• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Recipe Index
  • Food Plus Words
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
Food Plus Words

Food Plus Words

Simple Food. Tantalizing Taste.

Home / Main Dishes / How To Make Nigerian Jollof Rice

How To Make Nigerian Jollof Rice

This post may contain affiliate links which means I will get a commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure for details.

9shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Otherwise known as Nigeria’s party rice, Nigerian Jollof Rice is the gluing agent that brings people of all ages together. It is the ultimate fusion of spicy tomato broth, Nigerian curry, dried herbs, and parboiled long-grained rice. The smell and the distinct smoky taste are impossible to look past.

Nigerian Jollof Rice at its best
Nigerian Jollof Rice indeed does look like a party scene on its own

Nigerian cuisine has a huge thing for rice. What Western kitchens consider as a side dish is considered the main course here. Some rice meals, like Nigerian Jollof Rice, can even go as far as replacing barbecue and braai for main events. It isn’t called Nigeria’s party rice for nothing. 

So, how is it different from Nigerian fried rice? The main difference is the tomato broth that forms not only the foundation of its unique flavor but also its dark orange color. The broth is easy to cook, but you will probably see different variations for this part of the recipe.

Nigerian Jollof Rice with Chicken
The tomato stew is the real star of the distinct color in your jollof rice.

In our version, we are putting our fresh tomatoes through a food processor or a blender to generate a smooth tomato stew.

Once you have your tomato stew, the rest is straightforward. Cook your rice in the tomato stew with your stock, vegetables of your choice, and maybe even a few shreds of smoked fish (like mackerel or croaker).

Nigerian Jollof Rice Tomato Stew

Nigerian Jollof Rice has perhaps hundreds of different interpretations, and the favorite amongst Nigerians is the smoky rice cooked on woodfire. Of course, not everyone gets to escape into nature every weekend.

The good news is, you can accomplish that same smoky flavor from the comfort of your own kitchen. We will also mention some tricks about that.

On to the recipe!

Yield: 6 servings

Nigerian Jollof Rice

Nigerian jollof rice cooked to perfection

Nigerian Jollof Rice is the highlight of every Nigerian celebration with its smoky and spicy tomato stew rich in vegetables and crisp rice grains.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3¾ cups (750g) long-grain parboiled rice
  • 2-3 cups Tomato Stew
  • Chicken (whole chicken, drumsticks, or chicken breast)
  • Pepper and salt (to taste)
  • 2 medium onions
  • 3 Knorr cubes
  • 2 teaspoons thyme
  • 2 teaspoons curry powder (Nigerian curry powder)
  • 2 cups mixed vegetables containing corn, carrots, green beans, and peas
  • 1/2 bulb red pepper
  • 1/2 bulb green pepper
  • 1 habanero pepper (optional)
  • Vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Blend the fresh tomatoes, one onion, and habanero pepper in a blender.

    Chicken for Nigerian Jollof Rice
  2. If chicken is too large, cut into chunks and cook. Add your blended tomato mixture over the chicken. Add one or two Knorr cubes, chopped onions, salt, 2 tablespoon curry powder, and thyme. Bring to a boil for 20 - 25 minutes. The goal is to reduce the mixture to let the flavors come out.


    Nigerian Jollof Rice Tomato Stew
  3. Remove stewed chicken, broil or bake in the oven or leave in a saucepan with the tomato sauce.


  4. Measure out your Jasmine rice. Rinse and add into the cooking pot. 

  5. Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes.

  6. Add chopped and mixed vegetables, shrimps, freshly chopped onion, seasoning cubes, curry powder, thyme, vegetable oil, and salt. For a kick, add one or two bay leaves and a dash of parsley. For a more traditional flavor, add small chunks of smoked fish.

  7. Cook on medium heat until the water dries up roughly another 10-15 minutes.


    Notes

    Having difficulty achieving the perfect rice consistency that does not look like mashed potatoes? Preheat your oven to 350ºF, add all your ingredients including the blended tomatoes, chicken, and vegetable oil. Stir, replace the lid (the rice will dry out too quickly without the lid on), and place in the oven. Cook for 30-45 minutes. It’s ok to stir the content midway through the cooking process and add some water if needed. Once cooked, remove from the oven. Stir to evenly mix the rice and vegetable. Serve hot!

    Recommended Products

    As a member of affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

    • Toaster Oven 4 Slice, Multi-function Stainless Steel Finish with Timer
      Toaster Oven 4 Slice, Multi-function Stainless Steel Finish with Timer
    • Utopia Kitchen 2 Quart Nonstick Saucepan with Glass
      Utopia Kitchen 2 Quart Nonstick Saucepan with Glass
    • Ninja BL685 Professional Kitchen System 1200-watts with Auto-iQ
      Ninja BL685 Professional Kitchen System 1200-watts with Auto-iQ

    Nutrition Information:

    Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 381Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 195mgCarbohydrates: 58gFiber: 9gSugar: 13gProtein: 22g
    © Food Plus Words
    Cuisine: Nigerian / Category: Main Dishes

    Tips About the Tomato Stew In Nigerian Jollof Rice

    The most crucial thing about the tomato stew is, you guessed it, the choice of tomato. In this recipe, we are using fresh plum tomatoes because they have a sweeter and softer taste compared to other types.

