Greek Fried Rice
This Greek Fried Rice has the healthful Mediterranean ingredients you love, in this quick and easy take on chicken fried rice.
Lately / forever, I’ve been a big fan of “snack lunches”. They typically involved a few selections of the following: kalamata olives, a small hunk of feta cheese, crackers, a few pieces of salami, clementines, a hard boiled egg, sliced tomatoes (if they’re in season), roasted beets, avocado toast, or an everything english muffin. Jeff sometimes pokes fun at me for these oddball little lunches, but they make me happy.
As you probably tell from the olives, feta and beets, I’m a big fan of Mediterranean flavors. I decided to take some of those favorite ingredients and turn my snack lunch into a real-deal dinner. I’m bringing you budget-friendly meals this month, and this Greek Chicken Fried Rice fits the bill.
What is in this Greek Fried Rice?
Made with the same techniques of a classic Chinese fried rice (right down to the scrambled egg), this rice is packed with chicken breast, chickpeas, olives, cow’s milk feta, red onion, tomatoes and parsley. Seasoned with just a bit of lemon juice and salt and pepper, this fun, affordable meal can be on the table in no time.
Greek Chicken Fried Rice
This Greek Fried Rice has the healthful Mediterranean ingredients you love, in this quick and easy take on chicken fried rice.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large chicken breast, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 3 cups prepared white rice
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh parsley leaves
- 1/2 cup crumbled cow's milk feta cheese
- 1/2 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
- 1/3 cup kalamata olives, halved
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- In wok or large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook until almost cooked through, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes.
- Add onion; cook 1 minute, stirring frequently.
- Add rice; cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Push rice to sides of wok, creating a well in center of wok. Crack eggs into well, scramble vigorously with wooden spoon; cook 2 minutes (keeping eggs in well) or until eggs are full cooked.
- Add chickpeas, parsley, cheese, tomatoes, olives, lemon juice, salt and pepper; cook 2 minutes or until warmed through; stirring frequently.
Notes
Home Chef Tip: Fried rice works best with day-old rice! Use leftovers from a previous night's meal, or make a batch of rice the night before. Spread the cooked rice on a small rimmed baking pan lined with parchment paper. Transfer to refrigerator and let sit, uncovered, overnight.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 444Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 127mgSodium: 519mgCarbohydrates: 52gFiber: 5gSugar: 4gProtein: 22g
MORE TASTY GREEK-INSPIRED RECIPES:
- Greek Chicken Marinade – juicy, succulent chicken every time!
- Greek Mashed Potatoes – so good with lamb or steak.
- Melomakarona – a classic honey & spice cookie for Christmas.
- Greek Chicken Meatballs – this one is always a winner at parties!
- Greek Shrimp Bruschetta – shrimp and crusty bread, yum!
- Greek Lamb Kleftiko from supergolden bakes
- Easy Greek Tzatziki Sauce from Evolving Table
What a beautiful dish, looks great for a meatless Monday as well (assuming you take out the chicken of course)!
Thanks so much, Mary. This would be great without the chicken for Meatless Monday!
hmmm…this DOES sound delicious. I’m wondering how it would be with shrimp instead of the chicken. I’m guessing it would still be awesome. Thoughts??
I think shrimp will be FANTASTIC in this! In fact, now I want to try it that way myself. Great idea, Angela. Definitely come back and let me know how it turns out 🙂
I am going to make a confession … Over the last couple years you have converted me to the “snack” lunches. Instead of full meals I have begun taking combos of cottage cheese, a clementine, chips and dip, and olives with me to work. And I love it. However, that has nothing to do with this recipe, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It reminded me of fried rice but tasted like Mediterranean food. Great job.
Snack Lunches FTW!