I crave this meal.

Made with basmati rice cooked in bone broth, juicy carrots and peas, and tasty Asian flavors, this dish is a go-to for our family. We love having leftovers of this dish too, so I make it in our biggest pan and fill it FULL. After the meal, I throw what’s left in a big plastic container and snack on it or warm it up for lunch the next day. Simple and exciting all at the same time, this recipe is a winner, and I’m excited to share it with you!

Why you’ll love this recipe.

1. It’s delicious.

Made with familiar Asian ingredients like garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil, this dish is not lacking flavor. Depending on how much of each ingredient you add, you can make the flavors more or less subtle. The chicken broth also adds a richness to the rice that will make you want to come back for more!

2. It’s a cheap dinner option.

This meal is not expensive. Other than maybe the sesame oil, you probably have every ingredient in your fridge or pantry. Or they’re things you buy regularly. You can use fresh or frozen veggies, a cheap cut of chicken, and whatever type of rice you enjoy!

3. It can feed a crowd.

Like I said, when we cook this meal, we fill our biggest pan FULL. Having cheap ingredients like rice and veggies really bulk up this dish without making it feel boring or bland. This would be a great meal to make when hosting or feeding a large family.

4. It’s nutritious.

The bone broth, vegetables, garlic and ginger make this meal very nutritious. It’s nourishing in so many ways.

5. It can be allergy-friendly.

This meal is dairy-free, and if you use gluten-free soy sauce or coconut aminos, it’s gluten-free too! If someone in your family or one of your guests has allergies or intolerances, consider this for a great dinner idea!

What You’ll Need.

Chicken Thighs

Thighs are not only an inexpensive cut of chicken, they also tend to be less dry and very flavorful. I love getting them with the bone-in, because they’re cheaper and can easily be used to make my own broth!

Basmati Rice

I love basmati rice, but really any rice will work great in this recipe!

Onion

Onions add a lot of flavor and depth to a dish.

Garlic

Garlic is so good for you and really delicious!

Ginger

An iconic ingredient in Asian dishes, ginger is also really good for you and adds so much vibrancy to your recipe!

Olive or Coconut Oil

Either oil will work great!

Carrots and Peas

These delicious veggies add color, nutrition, and flavor!

Soy Sauce

You could also use coconut aminoes or gluten-free soy sauce. This condiment is a tasty addition and is the primary sauce in this rice meal.

Sesame Oil

You don’t need much to really appreciate this addition. Sesame oil is subtle and so very tasty.

The method.

Dice one onion, and saute it in 2 TBSP oil.

Add your chopped carrots, minced garlic, and minced ginger. Enjoy the aromas!

While your veggies are simmering, now it’s time to cook your delicious bone broth rice! Combine your broth and dry rice and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer until all the liquid soaks into the rice.

When the carrots are almost at your preferred softness (think al dente), stir in your diced chicken, frozen peas, and rice.

Cook until peas are thawed.

Next you add your sauces! Pour in your soy sauce and sesame oil. Remove from heat, and stir to fully coat your food.

Serve in bowls.

Add chives and hot sauce if desired.

Enjoy!

FAQ About Chicken Fried Rice

Is it better to use day-old rice for this dish?

You certainly could, but make sure it’s cooked in bone-broth. That is a key component to this meal!

What are some different veggies that would be tasty substitutes?

You could substitute the peas and carrots with so many veggies! Corn, sweet potato, cabbage, or broccoli are some that come to mind!

Could you use beef or vegetable broth instead of chicken broth?

Yes! Both of those would be delicious!

Could I make a smaller batch of this meal?

Absolutely! I’d recommend just making a half recipe to do this! Divide each ingredient measurement in half (i.e. 1/2 onion, 1.5 cups rice, 3 chicken thighs, etc.). No problem!