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? ›

6) The Two Secret Ingredients:

White pepper is added along with the spices and seasoning while Butter is added at the end, say a few minutes to doneness. White pepper give Jollof rice its prominent flavour and taste while Butter gives it a rich look and taste.

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.

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.

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 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.

Why is my Jollof not tasty? ›

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.

What does butter do in Jollof rice? ›

White pepper and Bay leaves are added alongside spices and seasonings when frying the tomato puree, while butter is added at the end; a few minutes before the rice is ready. While the white pepper and bay leaf give your Jollof rice a prominent flavour and taste, butter gives it a rich look and taste.

What is the English name of jollof rice? ›

Jollof rice
Jollof rice with stew and garnish
Alternative namesBenachin, riz au gras, ceebu jën, zaamè
Main ingredientsRice, tomatoes and tomato paste, onions, chili peppers, cooking oil
Ingredients generally usedHerbs, spices, aromatics
VariationsVarious meat and seafood versions
5 more rows

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.

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.

What is the white stuff Nigerians eat with their food? ›

In Nigeria, fufu (akpu) is made solely from fermented cassava giving it its unique thickness compared to that found in other west African countries. It is eaten with a variety of soups with vegetables and lots of beef and fish.

What do you drink with jollof? ›

A dry German Riesling, with its high acidity and hint of sweetness, would be a great match for Jollof Rice. The wine's crisp acidity can cut through the dish's richness, while its slight sweetness can help tame the spiciness.

Which is better Ghana or Nigerian jollof rice? ›

Each country has its own unique style of preparing and seasoning jollof rice, and the debate over which is best largely comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer the spicier, tomato-based jollof rice from Nigeria, while others prefer the milder, smoky flavor of Ghanaian jollof rice.

What gives jollof rice its color? ›

Tomatoes give jollof rice its unique reddish colour. Fresh tomatoes are best used to prepare large quantities of jollof rice as they are cheaper than processed purees. Along with tomatoes, scotch bonnet also contributes to the colour of the rice.

What is the original jollof rice? ›

Jollof rice, originated in Senegal and spread across West Africa to become regional staple recipe where rice is simmered in a simple red stew. Traditionally, jollof is cooked over an open flame but is now commonly made on the stove top or even in the oven.

What does butter do in jollof rice? ›

White pepper and Bay leaves are added alongside spices and seasonings when frying the tomato puree, while butter is added at the end; a few minutes before the rice is ready. While the white pepper and bay leaf give your Jollof rice a prominent flavour and taste, butter gives it a rich look and taste.

What makes jollof rice different? ›

Unique Flavors of Jollof Rice

It is this diverse mix of spices, combined with a mastery of heat control, that gives the dish its signature taste. The tangy tomatoes, the spicy peppers, and the aromatic blend of herbs all contribute to the delectable its taste.

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