A delicious and vibrant West African dish, Nigerian Jollof Rice with Chicken is a one-pot meal bursting with flavors of tomatoes, onions, and spices, served with tender chicken pieces.
Preparation time
45min
Cooking time
1h
Ingredients
6 Servings
- 1 bay leaf
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 carrots
- 6 chicken drumsticks
- 500 ml chicken stock
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 400 g fresh tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp ginger
- 100 g green peas
- 500 g long grain parboiled rice
- 1 onion
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper
- 1 tsp thyme
- 70 g tomato paste
- 120 ml vegetable oil
Directions
Step 1
Season the chicken drumsticks with salt, black pepper, and half of the curry powder and thyme. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Step 2
Heat half of the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Fry the chicken drumsticks until they are golden brown on all sides, then remove and set aside.
Step 3
In the same pot, add the remaining oil and sauté the chopped onion until translucent.
Step 4
Add the minced garlic and grated ginger and sauté for another minute.
Step 5
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Step 6
Add the blended fresh tomatoes and red bell pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes until the sauce thickens and the oil begins to separate from the tomato mixture.
Step 7
Add the chicken stock, bay leaf, remaining thyme, curry powder, and salt. Stir well to combine.
Step 8
Pour in the parboiled rice and mix thoroughly with the sauce.
Step 9
Add the fried chicken drumsticks back into the pot, placing them on top of the rice.
Step 10
Cover the pot with foil and then the lid to trap the steam and cook on low heat for about 30-35 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and the liquid has been absorbed.
Step 11
If using, add the diced carrots, green peas, and chopped scotch bonnet pepper during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
Step 12
Stir the rice gently to mix the vegetables and chicken evenly. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
Step 13
Serve the Jollof rice hot with the chicken drumsticks on the side.