Recipe creator and Bored of Lunch cookbook author Nathan Anthony has shared an easy chicken fried rice recipe that takes less than 15 minutes, and it can be made entirely in the air fryer.
The dish, a takeaway favourite, is described as quick, budget-friendly and simple to throw together, especially when using pre-cooked or microwaveable rice. Cooking it in the air fryer uses less oil than cooking on the hob and gives the rice a slightly more crispy, toasted texture.
Fakeaway praised by home cooks
Posting on his blog, the cook said: "Who doesn’t love chicken fried rice? It’s one of the most popular takeaway dishes – and now you can recreate your own fakeaway chicken fried rice at home using your air fryer!"
He added: "This version is quick, budget-friendly, and super easy to throw together, especially if you’re using pre-cooked or microwaveable rice."
People commenting on the TikTok video were full of praise for the recipe. One wrote: "Made this tonight instead of a takeaway as I’m dieting … was absolutely amazing and tasted better than what I would have out the Chinese." Another said: "Absolutely loved this, definitely making it again soon."
Ingredients and method
The recipe serves four and uses three chicken breasts, cubed, along with low-calorie oil spray, a heaped teaspoon of curry powder, two 250g packets of microwaveable rice, one tablespoon each of hoisin, oyster and soy sauces, one teaspoon of sesame oil, one tablespoon of garlic purée, one teaspoon of ground ginger, half a teaspoon of Chinese five spice, one grated carrot, one finely chopped onion, 50g frozen peas, one beaten egg (optional) and salt to taste. It is served with a 50g jar of curry sauce and chopped spring onions.
To make it, preheat the air fryer to 200°C (390°F) for two minutes. Spray the chicken with oil, dust with the curry powder and season with salt, then cook for around eight minutes. Cook the rice according to the packet instructions, then toss it into the chicken with the sauces, sesame oil, garlic purée, ground ginger and Chinese five spice, along with the vegetables. Air-fry at 200°C (390°F) for another five minutes.
If adding an egg, do so as soon as the dish is cooked, stirring everything through in the air fryer so the egg cooks in the heat of the other ingredients. Serve with curry sauce and chopped spring onions.
