Jollof Rice with Chicken a Nigerian Recipe (2024)

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Jollof Rice is a one-pot delicious Nigerian dish. You can skip the chicken and still enjoy flavorful, perfectly cooked rice, which you can serve alongside any grilled meat. There are different versions of this dish, because it got popular in various countries like Ghana and Cameroon, and they have added their own touch to it. Watch the video tutorial in this post and learn how to make this classic African dish!

this recipe

What is Jollof Rice?

The Jollof Rice Recipe I’m sharing today is simple and straight forward! I have added baked chicken, but you can skip the chicken or replace it with fish. This African delight consists of fluffy rice that’s full of fantastic flavor coming from warm spices and vegetables like bell pepper, onion, and garlic.

Jollof rice is perfect for parties and can be a delicious quick dinner.

Jollof Rice with Chicken a Nigerian Recipe (2)

Ingredients in Jollof rice

There is a list of ingredients, but fortunately, they are all available in stores, and you might be using them already.

Onion and tomato.

Ginger and garlic.

Carrot and bell pepper.

Oil and butter.

A few warm spices like turmeric, thyme, and curry.

Rice.

Water.

Chicken. You can use a whole chicken or your favorite parts.

Jollof Rice with Chicken a Nigerian Recipe (3)

How to make Jollof Rice with chicken?

First, you have to bake the chicken and for that, wash and cut the chicken. Season, the chicken with the spices mentioned in the recipe below. Lightly sprinkle the chicken with oil, cover the chicken with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 25 minutes. Keep aside.

In a blender, add the tomatoes, bell pepper, ginger, and garlic and blend until smooth, then keep it aside.

Fry the onion and carrot, and when the onion is translucent, add the pureed tomato and bell pepper. Stir for few minutes and then add the spices and salt.

Later add the tomato paste, water, butter, and chicken bouillon. When the water boils, add the soaked rice and top it with the baked chicken.

Cover the pan and cook until the rice is done.

(More details in the recipe card below.)

Jollof Rice with Chicken a Nigerian Recipe (4)

Can I use store-bought Rotisserie chicken?

Of course! The rice is full of flavor; it will make the chicken tastes even better.

Can I use short grain rice?

Short grain rice tastes delicious in this jollof rice recipe. Try not to use brown rice since it will take a longer time to cook, and that might dry the chicken.

Other recipes call for hot pepper how come this recipe doesn’t?

It is a personal preference; you can add hot pepper if you wish.

What to serve with Jollof rice?

Jamaican Brown Chicken Stew.

Chili Chicken Fry.

Roast Chicken.

📖 Recipe

Jollof Rice with Chicken a Nigerian Recipe (5)

Jollof Rice With Chicken

Flavorful and perfectly cooked rice,which you can serve alongside any grilled meat.

4.55 from 20 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main

Cuisine: African

Keyword: Jollof Rice

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 450kcal

Author: Muna

Ingredients

  • 1 medium chopped onion
  • 1 medium tomato chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1- inch fresh ginger
  • 1 medium carrot chopped
  • ¼ bell pepper
  • 1 cube chicken bouillon
  • 1 ½ tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoon oil
  • 2 cups of water
  • 1 cup long-grain rice washed and soaked for 20 minutes
  • ½ teaspoon curry powder
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • ½ teaspoon thyme or oregano
  • 1 tablespoon butter

FOR THE CHICKEN

  • 1 whole chicken cut in half
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

  • Rub the chicken with the mixed spices from both sides. Sprinkle the chicken with a small amount of oil.

  • Cover the chicken with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven of 400F/200C for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 25 minutes.

  • In a blender, add tomato, bell pepper, ginger, garlic, and blend well.

  • In a pan, heat two-tablespoon oil and then add the onion and carrot. Stir for three minutes on medium-high heat until the onion is translucent.

  • Add the tomato and bell pepper mixture to the fried onion and stir until the oil separates.

  • Add all the spices and stir for two minutes.

  • Add the tomato paste and stir for a minute. Add the water and let it come to a boil. Check if you need more salt at this stage.

  • Add the butter and chicken bouillon and stir for a minute. Cover and let it come to a boil.

  • Add the rice and stir for a few seconds; when it comes to a boil, add the cooked chicken—cover and cook for 15 to 17 minutes.

  • Turn off the heat and keep the pan covered for another 10 minutes.

  • Serve hot with your favorite salad on the side.

