I never skip this.

Its chewy and crispy and tender in ways that make just one more bite an irresistible option.

It takes all of 15 minutes to cook and satisfies the most ardent hunger pangs.

Bowl of fried rice at a table setting with utensils, table napkins, and more bowls of rice

Simply Recipes / Lisa Lin

Fried rice also makes good use of any random vegetables or proteins you might have lingering in the fridge.

Lisa LinsChicken Fried Riceis my ride-or-die recipe.

I will never stray from my devotion and its because of one simple seasoning upgrade:Chinese five spice.

Jar of Chinese 5 Spice

Simply Recipes / Lori Rice

Simply Recipes / Lori Rice

What Is Chinese Five Spice?

Case in point: This fried rice.

Why Add Chinese Five Spice To Fried Rice?

For the longest time, I felt like my homemade versions of fried rice fell short of my expectations.

They were solidly fine but never made me crave a repeat.

Lisas recipe changed all that.

Lisa says this spice is optional when making her recipe, but I beg to differ.

Stir it all together so the rice is evenly coated.

As the rice warms, it will absorb the flavor and become evenly seasoned.