Big fried rice flavour, minimal effort, ingredients you probably already have – and no standing over the stove!
I’ve started leaning on this recipe for those nights when I’m tired, the kids are hungry and I don’t have much left in the tank. Some evenings the idea of cooking just feels like a lot. With this dish, everything goes into the oven in one pan and just works. The chorizo melts down, renders and gets crispy and golden, and the oils flavour the entire tray of rice so you don’t need much else. There’s no standing at the stove, no constant stirring, and no juggling multiple pans. Even the eggs cook right there in the oven. I love that this recipe uses ingredients I usually have on hand, and barely involves any chopping.
The finished texture: fluffy rice, crispy chorizo, tender veggies and soft egg all in one bite. Comforting, satisfying and made with minimal effort.
It’s also budget-friendly. Based on the way I make it, this Baked Chorizo Fried Rice recipe works out to roughly $4–$5 per serve. Freezer veggies keep costs down and the chorizo brings big flavour without needing much of it. The recipe will only be as good as the chorizo you choose, so try and select a quality one that you love. My kids absolutely love it (fried rice energy always wins), and I love that I can make it feel a little more special for us with a drizzle of chilli oil or crispy chilli oil and a squeeze of lemon at the end.
This is the recipe I reach for on busy workdays, sports nights, or when I just need dinner fast with minimal thinking. It’s a filling meal made with simple ingredients, and the leftovers are just as good the next day – warm or cold – which makes it perfect for school or work lunchboxes too!
A drizzle of chilli oil or crispy chilli oil is an easy way to make this feel a little more special for adults, while keeping it kid-friendly underneath.
A full tray bake (sheet-pan dinner) turned into a delicious, filling meal. This can be eaten straight away while warm, or cooled and packed up for lunches the next day.
What else can I add to this fried rice?
Frozen peas and corn are quick-cooking, but you can absolutely add other vegetables. Just keep everything chopped fairly small so it cooks evenly and doesn’t overwhelm the tray (as this will stop the chorizo crisping up and veggies cooking properly.)
Carrot, capsicum or broccoli (finely diced) – Add these with the chorizo at the start so they soften as the chorizo renders. Make sure everything is spaced out so the tray isn’t overcrowded and steamy – steam will stop the chorizo from becoming golden and crispy. Cook for an extra 5 minutes with the chorizo.
Thinly sliced zucchini (courgette) or mushrooms – Add these when you add the rice, as they release moisture and don’t need much time. Cook for an extra 5 minutes with the rice.
Frozen edamame, sliced green beans or fresh baby spinach – Add these at the same time as the peas and corn. No extra cook time needed.
If you’re adding a lot of extra vegetables overall, give the tray a quick check at the end – it may need a few extra minutes to make sure everything is tender and properly heated through.
Everything you need for this baked chorizo fried rice: olive oil, chorizo, garlic, frozen peas, frozen corn, microwave long-grain rice, eggs, tamari, spring onions (scallions), plus crispy chilli oil (optional), fried shallots and lemon wedges to serve. Simple pantry and freezer staples that come together into a fast, budget-friendly dinner.
Can I make this on the stovetop instead?
Yes! Heat a large deep heavy-based pan over medium heat and cook the chorizo for 5–6 minutes until golden and the oils have rendered. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the vegetables and cook for 2–3 minutes, then add the rice and break it up as you stir. Push the rice mixture to one side of the pan. Pour the eggs into the empty side and cook for 1–2 minutes until just set, then stir through the rice. Add the tamari and spring onion (scallion), cook for a further 1 minute, then remove from the heat and serve.
The chorizo goes into the tray first with a little olive oil. This step is key – starting it on its own allows the fat to render properly, which is what flavours the entire dish later.
Halfway through baking, the chorizo should be releasing its oils and starting to turn golden around the edges. This is exactly what you want – those oils are what give the rice its big, savoury flavour.
Once the rice, vegetables and egg are stirred through, everything is coated in the chorizo oil. No constant stirring, no stress – just a quick mix!
