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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.
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.
Chicken. You can use a whole chicken or your favorite parts.
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.)
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
Flavorful and perfectly cooked rice,which you can serve alongside any grilled meat.
1cuplong-grain ricewashed and soaked for 20 minutes
½teaspooncurry powder
½teaspoonturmeric powder
½teaspoonthyme or oregano
1tablespoonbutter
FOR THE CHICKEN
1whole chicken cut in half
1teaspoonblack pepper
½teaspoonturmeric
1teaspooncurry powder
1teaspoonpaprika
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
Instead of chicken bouillon, you can omit the water and use 2 cups of chicken stock.
If you wish to use short-grain rice, soak it for 15 minutes only.
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
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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.
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.
As a Nigerian, I can say that aside from the taste and flavour, a beautiful thing about the Nigerian Jollof rice dish is how it varies. From the classic Jollof to party style Jollof and a recent favourite that is basmati Jollof and more. This recipe is the more common and classic recipe, used by most home cooks.
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.
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.
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.
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.
It takes time to get the right consistency of the fried stew for Jollof rice. After frying your stew, it should look a little dark and dry before adding your rice to the mix. Errm I cannot stress it any more than I do already. Your rice should not come out dripping with water or stew.
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.
Nigerian Jollof is a stewed base rice dish made with three main ingredients: rice, tomato/pepper- stew base, and African-style seasonings like curry powder, dried thyme, and chicken stock.
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.
Jollof rice is believed to have originated from the Wolof people in Senegal and Gambia. It has since evolved into variations found across the African continent, but at its core it's stewed rice in a concentrated broth of tomatoes, onions, curry powder, and peppers.
When made properly, jollof is honestly delicious all on its own but is still technically a side dish. Serve it with fried plantains and a protein like chicken stew or goat meat or even suya shrimps.
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.
My favourite wines to pair with Jollof are sparkling / dry white wines and sweet reds. Roses work well too. Some recommendations for White? Prosecco, Champagne; and reds?
A fine mix of spices, peppers, tomatoes and the star player: Rice. Across Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Cameroon, Senegal, Guinea, Bissau and Gambia, African families depend on Jollof rice for nutritional and dietary needs. Research shows that families in Nigeria consume jollof at least once a week.
Introduction: My name is Francesca Jacobs Ret, I am a innocent, super, beautiful, charming, lucky, gentle, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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