Party Favourite – Nigerian Fried Rice

Party Favourite – Nigerian Fried Rice

Party Favourite – Nigerian Fried Rice

WHAT'S SPECIAL!

A spicy flavourful one pot rice recipe perfect for meal prep or parties!

This Nigerian Fried Rice is a super tasty rice dish that you will fall in love with. It is spicy, fragrant and full of yummy ingredients. The recipe is pretty straightforward and easy to follow. This is the perfect one pot rice dish to serve at your next party. Cook ahead of time and impress your guests with this fragrant and tasty dish!

nigerian fried rice

What is Nigerian Fried Rice?

Nigerian Fried Rice is a super delicious one pot rice dish (you do have to parboil the rice first shhhh). It is spicy and full of flavour and the steps are pretty straightforward. Nigerian’s love rice it is a staple in most Nigerian homes. We often eat it plain with soups, stews and curries or we have one pot rice dishes such as Jollof Rice and Fried Rice.

Fried rice is a party favourite for Nigerian’s and it really is impossible not to like. If you like rice and spicy food you will love this rice. Nigerian Fried Rice is traditionally served with roasted meat or fish. Like lots of Nigerian dished you will also find it often served with a side of Fried Plantain.

The first step is to parboil the rice. The rinsed cold rice is then poured into mixed diced vegetables and meats that have been sautéed in hot oil. The rice is then left to steam until the grains are yellow, round and fluffy! If you have ever been to a Nigerian party and have seen some delicious looking yellow rice this is it! Be sure to give it a try or better still scroll down and save this recipe to try at home yourself!

plated nigerian fried rice

What do i need?

  • Long grain rice is the traditional and best rice to use for this recipe. It cooks at the right pace and absorbs the flavours of your vegetable mix beautifully.
  • The seasonings in this rice are very important to get the colour and flavour right. You will need curry powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, thyme, mixed herbs and all purpose powder.
  • Chicken stock, chicken cube or chicken stock powder can all be used. You will need 300ml of water.
  • The colourful vegetable mix is comprised of carrots, peas, red and green bell pepper and onion.
  • Last but certainly not least you will need 1 cup of small prawns. I use frozen medium Atlantic prawns from Lidl. Check for them in the freezer isle!
chopped carrots, peppers, onions, peas and prawns

Tips & Tricks

  • To parboil the rice use cold water, as soon as the water starts boiling drain and rinse the rice with cold water to stop the rice overcooking.
  • Once you have added the water to the fried rice, place a piece of foil over the top of the pot before securing the lid down. This will help to contain the steam while the rice is cooking.
  • Love crispy browned rice? 5 minutes before the rice is done, turn the heat to medium/high and leave to brown for 5-10 minutes. Keep your nose and ear out!
  • Leave the rice alone to steam for at least 20 minutes before removing the lid to stir and check the rice. Try to do this no more than twice and your rice will turn out perfectly!
  • If you want really bright yellow rice add a pinch of turmeric to the rice when you parboil.
fried rice in plate and wok

Nigerian Fried Rice Serving Suggestions –

This rice is a great side dish that can be paired with literally anything you like! Today I have eaten it with these insanely delicious Chilli and Coriander Lamb Leg Steaks. My favourite way to eat it is with some juicy spicy roast chicken, try my Cayenne Roast Chicken recipe. To finalise your perfect plate add some Sweet Fried Plantain and enjoy!

Nigerian Fried Rice

Daniel Devereux
A delicious, spicy and fragrant one pot rice dish full of flavour!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish
Cuisine Nigerian
Servings 6 servings

Equipment

  • Deep pot or lidded wok
  • Pasta pot
  • Chopping board
  • Sharp knife
  • Wooden spoon
  • Spatula

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups long grain rice
  • 1 cup peas
  • 1 cup medium prawns
  • 1 red pepper diced
  • 1 green pepper diced
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 1 cup diced carrots
  • 1 scotch bonnet
  • 1 tbsp curry
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • ½ tsp thyme
  • ½ tsp mixed herbs
  • 1 tsp all purpose powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 300 ml chicken stock or water

Instructions
 

  • To parboil your rice, measure rice into a pasta pot, add cold water and cover. Add a pinch of turmeric for extra yellow rice! Allow water to come to the boil (about 10 minutes) then drain, rinse with cold water and set aside.
  • Dice the chilli, onion, carrots and bell peppers into small cubes. Add the diced vegetables to a large bowl and add peas, small prawns and all the dry seasonings.
  • Combine everything together with a spatula and set aside.
  • Heat a deep pot or wok with vegetable oil and heat until smoking. Throw in the rice mix and sauté for approx 10 minutes or until some liquid has begun to gather at the bottom of the pot.
  • Add the rinsed cooked rice to the pot and mix to combine well. When the rice is properly combined add 300ml of water or chicken stock. Add a crushed chicken stock cube to a little hot water if not using stock.
  • Stir and cover the rice with a piece of foil before securing the lid in place. Turn the heat to low and leave to steam for 20 minutes.
  • After 20 minutes open, stir and check the rice. Add a little water if needed and recover and leave to steam for a further 15-20 minutes.
  • Water should be dry and rice should be ready after 20 minutes. For a crispy brown bottom recover and turn the heat to high and leave to brown for about 7-10 minutes.

Notes

Tip – For extra yellow rice add a pinch of turmeric to the parboiled rice. Have some chicken breast or leftover chicken in the fridge pan fry it and add it to the mix for a more protein packed rice. 
Keyword one pot, Party food, Rice, Spicy

Did you make this recipe?

Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @chilliandlife on Instagram and hashtag it #chilliandlife

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