---
title: "Chilean Rice Omelette — Homemade Tortilla de Arroz Recipe"
description: "Versión en Español. Chilean tortilla de arroz is a thick omelette made by mixing 3 cups of cooked rice with 3 beaten eggs, grated cheese, chives, and oregano, cooking half the mixture in a skillet, la..."
url: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-rice-omelette-tortilla-de-arroz-recipe/
date: 2026-09-27
modified: 2026-09-27
author: "Carlos Uhart M."
image: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/chilean-rice-omelette-tortilla-de-arroz-featured.jpg
categories: ["Main Dishes"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# Chilean Rice Omelette — Homemade Tortilla de Arroz Recipe

[Versión en Español](https://comidaschilenas.com/receta-de-tortilla-de-arroz/)

![Chilean tortilla de arroz, a golden rice and egg omelette filled with ham and cheese](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/chilean-rice-omelette-tortilla-de-arroz-featured.jpg)*Homemade Chilean tortilla de arroz*

Chilean tortilla de arroz is a thick omelette made by mixing 3 cups of cooked rice with 3 beaten eggs, grated cheese, chives, and oregano, cooking half the mixture in a skillet, layering ham and mantecoso cheese, covering with the rest, and flipping it with a plate to brown both sides. It takes 15 minutes of preparation plus 15 minutes of cooking and serves 4 people.

It is one of the classic Chilean ways to use leftover rice, so simple and tasty that it is worth cooking rice just for it.

## How to Make a Chilean Rice Omelette?

The tortilla is usually made with leftover rice so nothing goes to waste. The rice is bound with egg and cheese, filled with ham and cheese, and cooked on both sides until golden.

## Nutritional Information

Each serving of rice omelette contains approximately 250 kcal, 30 g of carbohydrates, 10 g of fat, 12 g of protein, 1 g of fiber, 2 g of sugars, 100 mg of cholesterol, and 300 mg of sodium. These values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portion sizes.

## Homemade Chilean Tortilla de Arroz Recipe

**Preparation:** 15 minutes
**Cooking:** 15 minutes
**Servings:** 4 people

### Ingredients

- 3 cups of cooked rice
- 80 g (3/4 cup) of grated cheese
- 3 large eggs
- 2 slices of cooked ham
- 2 slices of mantecoso cheese
- 1 tablespoon of chopped chives
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Oregano
- Fine salt
- Black pepper

### Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, beaten eggs, grated cheese, chopped chives, and a teaspoon of oregano if you like. Season with salt and pepper and mix well.

![Rice for the Chilean rice omelette](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/raw-long-grain-rice-arroz-primavera.jpg)*Rice*

1. Heat a splash of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and pour in half of the mixture without stirring until it starts to set. Arrange the cheese and ham slices on top and cover with the rest of the mixture, making sure to cover the edges.

![Fresh eggs to bind the rice omelette](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Fresh-eggs.jpg)*Eggs*

1. Cook until the bottom is lightly golden, then place a flat round plate over the skillet, flip carefully, add a little more oil, and slide the tortilla back in to finish cooking. Cut into wedges and serve hot, on its own or with fresh salads.

![Sliced ham for the omelette filling](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/sliced-cooked-ham-rollitos.jpg)*Ham*

## Additional Tips

### Change the filling

Replace the ham and cheese with bacon, serrano ham, or goat cheese, even if the rice was already seasoned.

### Use a good nonstick pan

Let the base brown well before flipping, and use a plate slightly larger than the pan.

### Brown rice works too

Add an extra egg if you use brown rice, since it is firmer and binds less.

| Original ingredient | Substitute | Ratio | Flavor note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| White rice | Brown rice | 1:1 plus 1 egg | More fiber |
| Ham and cheese | Sautéed mushrooms and spinach | 1:1 | Vegetarian |
| Mantecoso cheese | Gouda or chanco | 1:1 | Similar melt |
| Chives | Scallions | 1:1 | Milder |

## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

### 1. Can I use brown rice?

Yes. It adds fiber, but add one extra egg since its firmer texture binds less.

### 2. How do I flip it without breaking it?

Use a nonstick pan, let the base brown well, and flip with a flat plate slightly larger than the pan.

### 3. What other fillings can I use?

Sautéed mushrooms, spinach, roasted peppers, tuna, shredded chicken, longaniza, or gouda, chanco, or blue cheese.

### 4. How long does it keep?

Up to 3 days refrigerated; reheat in the oven at 180 C (356 F) for 10 minutes or in a skillet over low heat.

## What Is Tortilla de Arroz?

Tortilla de arroz is a Chilean rice and egg omelette, a thrifty home dish made with leftover rice and filled with ham and cheese.

## Cooked and Reheated Rice

Cooked rice that cools develops resistant starch, which digests more slowly than freshly cooked rice.

## Did You Know?

Chile grows rice mainly in the Maule region, with smaller areas in Ñuble, where around 25,000 hectares are planted each year according to Chile’s agricultural office (ODEPA).

## Recommended

- [Chilean Rice with Fried Egg](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-rice-with-fried-egg-arroz-con-huevo-recipe/)
- [Chilean Lettuce Omelette](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-lettuce-omelette-tortilla-de-lechuga-recipe/)
- [Chilean Green Bean Omelette](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-green-bean-omelette-tortilla-de-porotos-verdes-recipe/)
- [Chilean Arroz Primavera](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-arroz-primavera-spring-vegetable-rice-recipe/)