Nigerian jollof-style chicken rice

The Family KitchenNigerian jollof-style chicken rice

Nigeria · Jollof-inspired · Nigeria

Nigerian jollof-style chicken rice

Tomato rice cooked with tender chicken, carrot and sweet pepper. Keep the chilli out of the child pot and serve the flavours in clear, familiar sections.

18 minPreparation
38 minCooking
56 minTotal time
4Servings
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The Family Kitchen · Portions are a guide; appetite and needs vary.

Illustration of nigerian jollof-style chicken rice
AI-generated serving illustration

For 4 servings

What you’ll need

Allergens
Check stock and canned tomato labels. Naturally dairy-free and egg-free as written.

One step at a time

Let’s make it

  1. Warm oil in a heavy saucepan and cook onion, capsicum and carrot for 6 minutes until soft.
  2. Stir in tomatoes, paprika and thyme. Cook for 8 minutes until thick and glossy.
  3. Add chicken, rice and stock. Cover and simmer gently for 22–25 minutes until rice is tender and chicken reaches 75°C; rest covered for 5 minutes.
  4. Fluff with a fork, taste and add salt only if needed. Keep chilli and pepper for adult portions.

Preparation and cooking times are estimates. Use the doneness checks in the method.

Make the texture work

Blend the pepper into the tomato base for a smooth sauce. Serve plain rice and chicken separately before offering the fully coloured bowl.

Season it properly

Tomato, paprika and thyme give a full savoury taste without chilli. Adults can add scotch bonnet, pepper or extra salt separately.

Simple swaps

Use turkey or chickpeas instead of chicken. Add peas at the end for extra colour and fibre.

Keep it safely

Cool rice within 2 hours, refrigerate for up to 24 hours and reheat once until steaming hot.

Food education

What the ingredients bring

These are practical food-group notes, not a laboratory nutrition analysis. Portions and brands change the numbers.

  • Chicken provides protein, iron and vitamin B6.
  • Rice supplies carbohydrate energy.
  • Tomato, capsicum and carrot add vitamin C, potassium and beta-carotene.
Before serving: adapt the size and texture to your child’s chewing skills, then let the meal be a relaxed family moment.

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