This easy fried rice with ham and vegetables is a practical way to turn plain cooked rice into a complete dish. It uses everyday ingredients and comes together quickly, which makes it perfect for busy days or for using leftover rice. The result is a colorful, flavorful and very flexible rice dish.
What is arroz chau chau?
easy fried rice with ham is a simple fried rice dish inspired by Asian-style cooking, made with cooked rice, eggs and small vegetables. The ingredients are quickly tossed in a skillet or wok, creating a lightly golden, aromatic mix.
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Why you will love this recipe
- Quick recipe, ready in about 30 minutes.
- A great way to use day-old cooked rice.
- Balanced mix of eggs, ham and vegetables.
- Light texture with plenty of savory flavor.
- Works as a simple meal or a side dish.
- Easy to customize with other ingredients.
Ingredients and substitutions
The ingredients in this fried rice create a simple, practical and flavorful combination. Cooked rice works as a neutral base, letting the other ingredients bring in aroma and texture. The vegetables add color and freshness, the ham brings a lightly salty flavor, and the eggs add softness and make the dish feel more complete. Together, they create a quick, versatile recipe for everyday meals.
- Cooked white rice: the base of the recipe, giving the dish a loose texture and mild flavor.
- Diced ham: adds savory flavor and a light smoky note.
- Cooked peas: add color, gentle sweetness and texture contrast.
- Diced cooked carrot: brings gentle crunch, color and balance.
- Eggs: add softness and make the rice more satisfying.
- Olive oil: used to sauté the ingredients.
- Black pepper: boosts the flavor of the dish.
- Salt: adjusts the final seasoning.
- Possible substitutions: swap the ham for shredded chicken, pan-seared tofu or sautéed mushrooms.
See the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the exact amounts.
How to prepare the eggs for fried rice
The eggs are cooked separately before being mixed into the rice. First, whisk them lightly until smooth. Then cook them quickly in a hot skillet with a small drizzle of olive oil. Once they form soft scrambled pieces, set them aside and add them back to the rice at the end.
How to make it
- Whisk the eggs: whisk the eggs until smooth.
- Cook the scrambled eggs: heat a skillet with a small drizzle of olive oil and add the eggs.
- Season and finish the eggs: season with black pepper and stir until soft small pieces form.
- Sauté the ham: in the same skillet, heat a little olive oil and sauté the diced ham.
- Toss the rice and vegetables: add the peas, carrot and cooked rice. Stir well.
- Fold in the eggs: add the reserved eggs and stir until combined.
- Adjust and serve: adjust the salt, toss briefly and serve right away.
Tip: finish with chopped green onions for a fresh touch.
Variations
This fried rice is very versatile, so it is easy to adapt. Small ingredient changes can completely shift the final flavor, which means you can make new versions using what you already have at home.
- With shredded chicken: replace the ham with cooked shredded chicken. The dish becomes a little lighter while keeping a satisfying texture.
- Vegetarian version: replace the ham with sautéed mushrooms or cubed tofu. The rice stays flavorful without the meat.
- With soy sauce: add a small splash of soy sauce at the end. It gives the rice a deeper, more savory flavor.
- With shrimp: add small sautéed shrimp to the rice. This makes the recipe feel a little more special for a quick dinner.
Tools and equipment
A few basic tools make this fried rice easy to prepare. The right equipment helps with cooking the eggs, sautéing the ingredients and mixing the rice evenly, so the process is faster and the final texture is better.
- Large skillet: used to cook the eggs and toss all the ingredients evenly.
- Spatula or wooden spoon: ideal for stirring the rice and vegetables without breaking up the grains.
- Mixing bowl: used to whisk the eggs before adding them to the skillet.
- Whisk: helps mix the eggs quickly until smooth.
- Measuring cup: makes it easier to measure the rice and vegetables accurately.
In my shop, you will find kitchen tools and equipment I use at home.
Storage
Store the fried rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, use a skillet with a small drizzle of olive oil to bring back the texture. Avoid reheating it several times so the flavor and quality stay better.
Tips
A few simple tips help keep this fried rice fluffy, flavorful and balanced. Small cooking techniques make a real difference in the final texture, helping the ingredients mix well and giving the dish that classic fried rice feel.
- Use cold rice: choose rice that was cooked earlier and chilled. The grains stay looser and do not clump as much in the skillet.
- Cut ingredients small: keep the pieces similar in size so everything mixes evenly.
- Cook the eggs separately: cooking the eggs before adding them to the rice prevents excess moisture and keeps the texture right.
- Toss quickly in the skillet: use quick movements to heat everything through without breaking the rice grains.
- Season at the end: taste the rice after all the ingredients are mixed in, then adjust the salt more accurately.
Frequently asked questions
Sim, porém o arroz frio fica mais solto e absorve melhor os sabores.
Não é recomendado, pois os ovos e legumes podem perder textura após descongelar.
Sim. Milho, pimentão ou cebolinha funcionam muito bem nesta receita.
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Recipe
Easy Fried Rice with Ham and Vegetables
Equipment
- 1 Large skillet
- 1 Spatula or wooden spoon
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Measuring cup
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups cooked white rice preferably cold
- 5 oz ham diced
- 1 cup peas cooked or thawed
- 1 cup carrot diced and cooked
- 2 eggs
- olive oil as needed
- black pepper to taste
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Start by whisking the eggs in a mixing bowl until smooth. Then heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a small drizzle of olive oil.
- Pour the beaten eggs into the hot skillet and season with black pepper to taste. Gently stir until soft scrambled egg pieces form. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add another small drizzle of olive oil and add the diced ham. Sauté for a few minutes, until it begins to brown lightly.
- Add the cooked peas, diced cooked carrot and cooked white rice. Stir well, tossing constantly, until everything is heated through.
- Return the eggs to the skillet and stir again to combine. Adjust the salt, toss briefly and serve right away.
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