🍚🥓 Chicken and Bacon Fried Rice

Hearty, savory fried rice packed with crispy bacon, tender chicken, fluffy eggs, and veggies — all ready in just 30 minutes.

Chicken and Bacon Fried Rice is the ultimate comfort-meets-convenience meal. It transforms simple leftovers into a bold, satisfying dish with smoky bacon, juicy chicken, and perfectly seasoned rice. This recipe is fast enough for busy weeknights but flavorful enough to feel like a takeout favorite made better at home.

Using day-old rice ensures that classic fried rice texture — fluffy, slightly crispy, and never mushy.

🛒 Ingredients

5 cups leftover cold rice (day-old rice works best)
3 eggs, lightly beaten
3 cups cooked chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces (rotisserie works great)
6 slices bacon, chopped
1 cup frozen peas (no need to thaw)
3 green onions, sliced (white and green parts separated)
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp soy sauce (or low-sodium)
1 tbsp oyster sauce (optional but adds depth)
1 tsp sesame oil
2 tbsp vegetable oil, divided
Salt and black pepper, to taste

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Cook the Bacon

Heat a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving about 1–2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan for flavor.

2️⃣ Scramble the Eggs

Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the pan if needed. Pour in the beaten eggs and gently scramble until just set. Transfer the eggs to a plate and set aside.

3️⃣ Sauté Aromatics & Chicken

Increase heat to medium-high. Add the remaining vegetable oil, garlic, and the white parts of the green onions. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the cooked chicken and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until heated through.

4️⃣ Fry the Rice

Add the cold rice to the pan, breaking up clumps with a spatula. Let it cook undisturbed for 1–2 minutes before stirring — this creates that signature fried rice texture. Stir in peas and cook for another 2 minutes.