Video

Notes

  1. Instead of chicken bouillon, you can omit the water and use 2 cups of chicken stock.
  2. If you wish to use short-grain rice, soak it for 15 minutes only.
  3. When using a pressure cooker, do not soak the rice and use 1 and half cup water or stock instead of 2. Close the pressure cooker’s lid and cook on high heat until you hear a whistle. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 30 seconds, then turn off the heat. Allow the pressure to be released naturally; this will cook the rice evenly.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcal

Did You Make This Recipe?Please let me know how you liked it! Tage me @MunatyCooking

Jollof Rice with Chicken a Nigerian Recipe (6)

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Jollof Rice with Chicken a Nigerian Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret ingredient in jollof rice? ›

Tomato paste is the secret to the signature reddy Jollof Rice colour. So, for every 3 cups of Jollof rice, you'll need 3 Red Bell Peppers, 2 Small Tomatoes and 70g of tomato paste.

What do Nigerians eat with jollof rice? ›

This traditional Nigerian dish brings out the best possible flavor of rice and chicken. Chicken is first sauteed on the stove top to produce a wonderful aromatic base for the rice. For an extra special and authentic touch, serve jollof rice with fried plantains.

What is the difference between Ghana jollof and Nigerian jollof? ›

Jollof rice from Nigeria is renowned for having a tasty blend of tomatoes, peppers, and different spices. Jollof rice from Ghana, on the other hand, has a distinctive flavor that frequently combines a harmony of flavors with a definite smokiness from the cooking process.

What are the 2 types of jollof rice? ›

Two other kinds of Jollof are popular, Party and Native Jollof. Party Jollof, also called Party rice, is imbued with smoky flavors and commonly cooked outdoors, over firewood.

Which spice is good for Jollof rice? ›

Cook the pureed mixture in a pot with hot cooking oil over medium-high heat. Stir together and place a lid over it, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in the spices and seasonings (Paprika, thyme, nutmeg, bay leaf, and salt), then add the rice and vegetable or meat stock and stir together.

What is the importance of butter in Jollof rice? ›

While the white pepper and bay leaf give your Jollof rice a prominent flavour and taste, butter gives it a rich look and taste. Jollof rice needs steam and not liquid to cook perfectly. You'll need to trap in as much heat as you possibly can to achieve the perfect consistency.

What spices are in jollof rice in Nigeria? ›

Red Onions: Just like peppers and tomatoes, onions are a staple for many Nigerian sauces. Particularly red onions for their rich flavour and aroma. Seasoning (type A): Salt, dried thyme, curry powder and Maggi cubes were the basic seasonings in most traditional Jollof recipes.

Which is the best jollof rice in the world? ›

UNESCO however pronounced Senegal's Ceebu Jen as the best, adding that the dish is part of their cultural heritage and settling several years of debate. Jollof rice has become part of the people's way of life.

Is jollof rice Jamaican or Nigerian? ›

The dish's origins are traced to Senegal. Regional variations are a source of competition between the countries of West Africa, and in particular Nigeria and Ghana, over whose version is the best; in the 2010s this developed into a friendly rivalry known as the "Jollof Wars".

What is Nigeria's national dish? ›

Jollof rice is Nigeria's national dish that is believed to be the origin of the popular Cajun dish known as jambalaya. The other name for the dish is benachin, meaning one pot in the native language of the Wolof people who created it.

Is jollof rice wet or dry? ›

There is this untold battle between Nigerians and Ghanaians on whose jollof rice is better. The Ghanians tend to have a softer and mushier rice; while the Nigerians enjoy their version steamed, a little dry and in single grains.

Which is better Ghana or Nigerian jollof rice? ›

Ghanaian Jollof rice is often fluffier and less moist than Nigerian Jollof rice, which tends to have a softer texture. Both versions of Jollof rice are delicious and have unique flavors and characteristics. The debate over who makes the best jollof rice is a matter of personal taste and preference.

Why is my jollof rice tasteless? ›

You are not using enough tomato/pepper blend

You blend 2 pieces of tomatoes, 1 chili pepper, 1 red bell pepper and half an onion and hope to make enough rice for a small wedding. Ko le werk. The key to an awesome Jollof rice experience is that each grain of rice is saturated in the delicious Jollof sauce.

Why is my jollof rice not red? ›

A tip is to make sure the pepper is more than raw tomatoes used. Using more raw tomatoes will water down the colour of your Jollof rice. Tomato purée is the secret to the signature red Jollof colour. Substitute the rest of the needed tomatoes for tomato purée.

Why is margarine added to jollof rice? ›

Margarine is quite important for the texture of the. Nigerian Jollof rice. Although, it's not compulsory.

How to add smoky flavor to jollof rice? ›

Lerato's tips: “The smoked paprika is a cheat to add the smoky flavour that is typically achieved through cooking on firewood or coals. I love adding vegetables to jollof – raid your fridge for leftovers.” “Jollof rice is at its best cooked low and slow for perfectly plumped grains.

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