Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and slight spiciness to complement other ingredients.
For Freshness and Texture:
Frozen Peas: Brings sweet, crisp pop of color and nutritional value to the fried rice.
Green Onions: Provides bright, sharp finish with mild onion flavor and vibrant green garnish.
Cold Cooked Rice: Day-old rice ensures perfect texture and prevents mushiness during stir-frying.
Bacon Grease: Offers rich, deep flavor base for sautéing and enhancing overall dish complexity.
Cooking Tools for Chicken and Bacon Fried Rice
Large Skillet: Essential for cooking and mixing all ingredients, ensuring even heat distribution.
Mixing Bowl: Perfect for beating eggs before cooking and setting them aside.
Spatula or Wooden Spoon: Crucial for stirring rice, breaking chunks, and mixing ingredients smoothly.
Measuring Tablespoon: Helps accurately measure bacon grease or oil for consistent flavor.
Sharp Knife: Needed for slicing green onions and preparing ingredients.
Plate: Used for serving the final fried rice dish.
How to Make Chicken and Bacon Fried Rice Easily
Bacon Sizzle Preparation Warm your skillet and create golden scrambled eggs with crispy bacon pieces. Set aside the fluffy egg mixture for later magic.
Rice Transformation Break up cold rice and toss it into the same skillet, letting it dance with residual bacon flavors. Splash in some soy sauce and sesame oil to awaken the grains.
Flavor Fusion Gently fold in tender chicken pieces, crispy bacon bits, and sweet green peas. Let everything mingle and heat through, creating a symphony of textures and tastes.
Final Touch Reintroduce the scrambled eggs, giving the entire dish a gentle stir. Sprinkle with freshly cracked pepper to elevate the flavor profile and bring everything together in delicious harmony.
Serving Celebration Transfer the steaming fried rice to waiting plates, ready to transport taste buds on an incredible culinary journey. Each bite promises a perfect blend of savory ingredients and comforting warmth.
Tips for Chicken and Bacon Fried Rice Flavor
Use day-old refrigerated rice for the best texture. Freshly cooked rice can become mushy, so spreading it on a tray to cool completely helps prevent clumping.
Swap chicken with leftover turkey, shrimp, or tofu for a different protein twist. Vegetarians can double the eggs or add extra vegetables for a hearty meal.
Drizzle sriracha sauce or sprinkle red pepper flakes for an extra kick. Gochujang paste can add a complex Korean-inspired heat that elevates the entire dish.
Feel free to toss in additional vegetables like diced carrots, corn, or chopped bell peppers. Quickly stir-fry harder vegetables before adding rice to ensure they're tender and flavorful.
This fried rice tastes even better the next day. Store in an airtight container and reheat in a skillet with a splash of oil to restore its crispy texture.
Serving Chicken and Bacon Fried Rice Hot
Flavor Fusion Plate: Pair this hearty fried rice with a zesty cucumber salad dressed in rice vinegar and sesame seeds for a refreshing contrast to the rich, savory main dish.
Family-Style Feast: Serve alongside crisp steamed edamame or a light miso soup to create a complete meal that balances the robust flavors of chicken and bacon.
Brunch Brilliance: Transform this dish into a weekend brunch star by topping with a sunny-side-up egg and adding a sprinkle of extra crispy bacon bits for added crunch and indulgence.
Quick Meal Companion: Complement the fried rice with a small side of sriracha or chili oil for those who love an extra kick of spice, allowing each person to customize their plate.
Storage Tips for Chicken and Bacon Fried Rice
Smart Fridge Storage: Transfer leftover fried rice into airtight containers, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture and maintain optimal flavor integrity.
Quick Reheat Technique: When ready to enjoy again, sprinkle a few drops of water before microwaving to restore rice's original moisture and prevent dryness. Stir midway through heating to distribute warmth evenly.
Freezer-Friendly Approach: Portion leftover rice into individual freezer-safe containers, lasting up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best taste and texture.
Meal Prep Magic: Prepare larger batches of this chicken and bacon fried rice during weekends. Store in grab-and-go containers for quick lunches or dinners throughout the busy workweek, saving time and reducing daily cooking stress.
Chinese-inspired chicken and bacon fried rice combines savory proteins with aromatic jasmine rice for a quick weeknight meal. Crispy bacon bits and tender chicken pieces elevate this classic dish to new flavor heights you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
3 cups chicken, cooked and cut into ½-inch pieces
1 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
3 eggs, beaten
5 cups rice, cold and cooked
¼ cup peas, frozen
3 green onions, thinly sliced
¼ cup soy sauce, low-sodium
2 tbsps bacon grease (or oil)
1 tbsp sesame oil
¼ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
Egg Preparation: Heat skillet over medium temperature, melt bacon drippings or oil. Pour whisked eggs, let settle briefly, then scramble until fully cooked. Remove eggs to a separate dish.
Rice Transformation: In the same skillet, add bacon fat or oil, increase heat to medium-high. Introduce refrigerated rice, break apart clusters, coat evenly with fat and reheat thoroughly.
Flavor Infusion: Drizzle soy sauce and sesame oil over rice, stir consistently to blend flavors and distribute heat evenly for 4-5 minutes.
Protein and Vegetable Integration: Fold diced chicken, crumbled bacon, and frozen green peas into the sizzling mixture, ensuring complete incorporation and uniform heating.
Final Blend: Gently mix in previously scrambled eggs and thinly sliced green onions, maintaining ingredient structure and even distribution.
Finishing Touch: Sprinkle freshly ground black pepper across the surface to taste, then serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
Bacon Drippings Magic: Using bacon fat instead of plain oil dramatically enhances the dish’s depth and richness, creating a more complex flavor profile.
Rice Temperature Trick: Day-old refrigerated rice works best for fried rice, preventing soggy texture and ensuring perfect crispy grains that separate beautifully.
Heat Management Crucial: Maintaining medium-high heat prevents burning while achieving that signature wok-like sear and caramelization on ingredients.
Seasoning Balance: Soy sauce and sesame oil are key flavor boosters, but add gradually to control saltiness and prevent overwhelming the delicate ingredient harmony.
Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist
Expertise
Recipe Development and Testing, Modern American and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and global cuisines.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Program: Diploma in Pastry Arts
Focus: Specialized education in baking and pastry, emphasizing artisanal bread, confections, and plated desserts.
Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.
Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.
At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.
Michael Reynolds
Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist
Expertise
Recipe Development and Testing, Modern American and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.
Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.
At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.