How To Make Nigerian Jollof Rice

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Here’s how to make Nigerian Jollof rice. You only need rice, tomato stew, and seasonings to savor Nigeria’s party rice at home! Best enjoyed with chicken.

Nigerian Jollof rice is the glue that brings people of all ages together. It is the ultimate fusion of tomato stew, Nigerian curry, herbs, and parboiled long-grain rice.

The distinct smoky taste and mouthwatering aroma are impossible to resist.

With its bold color and flavor explosion in every spoonful, Jollof rice owns the title of Nigeria’s party rice for a reason!

With this easy Nigerian Jollof rice recipe, you’ll understand why Nigerians have a huge thing for rice. While most cuisines consider it as a side dish, Nigerian Jollof is worthy of being the main dish.

Taste and see for yourself why Jollof rice can even replace barbecue for main events!

What Is Jollof Rice?

Do not mistake Jollof rice for Nigerian fried rice, which by the way, is another delicious Nigerian rice recipe you shouldn’t miss (you can try our super easy recipe and compare it with Nigerian Jollof to see which one you like better. 😉)

But back to our Nigerian Jollof rice recipe, its foundation for the mouthwatering smokey, savory flavor with just the right kick is the tomato stew.

It’s also the reason behind the rice’s bold, dark orange, reddish color.

Once you have your tomato stew, making the rest of the dish is straightforward.

Nigerian Jollof rice has perhaps hundreds of different interpretations, and the favorite amongst Nigerians is the smoky rice cooked on a wood fire.

Of course, not everyone can do that method conveniently, so here’s the good news:

Continue reading below, and you can achieve the iconic smoky flavor of authentic Nigerian jollof rice wherever you are.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Rice is more than just a side dish. Here are why you’ll love Nigerian Jollof:

• Easy: The ingredients and tools you’ll need to whip up the beloved Nigerian Jollof rice are pretty basic. And the method? You only need your stovetop, and we also included the easy oven method!
• Filling: It’s unsurprising that Jollof rice is a West African staple. It’s a rice dish that doesn’t need accompaniments to satisfy your hunger and flavor cravings! (But if you want a hearty meal, we’ve also listed the best pairings for Nigerian Jollof. 😋)
• Versatile: The symphony of flavors and textures in each spoonful of Jollof rice makes this dish enjoyable even on its own. But because it’s such a simple recipe, it’s also customizable and you can add your favorite vegetables and proteins!

What Does Jollof Rice Taste Like?

Nigerian Jollof rice is so tasty that it’s the type of rice you can serve at a gathering.

It’s rich, savory, and smoky, with just the right kick to make it addictive. 

Personally, I love rice dishes that are not mushy (sorry Congee fans), so I find the grainy Nigerian Jollof a joy to eat. 

Because it’s a one-pot dish cooked slowly, all the flavors from the tomato stew, seasonings, herbs, spices, and chicken have fused together perfectly.

You’ll get an incredibly inviting aroma in the kitchen, and the resulting vibrant orange-red rice makes the perfect centerpiece to any table.

Is Nigerian Jollof Healthy?

Nigerian Jollof is healthy because of its ingredients. First, you’ll get one of the best foods to eat for fuel source: rice.

And the vegetables?

Jollof contains tomatoes that are good for the heart, bell peppers packed with antioxidants, and onions are sources of vitamins C and B6! 

You can also enjoy Nigerian Jollof rice with different meats, but we’re using chicken for a boost of protein. 

What Are The Benefits Of This Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe?

If our talk about Nigeria’s party rice has you salivating, you can never go wrong with this Nigerian Jollof rice recipe.

It’s easy and includes the tips and tricks to ensure your Jollof rice will come out flavorful and perfectly cooked. No mushy rice here!

Nigerian Jollof is a beginner cook-friendly dish; you don’t need special tools and ingredients to savor a flavorful rice dish at home.

The vibrant, tasty, and comforting dish can be eaten for lunch, dinner, or even parties.

I dare you to find a rice dish that’s more versatile than Jollof rice!

Ingredients For Nigerian Jollof Rice

• Long-grain parboiled rice – For the best-tasting Nigerian Jollof, use parboiled rice so you won’t end up with mushy Jollof rice. Here’s how to cook parboiled rice easily.
• Tomato stew – We’ll blend plum tomatoes for our stew to give it a deep flavor and a mouthwatering red-orange color.
• Onions – Creates a delectable savory base for the Jollof rice. 🤤
• Whole chicken – You can also use just the drumsticks or chicken breast. It’s up to you if you like your chicken for the Jollof rice grilled or fried. 
• Corn – Add your favorite veggies to customize your Nigerian Jollof rice. 
• Carrot – Carrots easily go well with the rest of our ingredients in this Jollof rice recipe. It’s packed with nutrients too!
• Green beans – For color and texture variation. Using different veggies creates richer, more wholesome Jollof rice. 
• Peas – I know some people don’t like peas, so feel free to omit this. 
• Green pepper – Healthy and tasty, especially with tomatoes in our Nigerian Jollof.
• Red pepper – You can also blend red peppers with tomato puree for the stew. 
• Habanero pepper – Gives our Nigerian Jollof rice kick. Some also use Scotch Bonnet pepper!
• Knorr cubes – For additional flavor.
• Curry powder – We used Nigerian curry powder, but Jamaican curry powder works too. 
• Thyme – Goes well with our other spices to create a well-rounded, good-tasting Jollof rice.
• Salt – To season your dish as needed. 
• Pepper – Black pepper and white pepper can create a delicious smoky flavor on the Jollof rice.
• Vegetable oil – To highlight the flavors in your Jollof rice, make sure to use any neutral oil. 

