Shrimp and Chicken Fried Rice

Shrimp and Chicken Fried Rice is a quick and flavorful meal made with simple ingredients—perfect for using leftover rice.

This dish brings together tender chicken, shrimp, and rice in a simple way that works every time. It’s easy to prepare and doesn’t require much effort, which makes it a great option for busy days.

The combination of ingredients creates a well-balanced meal with a light Asian touch. What I like most is how quickly everything comes together, especially when you already have cooked rice on hand.

It’s one of those recipes that’s both practical and satisfying, and it often becomes a regular in the weekly menu.

Shrimp and Chicken Fried Rice

Fried rice has become a regular dish in our home over time. It started with a simple mix of rice and eggs, but it quickly turned into something we could adapt depending on what we had—adding vegetables, meat, or seafood.

My partner first introduced me to this kind of dish after he traveled in Asia, especially in places like China, Indonesia, and Singapore. Since then, we’ve been making our own versions at home, trying different sauces and combinations until we found the one we like the most.

This version with shrimp and chicken is our favorite—it’s simple, full of flavor, and easy to adjust to your taste.

I also like it because it’s a great way to use leftover rice. Although, to be honest, in our house, leftover rice doesn’t always happen as often as it should.

How to choose the best ingredients for Shrimp and Chicken Fried Rice

Shrimp: Use large shrimp, either raw or pre-cooked. Raw shrimp give the best flavor, but cooked shrimp can be added at the end for convenience.

Chicken breast: Choose good-quality, fresh chicken if possible. Frozen chicken can release extra water and affect the texture when frying.

Eggs: Eggs add richness and help bring all the ingredients together. Use good-quality large eggs.

Onion: Brown or yellow onion works best for a mild, balanced flavor. White onion is sharper, and red onion can slightly change the color of the dish.

Vegetables: Use a mix you like—carrots, peas, corn, and green beans work well. Frozen vegetables are convenient, but fresh ones are just as good. Cut everything into small pieces so they cook quickly and evenly. You can also add bell peppers, bean sprouts, garlic, or bok choy for more variety.

Rice: Day-old rice works best because it’s drier and fries better. Basmati or jasmine rice are great choices, but you can also use other types depending on what you have.

Soy sauce: Choose a good-quality soy sauce for the best flavor. Both light and dark soy sauce work, depending on how strong you want the taste and color.

Sesame oil: Adds a distinct, nutty flavor and gives the dish its characteristic aroma. Use a small amount at the end for the best effect.

Hoisin sauce: Adds a slightly sweet, rich flavor. It’s best used in small amounts so it doesn’t overpower the dish.

Oyster sauce: Brings a deeper, savory taste. It pairs well with hoisin sauce and balances the overall flavor.

Oil: Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, like vegetable or canola oil, for frying.

Green onion/Spring onion: Adds freshness and a mild sharpness at the end, along with a nice color contrast.

Step-by-Step Shrimp and Chicken Fried Rice

Shrimp and chicken fried rice is an easy weeknight meal that the whole family can enjoy, even the kids!

If we have cooked rice, we can safely move on to the next part of the recipe. The best will be cold leftover rice from yesterday. 

If the rice is still cooking, first cook the rice until fluffy (I will tell you that it is best to rinse the rice well under running water and cook it in the proportion of one part rice to two parts water. Cook the rice covered)

Step 1: In a small bowl, beat the eggs to make perfect scrambled eggs. Then fry the beaten eggs in the hot pan to make scrambled eggs. I like to beat the eggs first so that the white combines with the yolk. You can prepare your own version of scrambled eggs. The yolk must be hardened enough so that there is no fresh yolk.

Step 2: In the next stage, we take on the next proteins in this recipe: chicken and shrimp. I dry the chicken and shrimp with a paper towel so that there is as little water as possible; this definitely extends the frying time.

Step 3: In the meantime, combine the soy sauce and sesame oil in a bowl.

Step 4: Once you have fried the chicken and shrimp, I will do it together, adding the soy sauce and sesame oil. Fry for at least 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and our proteins turn light brown.

Step 5: Remove the chicken and shrimp from the pan to a bowl and start on the vegetables.

Step 6: Finely chop the onion into small cubes.

Step 7: Pour about 1-2 tablespoons of oil into the large pan and fry the onion until golden brown. Don't worry if the onion takes on a color after frying the chicken and shrimp; nothing happens.

Step 8: Once the onion is soft, add the frozen vegetables and stir constantly to fry them gently. This takes about 5-6 minutes, stirring constantly.

Step 8 Now, we will complete our dish: add rice and fry for about 2 minutes; add scrambled eggs and mix thoroughly. You can try this in the meantime, but you must be careful because it may disappear before the whole dish is ready.

Step 9 Add shrimp and chicken (don't snack! They're so good, ugh!)

Step 10: Once we have practically everything added, pour the mixture of sauces housing and oyster - I personally like this combination because it adds an individual flavor to the dish.

Step 11 Mix everything thoroughly, season with salt and pepper if our taste requires it. Sprinkle with chopped green onion.

Enjoy!

How to store Fried Rice

Fried rice can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-3 days. This time guarantees that the dish will retain its freshness and taste. However, I do not recommend storing fried rice with shrimp because it loses its taste and consistency when reheated.

More Chicken Recipes I Love

Chicken Alfredo Linguine: A traditional Italian version of creamy pasta. You can make it in just 15 minutes!

Old Delhi – Style Curry Chicken. This recipe takes time, but I'm telling you, it's worth trying this flavor!

Air Fryer Chicken Breast: This quick and easy recipe yields juicy chicken breasts in the Air Fryer!

Herbs Juicy Chicken Roasted in Salt. This method allows you to enjoy juicy, whole-roasted chicken. It's a perfect recipe not only for everyday use but also for the holiday table.

Chicken ala King is the perfect chicken stew. You can use leftover chicken from the previous day to prepare this dish.

Chicken Fricassee is a French stew with chicken parts. Perfect comfort food for busy families.

FAQ

What is the best way to prepare fried rice?

For this dish, you will need a large pan that will allow you to stir the food freely while frying. A large wok will be best, but a fairly deep pan will also work if you don't have a large one.

Can I use frozen shrimp and chicken?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp and chicken. Ensure they are fully thawed and patted dry before cooking to avoid excess moisture.

Can I make it vegetarian?

Yes, you can. Swap the shrimp and chicken for tofu or another meat substitute for vegetarians. 

Can I prep shrimp and chicken fried rice for meal prep?

My answer is yes and no. I do not recommend reheating shrimp because they lose their flavor. If you make the version with chicken, you can successfully store it in the refrigerator for 3 days. 

Is it gluten-free?

Soy sauce often contains gluten, so if you're looking for a gluten-free option, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative.

Can I make the dish spicy?

Of course, you can add fresh chili to vegetables or use powdered chili. This dish is customizable to your taste buds. Chicken and shrimp taste great in mild and hot versions.

Can I use orzo instead of rice?

Of course, you can. It would be best to prepare it first according to the information on the packaging.