🍗🍚 Easy Air Fryer Chicken Fried Rice
Fast • Flavorful • Better Than Takeout
Serves 3–4
Ingredients
Base
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3 cups cooked rice, cold (day-old is best)
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1½ cups cooked chicken, diced
(rotisserie chicken works great) -
1 cup frozen peas & carrots (no need to thaw)
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3 large eggs
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2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari)
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1 tbsp sesame oil
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1 tbsp neutral oil (avocado/vegetable)
Seasoning
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½ tsp garlic powder
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¼ tsp white or black pepper
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Optional:
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Green onions
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Extra soy sauce
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Chili crisp or sriracha
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🔥 Air Fryer Instructions
1️⃣ Prep the Rice
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Break up cold rice with your hands.
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Toss with neutral oil, sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic powder, and pepper.
2️⃣ First Cook (Crisp the Rice)
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Preheat air fryer to 375°F / 190°C
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Spread rice mixture in air fryer basket or tray.
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Cook 6–8 minutes, shaking halfway.
3️⃣ Add Chicken & Veggies
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Add chicken and frozen veggies.
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Toss gently.
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Cook 5–6 minutes more.
4️⃣ Add Eggs (KEY STEP)
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Push rice to the sides.
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Pour beaten eggs into the center.
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Cook 2 minutes, then stir everything together.
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Cook another 2–3 minutes until eggs are set.
🍽 Serve Hot
Top with green onions, chili crisp, or extra soy sauce.
🤔 Q & A (Fried Rice Fixes)
Q: Why does the rice need to be cold?
A: Cold rice is drier → crispy fried rice instead of mush.
Q: Mine turned dry—what happened?
A:
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Too long in air fryer
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Not enough oil
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Rice was overcooked initially
Add a splash of soy sauce or butter to fix.
Q: Can I use raw chicken?
A: Not recommended. Cook chicken first for even results.
Q: Basket or tray air fryer?
A:
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Tray: best airflow, even browning
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Basket: works—just shake more often
Q: Can I make it keto or low-carb?
A: Yes!
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Swap rice for cauliflower rice
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Reduce cook time by 2–3 minutes
🔁 Easy Variations
Takeout-Style
Add ½ tsp chicken bouillon powder
Spicy
Add chili crisp or gochujang
Shrimp Fried Rice
Swap chicken for cooked shrimp (add at the end)
🧠 Pro Tips
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Don’t overcrowd—cook in batches if needed
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White pepper = authentic flavor
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Let rice sit 1–2 minutes before serving for best texture