    Also, other tomato types contain too much water or too many seeds for our stew, while plum tomatoes are the fleshiest. The next best choice would be Roma tomatoes.

    Nigerian Jollof Rice Tomato Stew

    Then, we have the tomato paste, which helps to deepen the flavor and the red color. Depending on where you live, you will find tomato puree or paste in different densities. If you are using an almost solid paste, you should add a bit of water to make it softer and prevent it from burning.

    The thick paste should be added later along with the onions. On the other hand, if you are using a more watery tomato puree, you should cook it in the beginning along with the fresh tomato blend. 

    Alternatively, you can replace tomato paste/puree with more blended tomatoes, or blended red bell peppers even.

    Chicken for Nigerian Jollof Rice

    The type and amount of oil you use will also determine the success of your Nigerian tomato stew. Vegetable oil is the perfect choice for frying the tomato blend, which gives the rice its slightly smoky flavor. When it comes to making tomato stew, you can never use too much oil.

    The problem with adding very little oil is that you run the risk of burning your onions and tomatoes, especially after the water content has evaporated. That said, you can always drain excess oil in the end.

    Tips About Cooking The Rice

    The secret to a perfect texture in Nigerian Jollof Rice is to use parboiled rice, which you can make prior to the main cooking steps. This will prevent burning or sogginess.

    You can use basmati or jasmine rice, but always remember to follow the correct rice: water ratio. Then, you constantly need to check the softness. The rice shouldn’t be rock hard and crunchy, but also shouldn’t boil to the point of fluffiness. About half the time you need for complete cooking should suffice.

    Nigerian jollof rice cooked to perfection

    The last step is the most crucial, which is to dip your rice in cold water. Never mix the hot rice with the other ingredients, or you will end up overcooking the rice.

    Other Tips

    • One key to obtaining a smoky flavor is to use black pepper and white pepper when seasoning.
    • To make your Nigerian Jollof Rice richer, you can add mixed vegetables. Our recipe calls for corn, carrots, green beans, and pea, but you are the boss here.
    • The best companion of Nigerian Jollof Rice is fried chicken. You can use chicken breasts, thighs, or drumsticks. The method of cooking is up to you, whether it is grilling or frying.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Nigerian Jollof Rice

    How to dry out overcooked jollof rice?

    It’s okay; everybody makes mistakes. When you realize your rice is becoming soggy, remove the rice from the stove right away, and place it in a fridge shelf (but keep the door open) until it cools down. Then, you can spread the rice on a wide tray and throw it in the oven to evaporate the excess water.

    Is jollof rice healthy?

    Nigerian Jollof Rice is like an all-star league of nutrients. The tomato and pepper bring on vitamins C, A, K, and B, while the onion is a great source of potassium and vitamins B and C. In addition, by parboiling the rice, you are preserving the rich mineral content of the rice that contains iron, magnesium, and phosphorus. 

    What to eat with jollof rice?

    There are plenty of dishes you can eat with Nigerian jollof rice, such as beef or goat stew, chicken stow, grilled chicken, and even shrimp! There are no limitations here.

    Can I cook jollof rice in a rice cooker?

    Absolutely! You just have to follow the instructions for cooking the rice, and let the final product rest for 10 minutes before opening the lid.

    How to make tasty Nigerian 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 fried rice is an amazing form of comfort food and is so essential that any African stew or grilled meat would be left an orphan without it. Let us know what you ate with your jollof rice in the comments down below.

    Loved this Nigerian jollof rice recipe? Here are some similar recipes you might want to try out:

    • Nigerian Fried Rice
    • Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
    • Delicious Instant Pot Spaghetti Bolognese
    • Shrimp Pad Thai with Stir Fry Sauce

    Related Posts:

    • Nigerian Fried Rice Recipe (With Tips from a Nigerian Cook)
    • Best Chocolate Fountains for Parties
    • Best Nacho Cheese Fountains
    • Nigerian Chapman Cocktail: Nigeria's National Drink
    Previous Post: « Nigerian Chapman Cocktail: Nigeria’s National Drink
    Next Post: Mouth-Watering Nigerian Moi Moi (Moin Moin) Recipe »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Hey! It is nice to meet you!

    Hi! I’m Louisa: a pharmacist, fashion blogger, and major foodie. Influenced by my African heritage and curiosity about food, you’ll find me cooking flavorful dishes from Nigeria and beyond.

    NEVER MISS A POST

    • Email
    • Pinterest
    • RSS

    Archives

    Search by Category

    Get Fresh Recipes

    Subscribe below to receive new posts via email:

    Footer

    • Email
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Email
    • Pinterest
    • RSS

    Copyright © 2021 · Privacy Policy. Thyme Theme by Restored 316