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Arroz Chaufa

Peru’s beloved Chinese-style fried rice, tossed with chicken, egg, scallions, and ginger in a smoky soy sizzle — the taste of chifa on any night.

⏱ 20 minPrep time
🔥 15 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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Arroz Chaufa

Arroz chaufa is the cornerstone of chifa, Peru’s Chinese-Peruvian cuisine born from Cantonese immigrants in Lima. Day-old rice is wok-tossed with chicken, eggs, scallions, and a good pour of soy sauce until every grain is smoky and glossy.

The wok-tossed pride of Peruvian chifa

Each grain of rice is separate, shiny with soy and sesame, with charred edges where it kisses the wok. Bites of tender chicken, soft scrambled egg, and sharp scallion keep it lively from first forkful to last.

Get the rice right every time with our How to Cook Perfect Rice Every Time.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a wok over high heat until smoking, add the beaten eggs, and scramble them for 1 minute until just set; remove to a plate.
  2. Add another tablespoon of oil, sear the chicken cubes for 3 to 4 minutes until golden and cooked through, and remove to the plate with the eggs.
  3. Add the remaining oil, then the ginger, garlic, and scallion whites, and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add the cold rice and stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes, breaking up clumps, until the grains are hot and slightly toasted.
  5. Pour the soy sauce, sesame oil, and aji amarillo, if using, around the edge of the wok and toss to coat every grain.
  6. Return the chicken and eggs to the wok, add the peas and carrots and scallion greens, and toss for 1 minute until everything is hot.
  7. Season with salt and white pepper and serve immediately, piled high and steaming.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Cold, dry day-old rice is non-negotiable for the best texture — fresh rice turns sticky. Leftover chaufa keeps 2 days refrigerated and re-fries brilliantly in a screaming-hot pan.

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Recipe details

Prep20 min
Cook15 min
Servings4
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →