This savory, fluffy Trader Joes Chicken Fried Rice is made with tender diced chicken, crisp frozen vegetables, and sesame oil, ready in just 20 minutes. The soy sauce caramelizes on the hot pan, coating every grain for that signature golden finish. I love how this copycat version tastes fresher and less salty than the frozen bag from the freezer aisle.
Better Than The Freezer Aisle
I used to rely on that orange bag for quick dinners, but the texture was always a bit soggy after microwaving. Making it fresh lets you control the crunch of the vegetables and ensures the chicken stays juicy rather than rubbery. Plus, you can adjust the sodium levels, which is a huge advantage over the pre-packaged version.
My biggest mistake when I first tried to replicate this was using freshly cooked hot rice, which turned the whole dish into a gummy mush. Using day-old, cold rice instantly solved that problem and gave me those distinct, chewy grains that make fried rice so satisfying.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joes Chicken Fried Rice Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked white or brown rice, cold (day-old is ideal)
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, diced into 1/2 inch pieces
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots mix
- 1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 green onions, sliced thinly
- 1/4 tsp ground white pepper
How To Make Trader Joes Chicken Fried Rice
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through, then remove it from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pan, add the minced garlic and grated ginger. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Soften Vegetables: Toss in the frozen peas, carrots, and corn. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are thawed and tender-crisp.
- Fry the Rice: Add the cold cooked rice to the pan, breaking up any clumps with a spatula. Pour the soy sauce and sesame oil over the rice and toss everything together, frying for 3-4 minutes until the rice is hot and slightly toasted.
- Scramble and Finish: Push the rice mixture to one side of the pan to create an empty space. Pour the whisked eggs into the space and scramble them until set, then mix the eggs and cooked chicken back into the rice. garnish with green onions and white pepper before serving.
Recipe Tips
- Use Cold Rice: Freshly cooked rice has too much moisture and will become mushy. Cold, day-old rice dries out in the fridge, making it perfect for absorbing sauce while keeping its shape.
- High Heat Matters: Keep your burner on medium-high or high to get a nice sear on the chicken and rice. Low heat steams the ingredients instead of frying them.
- Don’t Overcrowd: If you are doubling the recipe, cook it in batches. Too much food in the pan drops the temperature and prevents that delicious browning.
What To Serve With Trader Joes Chicken Fried Rice
This dish pairs perfectly with a tangy Mandarin Orange Chicken or crispy egg rolls for a complete fakeout takeout meal. You can also serve it alongside steamed broccoli or garlic green beans to add more fresh greens to your dinner.
How To Store
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave with a damp paper towel on top to steam the rice slightly, or toss it back in a hot pan for a few minutes to revive the texture.
FAQs
Can I use brown rice like the original?
Yes, Trader Joe’s often uses brown rice in their frozen mix. Just make sure the brown rice is fully cooked and cooled completely before frying.
Why is my fried rice mushy?
This usually happens if the rice was hot when you added it to the pan or if you used too much sauce. Always use chilled rice and add liquid seasonings sparingly.
Can I freeze this recipe?
Absolutely. Let the rice cool completely, then freeze it in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months. It reheats surprisingly well, just like the store-bought version.
Nutrition
- Calories: 380
- Total Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
- Sodium: 680mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 42g
- Protein: 24g
Trader Joes Chicken Fried Rice
4
servings10
minutes15
minutes25
minutesTrader Joes Chicken Fried Rice brings fluffy grains and tender chicken to your table in just 20 minutes. This easy copycat uses crisp veggies, savory soy sauce, and sesame oil for a better-than-frozen weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
2 cups cooked white or brown rice, cold (day-old is ideal)
1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, diced into 1/2 inch pieces
1 tbsp vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
1 cup frozen peas and carrots mix
1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
2 large eggs, whisked
2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
2 green onions, sliced thinly
1/4 tsp ground white pepper
Directions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through, then remove it from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pan, add the minced garlic and grated ginger. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Soften Vegetables: Toss in the frozen peas, carrots, and corn. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are thawed and tender-crisp.
- Fry the Rice: Add the cold cooked rice to the pan, breaking up any clumps with a spatula. Pour the soy sauce and sesame oil over the rice and toss everything together, frying for 3-4 minutes until the rice is hot and slightly toasted.
- Scramble and Finish: Push the rice mixture to one side of the pan to create an empty space. Pour the whisked eggs into the space and scramble them until set, then mix the eggs and cooked chicken back into the rice. garnish with green onions and white pepper before serving.