Push the rice to one side of the tray and pour the egg into the empty space. Cooking the egg directly in the oven keeps this recipe truly hands-off and avoids extra pans.
When the egg is just set, break it up gently with a spatula and stir it through the rice. You’re looking for soft, golden pieces – not overcooked or dry egg.
The finished baked chorizo fried rice straight from the oven. One pan, minimal prep, no hovering over the stove – and leftovers that refrigerate well for up to 2 days.
What else can I serve with Baked Chorizo Fried Rice?
Steamed or sautéed greens – Think bok choy, broccoli, broccolini (tenderstem broccoli), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), snow peas (mange tout) or sugar snap peas.
Simple Asian-inspired salad or slaw – A quick cabbage or cucumber salad with a light soy and sesame dressing.
Spring rolls or dumplings – The freezer type are a fuss-free way to make this feel like a bigger meal.
Fresh crunchy veggies on the side – Carrots, bean sprouts or sliced cucumber serve as a quick, cooling side.
This dish holds up beautifully – whether you’re serving it straight from the oven or scooping leftovers cold or reheated from the fridge.
If you enjoyed Baked Chorizo Fried Rice, I think you’ll love:
This Baked Chorizo Fried Rice recipe is a low-effort, oven-baked, one-pan dinner that delivers big flavour with minimal prep. The chorizo does all the heavy lifting, the oven takes care of the cooking, and everything comes together using simple pantry and freezer staples. It’s budget-friendly, kid-approved, perfect for busy nights – and the leftovers make a great lunch the next day, warm or cold.
Prep 5 minutesmins
Cook 17 minutesmins
Total 22 minutesmins
Servings: 4
Ingredients
RICE
1tbspolive oil
2chorizo, sliced (check the brand you use is gluten-free if needed)
1tbspfreshly minced garlic
155g(1cup)frozen peas
150g(1cup)frozen corn kernels
450g(1lb)packet microwave long-grain rice (see note 1)
4eggs, lightly beaten
2tsptamari
3spring onions (scallions), thinly sliced
TO SERVE
Crispy chilli oil (optional)
Crispy fried shallots
Lemon wedges
Instructions
(keeps your screen active)
Preheat the oven – Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F) (200°C/400°F) fan-forced. (See note 2 if you would prefer to cook this on the stovetop.)
Cook the chorizo – Add the olive oil and chorizo to a large oven-safe, non-stick baking tray. Toss to coat, then bake for 10 minutes, or until the chorizo has rendered and started to crisp, turning once halfway through.
Add the garlic – Carefully remove the hot tray from the oven. Add the garlic and stir for at least 30 seconds.
Add the vegetables and rice – Add the peas, corn and rice. Break up the rice with your spatula and stir to combine. Bake for a further 5 minutes.
Add the egg – Carefully remove the tray from the oven. Use your spatula to push the rice mixture to one side. Add the eggs to the empty side. Bake for a further 2 minutes, or until the egg is set.
Seasoning and spring onion – Stir through the tamari and spring onion, reserving one-third of the spring onion for garnish.
Finish and serve – Serve with an extra sprinkling of spring onion, crispy chilli oil, if using, fried shallots and lemon wedges.
Nutrition information
Nutrition Facts
Baked Chorizo Fried Rice
Amount per Serving
Calories
874
% Daily Value*
Fat
33
g
51
%
Saturated Fat
11
g
69
%
Trans Fat
0.02
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
5
g
Cholesterol
226
mg
75
%
Sodium
243
mg
11
%
Potassium
409
mg
12
%
Carbohydrates
105
g
35
%
Fiber
5
g
21
%
Sugar
4
g
4
%
Protein
34
g
68
%
Vitamin A
1076
IU
22
%
Vitamin C
20
mg
24
%
Calcium
79
mg
8
%
Iron
5
mg
28
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Note 1 – Use any microwave rice of choice (including brown rice). If using freshly cooked rice, add it at the end, at the same time as the tamari and spring onion (scallion).Note 2 – To cook on the stovetop, heat a large deep heavy-based pan over medium heat and cook the chorizo for 5–6 minutes until golden and the oils have rendered. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the vegetables and cook for 2–3 minutes, then add the rice and break it up as you stir. Push the rice mixture to one side of the pan. Pour the eggs into the empty side and cook for 1–2 minutes until just set, then stir through the rice. Add the tamari and spring onion (scallion), cook for a further 1 minute, then remove from the heat and serve.
