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Budget-Friendly Crispy Dollar Store Chicken Fried Rice

budget-friendly crispy dollar store chicken fried rice - featured image

A quick, easy, and affordable chicken fried rice recipe using simple ingredients from the dollar store, delivering crispy texture and savory flavor perfect for weeknight dinners or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound pre-cooked or frozen chicken strips (thawed and cut into bite-sized pieces)
  • 3 cups cooked, day-old white rice (preferably jasmine or long grain)
  • 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, and corn)
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil

Instructions

  1. Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces if not already. Chop garlic, onions, and slice green onions. Thaw frozen vegetables by placing them in warm water for 5 minutes, then drain well.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden and crispy on the edges. Remove and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add the remaining oil. Toss in chopped onions and garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
  4. Stir in the thawed mixed vegetables and cook for another 3-4 minutes until heated through but still slightly crisp.
  5. Add the cold, day-old rice to the skillet. Break up any clumps with a spatula and mix thoroughly with veggies and aromatics. Spread rice in a thin layer over the pan, letting it sit undisturbed for about 2 minutes to develop crispness. Stir and repeat once more.
  6. Pour in soy sauce, oyster sauce if using, and sesame oil. Stir everything well, coating the rice evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Add the crispy chicken back to the pan. Stir to combine and warm through for 1-2 minutes. Toss in sliced green onions.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. For extra crispiness, spread the rice again and let it fry for another minute before serving.

Notes

Use day-old rice for best texture. Avoid overcrowding the pan to keep crispiness. Preheat pan well before cooking. For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. For vegetarian, replace chicken with tofu or extra veggies.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken fried rice, budget-friendly, crispy fried rice, dollar store recipe, easy dinner, quick meal, affordable recipe