Leftovers

Day-Two Chicken Fried Rice (Our Favorite Leftover Hack)

Name: Day-Two Chicken Fried Rice (Our Favorite Leftover Hack)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 3 servings
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 3 tbsp neutral oil, divided; 2 large eggs, beaten; 1 small onion, diced; 1 cup frozen peas and carrots; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 4 cup cold leftover cooked rice; 2 cup shredded leftover chicken; 3 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp oyster sauce; 1 tsp toasted sesame oil; 3 scallions, sliced

Turn last night's roast chicken and leftover rice into the best fried rice of your week. 15 minutes, one pan.

By Will & SydApril 19, 2026

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If we're being honest, the leftover fried rice is often better than the original meal. Cold, day-old rice is drier and firmer than fresh — which means it fries up in crispy little pebbles instead of turning to mush. This is our template; swap in whatever protein and veg you've got.

Recipe

Day-Two Chicken Fried Rice (Our Favorite Leftover Hack)

Prep: 5 min
Cook: 10 min
Total: 15 min
Serves: 3

Ingredients

- 3 tbspneutral oil, divided
- 2large eggs, beaten
- 1small onion, diced
- 1 cupfrozen peas and carrots
- 3garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cupcold leftover cooked rice
- 2 cupshredded leftover chicken
- 3 tbspsoy sauce
- 1 tbspoyster sauce
- 1 tsptoasted sesame oil
- 3scallions, sliced

Instructions

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat. Add eggs and scramble quickly until just set. Transfer to a plate.
Add remaining 2 tbsp oil. Add onion and frozen vegetables; stir-fry 2 minutes.
Add garlic and stir 30 seconds. Add the cold rice, breaking up any clumps with your spatula. Spread in an even layer and let sit 1 minute to catch some color.
Add the shredded chicken, soy sauce, and oyster sauce. Toss everything together, letting it fry for another 2–3 minutes.
Return the eggs to the pan, drizzle with sesame oil, and fold in the scallions. Taste and add more soy if needed. Serve hot.

Notes

Cold rice is essential. If yours is still warm, spread it on a sheet pan and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes before starting.

Substitutions

No oyster sauce? Use 1 extra tbsp soy + 1 tsp honey. Any leftover protein works — pork, shrimp, tofu, steak.

Leftover tips

This IS the leftover recipe. If you somehow have leftover fried rice, crack an egg on top, pan-fry until crispy, and call it breakfast.

Nutrition

Calories: 480
Protein: 28g
Carbs: 52g
Fat: 16g

Frequently asked

You can, but spread it on a sheet pan and chill it in the fridge for at least 20 minutes first. Fresh rice is too moist and will steam instead of fry.

#leftovers #30-minute #one-pan #weeknight