Classic West African Jollof Rice with Chicken
Jollof Rice is a vibrant and flavorful dish celebrated across West Africa, known for its rich, smoky tomato base and aromatic spices. This one-pot meal can be made with succulent chicken, tender beef, or served vegetarian, allowing for a variety of delicious interpretations. Traditionally enjoyed at parties and gatherings, Jollof Rice is not just a meal but a cultural experience that brings people together around the table. With its bold flavors of spices, fresh tomatoes, and hearty ingredients like rice and protein, this dish is sure to delight your taste buds and nourish your soul.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chicken
4 pieces (Cut into serving pieces)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (As needed for seasoning)
Black Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (Freshly ground)
Vegetable Oil
1/4 cup (For frying)
Onion
1 medium (Peeled and finely chopped)
Salt Pork or Ham
1/4 lb (Cubed)
Beef Bouillon Cubes
2 (Dissolved in liquid)
Ground Red Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (To taste)
Dried Thyme
1/2 teaspoon (Or 1 sprig fresh thyme, crushed)
Water
1/2 cup (Plus 1-1/2 cups for kettle)
Tomato Paste
1 (6 ounce) can (As a base)
Uncooked Rice
1/4 cup (White rice, rinsed)
Vegetables
2 cups (Fresh tomatoes or string beans, chopped)
Instructions
1
Begin by seasoning the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. Set aside to marinate for a few minutes.
2
In a large frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat for about 4 to 5 minutes until hot.
3
Carefully add the seasoned chicken to the pan and brown on both sides until golden. Once browned, remove the chicken and transfer it to a kettle.
4
In the same frying pan, add the chopped onions along with the cubed salt pork or ham. Sauté until the onions become translucent, stirring occasionally.
5
Once the onions are ready, transfer the onion and pork mixture to the kettle with the chicken.
6
Retain the oil in the frying pan for the next steps. Add the beef bouillon cubes, ground red pepper, thyme, 1-1/2 cups of water, and the tomato paste to the kettle. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
7
Allow the mixture to simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes to blend the flavors.
8
Next, add the uncooked rice to the frying pan, stirring it to coat with the remaining oil. This step helps to toast the rice slightly.
9
Then, add the rice and your choice of vegetables (such as tomatoes or string beans) to the kettle. Stir everything together to ensure even distribution.
10
Cover the kettle and cook over low heat for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid, and the vegetables are soft.
11
Once cooked, fluff the Jollof Rice with a fork before serving. Enjoy your delicious, aromatic dish with friends and family!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Classic West African Jollof Rice?
Jollof Rice is a vibrant and flavorful dish celebrated across West Africa, known for its rich, smoky tomato base and aromatic spices.
What protein can be used in Jollof Rice?
This recipe features succulent chicken, but it can also be made with tender beef or served as a vegetarian dish.
How should I prepare the chicken for this recipe?
Season 4 pieces of chicken with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper before marinating for a few minutes.
What type of oil is used for frying?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of vegetable oil.
How long should I heat the oil before browning the chicken?
Heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat for about 4 to 5 minutes until it is hot.
What is the first step in cooking the chicken?
Brown the seasoned chicken on both sides in hot oil until golden, then transfer it to a kettle.
How should the onion be prepared?
Use 1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped.
What is the purpose of adding salt pork or ham?
Adding 1/4 lb of cubed salt pork or ham provides extra savory depth and flavor to the onion mixture.
How do I know when the onions are ready?
Sauté the chopped onions and pork together until the onions become translucent.
What seasonings are added to the kettle?
Add 2 beef bouillon cubes, 1/4 teaspoon of ground red pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme to the mixture.
How much tomato paste is required?
One 6-ounce can of tomato paste is used as the base for the rice.
How long should the base mixture simmer?
Allow the chicken, onions, spices, and tomato paste mixture to simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes.
Do I need to toast the rice?
Yes, add the uncooked rice to the frying pan with remaining oil and stir to coat, which helps toast the rice slightly.
What kind of rice is suggested?
The recipe specifies 1/4 cup of uncooked white rice, rinsed.
What vegetables are included in this recipe?
You can use 2 cups of chopped fresh tomatoes or string beans.
How much total water is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of water plus an additional 1-1/2 cups for the kettle.
What is the total cooking time for the rice?
Cover the kettle and cook over low heat for 35 to 40 minutes.
How do I know the Jollof Rice is finished cooking?
The dish is ready when the rice is tender, all liquid has been absorbed, and the vegetables are soft.
Should I stir the rice after cooking?
Yes, once cooked, fluff the Jollof Rice with a fork before serving.
Is Jollof Rice spicy?
Yes, it features bold flavors from ground red pepper and aromatic spices.
Can I use fresh thyme?
Yes, you can substitute the dried thyme with 1 sprig of crushed fresh thyme.
Is this a one-pot meal?
Yes, it is considered a one-pot meal where all ingredients eventually cook together in a kettle.
What are the cultural roots of this dish?
Jollof Rice is a cultural experience across West Africa, traditionally enjoyed at parties and gatherings.
Can I substitute the chicken with beef?
Yes, the recipe allows for tender beef to be used as a protein substitute.
How many servings does this recipe make?
The exact serving count is not specified, but it uses 4 chicken pieces and 1/4 cup of rice.
What heat level should be used to brown the chicken?
The chicken should be browned over medium-high heat.
What heat level should be used to simmer the rice?
The rice should be simmered over low heat.
Why is the rice rinsed?
The recipe calls for rinsed white rice, which helps remove excess starch.
Can I add more vegetables?
The recipe suggests 2 cups of vegetables like tomatoes or string beans for variety.
How is the bouillon prepared?
The 2 beef bouillon cubes should be dissolved in the liquid within the kettle.