Make Ahead
See leftover instructions below.
Leftovers
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave. Not suitable to freeze.
Recipe source:
Thank you to Kim Coverdale for your help developing this recipe.
Hi Nicole. What tray do you use for this recipe and also the honey soy chicken tray bake recipe? Is it the scan pan classic large roaster that’s mentioned in your kitchen equipment blog?
I’m curious about it being “not suitable to freeze”. I freeze rice-based dishes on a regular basis and they work fine. Is there a reason why this is not to be frozen?
Hi Kim! Great question 😊 You absolutely can freeze rice-based dishes, and if that’s worked well for you, go for it. I just don’t recommend it for this one because the texture isn’t quite the same once reheated – the rice can dry out a little and the chorizo loses some of its bite. It’s still safe to freeze, just more of a quality thing than anything else. Nic x
Amazing!!!! Thank you for this banger! Doesn’t even feel like you’re cooking. Already in rotation because I’ve made it 3 times!! I used brown rice too as it’s what I had and it was equally as delicious as the white.
For recipes labelled ‘gluten-free’ or ‘dairy-free’, the ingredients included in the recipe are typically gluten- or dairy-free. However, it is the user’s responsibility to carefully check the ingredient panels on the specific brands of products purchased and used. Simple Home Edit cannot be held responsible for any adverse reactions.
Eilidh says:
Minimal preparation, super simple and delicious. Will definitely be making this again!
Nicole says:
Just what I love to hear, Eilidh! Thanks for the rating. too. 🧡 Nic x
Emma Phelan says:
Delicious! Perfect for a quick lunch, so tasty and easy to make
Nicole says:
So happy you enjoyed this, Emma! Thanks also for the rating. 🧡 Nic x
Tania says:
Hi Nicole. What tray do you use for this recipe and also the honey soy chicken tray bake recipe? Is it the scan pan classic large roaster that’s mentioned in your kitchen equipment blog?
Nicole says:
Hi Tania, yep, it’s the Classic Large Roaster. 🧡 Nic x
Kim says:
I’m curious about it being “not suitable to freeze”. I freeze rice-based dishes on a regular basis and they work fine. Is there a reason why this is not to be frozen?
Nicole says:
Hi Kim! Great question 😊 You absolutely can freeze rice-based dishes, and if that’s worked well for you, go for it. I just don’t recommend it for this one because the texture isn’t quite the same once reheated – the rice can dry out a little and the chorizo loses some of its bite. It’s still safe to freeze, just more of a quality thing than anything else. Nic x
Michelle says:
Just beyond delicious!
So easy, small amount of ingredients ( very important to me) and it’s a whole meal… another epic yesss from me!!
Nicole says:
Thanks for this brilliant feedback, Michelle! So happy you enjoyed it and thanks for the rating. 🥰 Nic x
Amie says:
Amazing!!!! Thank you for this banger! Doesn’t even feel like you’re cooking. Already in rotation because I’ve made it 3 times!! I used brown rice too as it’s what I had and it was equally as delicious as the white.
Nicole says:
Wow, Amie, so excited you’ve already made this three times!!! 🙌🏻 🥰 Really great to hear that brown rice worked. Thanks for the rating too. ❤️ Nic x
Barbara Hall says:
Looks stunning is this recipe in your new book
Nicole says:
Hi Barbara, glad you like the look of this! No, this one isn’t in my last book. Thanks for the rating, ❤️ Nic x