Quinoa Fried Rice is a healthy version of the take-out favorite and an easy one pan dish that’s perfect for those busy weeknights. This Quinoa Fried Rice Recipe is chocked full of veggies and chicken; making it a wholesome, filling meal the whole family will love!
Table of Contents
Quinoa Chicken Fried Rice
Do you ever want to eat Chicken Fried Rice, but also want to keep things healthy? This Quinoa Fried Rice Recipe is just the thing!
On busy weeknights, take-out may seem like the easy answer, but this Chicken Quinoa Fried Rice will change your mind! In just 30 minutes, you can put a delicious meal on the table that tastes just like your favorite take-out fried rice!
To make this dish extra wholesome, we’re using the nutrient-packed grain, quinoa, instead of rice. This Quinoa Chicken Fried Rice is also loaded with plenty of hearty and colorful veggies, including carrots, peas, red bell pepper, and onion. And with just a bit of sesame oil for sautéing, this Chicken Quinoa Fried Rice is a healthier alternative to traditional fried rice.
How to Make Quinoa Fried Rice with Chicken
To begin, you’ll need cooked quinoa. I like to make a big batch at the beginning of the week so I have it on hand to add to meals during the week. Alternatively, you can find quinoa pouches at the grocery store these days that you can pop in the microwave for a quick and easy option. SO EASY.
Along with the cooked quinoa, you’ll need to prep the veggies, which includes chopping the carrots, onion, bell pepper, and garlic. I like to separate them into bowls so I can easily toss them into the pan when the time comes. Feel free to toss in other veggies that your family loves!
What kind of Chicken is best for Fried Rice
For the chicken, I started with uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts and chopped them into tiny pieces. From there, I seasoned with salt and pepper and sautéed them in sesame oil. To save the step of cooking the chicken, you can always use leftover cooked chicken or even store-bought rotisserie chicken.
How to make Chicken Fried Rice with Quinoa
When the chicken is cooked through, you’ll transfer it to another plate and work on the veggies. Once the veggies have softened, it’s time to bring everything together by adding in the chicken and quinoa. If you like scrambled egg in your fried rice, make a little crater in the quinoa fried rice and crack the eggs in the hole.
Scramble the eggs right in the middle, and once cooked, give everything a big stir. Then, add in the soy sauce for a final punch of flavor! At this point, it’s important to give the dish a taste and add more salt and pepper or soy sauce if needed. SO MUCH FLAVOR!
Great recipes to pair with Quinoa Fried Rice:
Toppings for the Chicken Quinoa Fried Rice
Toppings for the Chicken Quinoa Fried Rice are completely optional, but if you’re going to make it a meal, it’s always fun to add some finishing touches. Chopped green onion is a nice option because it brings out the savory flavor of the dish. And if you enjoy a bit of spiciness, go ahead and drizzle on some sriracha!
Other fun toppings to add? Chopped bacon, chopped nuts, avocado, or a fried drippy egg. Any way you top it, this Chicken Quinoa Fried Rice recipe is a quick, easy, and a yummy, healthier alternative to the take-out version!
Looking for more? These Easy Chicken Recipes are sure to please! Chicken in White Wine Sauce is our favorite way to make Creamy Chicken Dijon! This amazing White Wine Sauce has 3 types of mustard and is sure to please. Easy Chicken Piccata is an amazing dinner made in minutes that the entire family will love. This one pan Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe has only 7 ingredients and is packed with SO much flavor. Cheesy Asparagus Stuffed Chicken Breast is the BEST Stuffed Chicken Recipe we have ever made! Tender chicken loaded with two types of cheese (goat cheese and mozzarella) and asparagus just can’t be beat. Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Drumsticks feature an easy Homemade BBQ Sauce that is to die for! Everything cooks together in the crock pot and at the end of the day you’re ready to eat! Marinated Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken is one of the BEST ways to cook Baked Chicken! This Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe is so juicy, tender, and perfect! Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast is a 3 INGREDIENT CHICKEN RECIPE that’s healthy (around 400 calories per chicken breast), made in under 30 minutes, and done in just ONE PAN! Other Easy Chicken Recipes to Make
Chicken in White Wine Sauce (Creamy Chicken Dijon)
Easy Chicken Piccata Recipe
Cheesy Asparagus Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Marinated Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe
Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe
Quinoa Chicken Fried Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil divided
- 1 pound uncooked chicken breasts chopped into small pieces
- Salt and pepper
- 1/2 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 medium carrots chopped
- 1 cup peas
- 1/2 bell pepper chopped
- Salt and pepper
- 2 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
- 3 eggs
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- Chopped green onion optional
- Sriracha optional
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Add 1 teaspoons of sesame oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Once heated, add in the chicken and season with salt and pepper. Sauté the chicken for 7-8 minutes until the pieces are cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
- Cook the veggies: Add the remaining teaspoon of oil to the same skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion until translucent. Add in the garlic, carrots, peas, and bell pepper. Season well with salt and pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes. Stir in the quinoa and chicken.
- Scramble the eggs: Make a large well in the middle of the skillet. Add a bit of oil or cooking spray to the exposed portion of the pan. Crack the eggs in the well, and scramble the eggs. It’s okay if the eggs mix into the quinoa and veggies when scrambling.
- Add the finishing touches: Pour in the soy sauce. Stir everything until combined. Season with salt and pepper or add more soy sauce to taste. Top with chopped green onion and a drizzle of sriracha
Billy says
Love the twist with quinoa in this recipe, so good!
Becky Hardin says
Thanks Billy!
Aimee Shugarman says
I was surprised how much I loved the quinoa in this recipe, will definitely make again!
Becky Hardin says
That’s wonderful!
Miranda says
I love how quick this recipe was to make! The entire family loved it and is asking for it again next week!
Becky Hardin says
That’s awesome Miranda, thanks for letting me know 🙂
Sommer says
So delicious! I wrote this recipe down to keep.
Becky Hardin says
SO glad!
Gramps says
Why so much salt, there is plenty in the soy sauce that you should not need to add any additional. Also, I would crack the eggs in a bowl and mix them up before adding it to the pan, a lot easier and less messy.
Becky Hardin says
Great ideas, thank you!
Jocelyn says
We love this so much more than a tradition rice recipe. Well done!
Becky Hardin says
Thanks girl!
Tracy Hunley says
I am a “lurker” I read your blog, have tried 1/3 of the recipes (they’re all fab) and keep it moving. But this recipe? It. Was. EVERYTHING! I tweaked and added some grated ginger and TONS of sauteed garlic but it was utterly fantastic! I took leftovers to a friend recovering from knee replacement surgery and she hates anything remotely healthy. She loved it. Just wanted to say how much I love your blog. There are a of people out there like me. We lurk and don’t post.
Becky Hardin says
Thank you so much, Tracy!! I’m glad you loved it and the other recipes so much! I really appreciate it 🙂
Mel says
I have a question- is the 2 1/2 cups of quinoa mean the cooker quinoa or 2 and 1/2 cups of raw quinoa? So excited to try this!
Becky Hardin says
You would use cooked quinoa!
Diane H says
I loved this recipe! Thank you so much for sharing!
Becky Hardin says
Thanks for stopping by!
Rachel says
Came out mushy
Becky Hardin says
I am sorry this didn’t work out for you, Rachel!