknight meal.

Ditch the takeout this Friday and whip up a batch of this instead!

Be sure to try my Air Fryer Pasta Bake and Air Fryer Italian Turkey Meatballs too!

Why you will love this recipe!

Quick and easy: Even the most novice of home cooks can put together this recipe. The results are easily as good as your local Chinese restaurant, and it's a dish that's sure to impress.
Basic ingredients: This is a great end of week meal that makes the most out of leftovers and things you have in your freezer and pantry. It's budget friendly and hassle-free.
Easy to adapt: You can easily add in other ingredients to this dish that you have on hand. It makes for a great main meal, but can also be served as a side dish for a larger feast.

Overhead shot of a spoon in a dish of fried rice.

Ingredients

Eggs: Eggs are quickly scrambled on the stovetop before being added to the other ingredients.
Rice: Use cold cooked rice for the best results. Jasmine, basmati or long grain white rice all work well.
Chicken: For ease and convenience I use sliced cooked chicken from the store, from the deli section. You can use leftover rotisserie or roasted chicken, or quickly oven cook a chicken breast.
Vegetables: I used frozen peas and carrots, most mixed frozen vegetables will work great.
Seasonings: Soy sauce, ground ginger and garlic powder.
Oil: Oil is added to the dish so you get those yummy crispy bits. Any high heat oil like canola or vegetable will work well.

How to make air fryer chicken fried rice

Be sure to scroll down for the full recipe!

Add all of the ingredients to a baking dish that will fit in your air fryer (photo 1).
Mix together and place in the air fryer basket to cook (photo 2).
Cook, stirring occasionally til hot and cooked through (photo 3).

Three step by step photos to show how to make the recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size air fryer is best to use?

I made this chicken fried rice in my smallish 6qt basket air fryer. The dish I used meant that I had to remove the basket and place it directly into the basket base, but it still came out great. This recipe will easily serve two for a main dish, possibly three if you are not greedy like us, and it's a great option as a side for your favorite Chinese mains too.

What baking dish can you use?

Any dish that you would put in the oven can be used in the air fryer, to be safe, use one that is oven proof up to 420F. I used my 7.5 inch Staub casserole dish which worked perfectly. Small metal tins and pans will also work well.

Do you have to use day old rice for this recipe?

For best results, it's best to use cooked cold rice. Ideally cook the rice the night before, or earlier in the day and let it chill in the fridge. This allows the rice to soak up any moisture so that you get those perfect separated grains. In a pinch, you can cook the rice about and hour or two before you need to use it and chill it.

You can also use packaged ready to serve rice.

Close up of chicken fried rice on a white plate.

Recipe Variations

This air fryer chicken fried rice is a a great way to use up bits and pieces you have in your pantry. Make it spicy by adding chili flakes or diced red chilies and make it gluten-free by using tamari instead of soy sauce. Make it vegetarian by omitting the chicken and vegan by skipping the eggs, or using just egg. The dish works great too when the chicken is swapped with shredded pork.

Storage

Once made, this air fryer chicken fried rice will keep well in the fridge for around 3 days. Reheat it in the air fryer at 350F for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring halfway.

Close up of air fryer chicken fried rice in a red casserole dish.

Recipe Notes and Tips

For best results use cooked and chilled rice. The recipe doesn't work well with just cooked rice and it should be cold when mixed with the other ingredients.
Preheat the air fryer before placing in the dish. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat function, let it run for 5 minutes at 350F.
Stir a couple of times during cooking, this will help to heat and cook the rice evenly.
Different air fryer models can run a little differently. Make sure that the rice is piping hot before serving.

More Air Fryer Recipes

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