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Jollof Rice With Chicken

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A vibrant, flavorful West African one-pot dish featuring seasoned chicken and long-grain rice simmered in a rich, aromatic tomato and pepper sauce. Smoky, savory, and deeply comforting.

Ingredients

    • For the chicken marinade:
    • 6–8 chicken thighs or drumsticks
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 1/2 tsp black pepper
    • 1 tsp garlic powder
    • 1 tsp onion powder
    • 1 tsp paprika
    • 1 tsp thyme
    • 2 tbsp oil

 

  • For the jollof rice:
  • 2 cups long-grain parboiled rice (or basmati)
  • 2 red bell peppers
  • 2–3 tomatoes (fresh or 1 can diced)
  • 1 onion
  • 1 scotch bonnet or habanero (optional)
  • 3 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 tbsp grated ginger
  • 3–4 cups chicken broth or water
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp curry powder
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
  • 1/4 cup oil
  • 1 tbsp butter (optional)

Instructions

  1. Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, and oil. Marinate 30 minutes or overnight. Sear in a pot until browned; remove and set aside.
  2. Blend tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, and scotch bonnet until smooth.
  3. In the same pot, heat oil and sauté chopped onions. Add tomato paste and cook for a few minutes. Pour in blended mixture with garlic, ginger, curry powder, thyme, and bay leaf. Simmer 10–15 minutes until thickened.
  4. Rinse rice and stir into the sauce. Nestle chicken on top and add enough broth to just cover the rice. Bring to a simmer.
  5. Cover pot with foil and a lid, reduce heat to low, and cook 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. When rice is tender, fluff and rest a few minutes.
  6. Serve hot, optionally garnished with sliced onions or peppers. Pair with fried plantains or salad.

Notes

  • Use boneless chicken for faster cooking.
  • Add smoked paprika or cook over charcoal for smoky “party jollof.”
  • Stir in peas or green beans for added color and nutrition.
  • Finish in the oven if preferred — bake covered at 350°F for 30–35 minutes.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookedbymaya.com/jollof-rice-with-chicken/