Tools Needed To Prepare Nigerian Jollof

• Blender for blending the tomatoes
• Knife for slicing the ingredients
• Saucepan for cooking the Jollof rice

Ingredient Additions & Substitutions For Jollof Rice

Basmati rice

Use any long-grain rice when making Nigerian Jollof rice. We used basmati, but you can also cook Jasmine rice for this recipe.

The secret is to cook your rice just enough not to be soft or crunchy. Check this technique on how to cook parboiled rice! 

Plum tomatoes

Plum tomatoes are our top pick for this Nigerian Jollof rice recipe’s stew because they are soft and sweet. You can also substitute them with Roma tomatoes. 

Do not use tomatoes that are too watery or have too many seeds! 

Nutmeg

Want to give your Nigerian rice dish a more interesting and unique taste? Try making it with a teaspoon of nutmeg! 

How to Make Nigerian Jollof Rice

Ingredients:

• 3 ¾ cups long-grain parboiled rice
• 3 cups tomato stew
• 2 onions
• 1 whole chicken
• 1 pc corn
• 2 pcs carrot
• ¼ cup green beans
• ¼ cup peas
• ½ green pepper
• ½ red pepper
• 1 habanero pepper (optional)
• 3 Knorr cubes (or Maggi cubes)
• 2 tsp curry powder (Nigerian or Jamaican curry powder)
• 2 tsp thyme
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Vegetable oil

Tools you need:

• Blender
• Knife
• Saucepan

Instructions:

STEP 1: Blend the tomatoes, habanero pepper, and onion.

STEP 2: Cut the chicken into chunks and cook the chicken however you like (you can grill or fry the chicken.)

STEP 3: Add the tomato mixture over the chicken in the pan.

STEP 4: Season with Knorr cubes, chopped onions, salt, pepper, curry powder, and thyme. Bring to a boil for 20 to 25 minutes to reduce and let the flavors come out.

STEP 5: Broil or bake the stewed chicken in the oven or leave it in the pan with the sauce.

STEP 6: Rinse your rice and add to the pan. Cook for 10 minutes over medium heat.

STEP 7: Add the vegetables, chopped onion, vegetable oil, salt, pepper, thyme, curry powder, and seasoning cubes. Cook on medium heat until the liquid dries up, usually around 15 minutes.

STEP 8: Alternatively, you can also do your Jollof rice in the oven preheated to 350ºF.

STEP 9: Stir the blended tomatoes, chicken, and vegetable oil together in a pan. Cover with a lid, or the rice will dry out.

STEP 10: Cook in the oven for 30 to 45 minutes. You can stir halfway through and add some water if needed.

STEP 11: Remove from the oven and stir to mix evenly. Serve hot.

What To Serve With Nigerian Jollof

Nigerian Jollof rice is tasty and satisfying on its own, but it’s also versatile and can be enjoyed with different dishes.

Serve Jollof rice with chicken (like what we did in this recipe), goat meat, beef, or fish for a hearty lunch or dinner. 😋

But if you’re already making Nigerian Jollof, why not try other Nigerian dishes with it?

Our easy but delicious moi moi recipe and Nigerian salad will be perfect for the flavorful Nigerian Jollof rice! 

Tips About Making Nigerian Jollof Rice

Avoid Jollof rice that looks like mashed potatoes with these tips:

• Always rinse your parboiled rice in cold water before using it immediately with the other ingredients. This will remove the excess starch and also prevents overcooking the rice. 
• You can spread your rice in a flat dish to speed up its cooling, then use a paper towel to blot the excess water.
• Use enough oil on your tomato stew to keep the tomatoes and onions from burning. Remember that the water will evaporate during cooking!
• Make your Jollof rice even tastier with bay leaves and parsley! You might also love the dish with chunks of smoked fish for a more traditional flavor.

How To Store Jollof Rice

Got leftovers or want to make Nigerian Jollof in advance? It actually stores well:

• Fridge: Transfer your cooled Nigerian Jollof rice to an airtight container and refrigerate. Consume within 4 days for the best experience. 
• Freezer: Make sure your Jollof rice has cooled down completely before freezing in a secured container for up to 3 months. 
• Reheating:  You can conveniently reheat your frozen Nigerian Jollof rice in the microwave. Heat on high for 4 minutes, then do 1-minute intervals until the rice is heated through. 

What Is The Secret Ingredient In Jollof Rice?

Want to make an impressive Jollof rice even on the first try? Satisfy your cravings for the smoky party Jollof rice by adding a dash of this product to your rice.

No need to set off your smoke alarm! 😉

Which Is Better Ghana Or Nigeria Jollof Rice?

Of course, Naija Jollof. But I’m biased!

The simpler Nigerian Jollof rice with long-grain parboiled rice is super addictive, but let me know your opinion. Are you team Ghanaian Jollof or Nigerian Jollof? 

FAQ About Jollof Rice

Conclusion

With this simple yet divine Nigerian fried rice recipe, you will unleash your inner Nigerian party animal!

All jokes aside, this spicy, smoky, tasty rice is an amazing comfort food. Enjoy it on its own or with any African stew or grilled meat.

Let us know what you ate with your Jollof rice in the comments down below.

Loved this Nigerian Jollof rice recipe? Treat yourself to delicious recipes like these:

• From Scratch: How to Make a Simple, Delicious Nigerian Moi Moi
• Fried Rice so Good, You’ll Ask For It Every Time
• Try This Delicious Nigerian Chapman Cocktail
• Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
• Delicious Instant Pot Spaghetti Bolognese