Arroz Chaufa Recipe: Peruvian Chicken Fried Rice 2026

Arroz chaufa is Peru's beloved chifa-style fried rice, a dish born from the meeting of Chinese immigrants and Peruvian kitchens. It brings together cold cooked rice, juicy chicken thigh, fresh ginger, onion and soy sauce, all tossed quickly in a hot wok so every grain picks up toasty sesame aroma. The result is comforting, deeply savory and on the table in about half an hour.

What makes this version so practical is that it is built almost entirely from ingredients you likely already have on hand. You cook the rice ahead, whisk a single egg into a thin omelet, and then fry everything in stages so each component keeps its texture. The ginger and sesame oil give it that unmistakable chifa character.

It is also wonderfully flexible. Swap the chicken for pork, sausage or shrimp, or pile in extra vegetables for a meat-free take. Either way, keep the rice cold and the wok hot, and you will get that classic fluffy, slightly smoky fried rice.

Serve it straight from the wok while it is steaming, finished with a scattering of fresh cilantro. It makes a satisfying main course on its own, or you can round it out with a simple salad or a few lime wedges on the side.

Ingredients for Arroz Chaufa

This makes 2 generous main-course servings.

• 150 g long-grain rice
• 50 g onion
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 200 g boneless, skinless chicken thigh
• 3 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 medium egg
• Salt
• 30 ml soy sauce
• Cilantro leaves

How to Make Arroz Chaufa Step by Step

1. Boil the rice

Bring a pot of water to a boil with 150 g of long-grain rice and cook for 10 minutes. Drain well and set aside, since you will use the rice cold in the stir-fry.

2. Chop the onion, ginger and chicken

Finely chop 50 g of onion and 1 tablespoon of ginger, if it is not already grated. Cut 200 g of chicken thigh into bite-sized cubes.

3. Make the omelet

Heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a pan and cook a thin omelet with 1 beaten medium egg and a little salt, tearing it into pieces as it sets. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

4. Brown the chicken and ginger

Heat another tablespoon of sesame oil in the same pan and brown the chicken with the ginger for 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

5. Sauté the onion

Add the remaining tablespoon of sesame oil to the pan and sauté the onion for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.

6. Fry the rice with soy sauce

Add the cooked rice to the pan, stir to fry it for a few minutes, then pour in 30 ml of soy sauce. Mix everything together thoroughly.

7. Add the remaining ingredients

Now add the reserved omelet and the chicken with ginger, along with a handful of chopped cilantro leaves. Stir so all the flavors come together.

8. Serve

Serve the arroz chaufa hot straight from the pan, with extra cilantro if you like.

Tips for the Best Arroz Chaufa

Customize the protein and vegetables

You can swap the chicken for pork, sausage or shrimp for a seafood version. For a vegetarian take, add more vegetables and leave out the meat; bell peppers, leeks or scallions all work well.

Keep grated ginger on hand

This dish needs only a small amount of grated fresh ginger. Buy a root, peel and grate it, then freeze in small portions so you can slice off what you need with a knife whenever a recipe calls for it.

Prep ahead and use a hot wok

Arroz chaufa comes together very quickly, so have everything chopped before you start frying. A wok is ideal because it lets you fry over high heat for a short time; sesame oil gives the classic aroma, though olive oil works if you do not have it.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a go-to rotation that covers cozy comfort plates, well-known dishes from around the world, and sweets that please a crowd.

When a rich, indulgent treat is what I'm after, my picks are usually this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I want something fruity and cozy, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I reach for.

Mornings and lighter plates call for these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple I can keep on hand, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the job.

Tapas and Mediterranean cooking are a mood I return to often, and I tend to cycle through this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, these crackly Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, a velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This chilled Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also makes the table when I feel like something a bit more elevated.

Come lunch or a slow dinner at home, I'm quick to suggest this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, a time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, a deep-flavored Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When hunger runs bigger, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street-food cravings and party spreads usually mean this saucy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, golden Salchipapas recipe, a punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These simple Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also work nicely as a light starter or snack.

And when guests are coming and drinks are part of the plan, dinner often gets paired with a cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a jug of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the spread, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe alongside, or ending with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of trying, tweaking, and remaking dishes in my own kitchen, I've come to see that the ones that stick around are built on straightforward steps, methods you can trust, and serious flavor.

What follows is the set of recipes I keep circling back to—whether it's a fast plate just for me or a bigger spread for the people I love.

On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I turn to when I want something that feels fancy without much fuss. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts comes in handy, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

For something light and uncomplicated, I'll usually reach for the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. And for heavier comfort plates, my usual picks are the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the velvety Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm just as happy sharing dishes with roots in other countries, like the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crunchy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and Spain's own Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another area I use all the time, since it cuts down on effort while still giving you excellent results. The ones I make most are Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a baked pasta classic can still be creamy, cheesy, and completely satisfying without any gluten.

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