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Nigerian Jollof Rice

This chicken and rice dish is popular in Nigeria. It is reminiscent of Creole rice which is more familiar to North Americans. The recipe doubles well if you want to make a big batch.
Serves: 8
Prep Time: 30 min
Cook Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
½ lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch (2.5 cm) pieces
1 cup onions, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp red hot chili peppers, diced
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 carrots, medium, diced into ½-inch pieces
½ green peppers, medium, diced into ½-inch pieces
4 oz green beans, fresh
4 oz brown mushrooms, sliced
2 tomatoes, large
1 ½ tbsp tomato paste
⅛ tsp salt
2 cups long grain brown rice , dry
8 leaves lettuce
¼ cup cilantro, minced
1 egg, medium, hard boiled

Food Safety

Before you start, wash all surfaces and your hands with soap and warm water, and remember to wash your hands, utensils and cutting boards after they touch raw meat or eggs. Avoid cross-contamination by using a different cutting board for your meat and other ingredients. Make sure you’re cooking to safe temperatures and chilling any leftovers within two hours. For more food safety tips, visit our Food Safety at Home Section.

Steps

  1. Heat olive oil in a heavy bottom pot. Cut boneless, skinless chicken breast into ½ inch (1.25 cm) pieces. Add to hot oil and sauté until golden brown.

  2. Push to one side and add the diced onion, minced garlic and red hot chile pepper (optional) and sauté a few minutes until softened.

  3. Add the chicken broth, cover and simmer on low heat while you prepare the vegetables.

  4. Dice the carrots and green pepper into ½ inch (1.25 cm) pieces. Slice green beans into 1 inch (2.5 cm) pieces. Slice the mushrooms. Add to the chicken and broth mixture and stir.

  5. Dice the fresh tomatoes. Add to the pot with the tomato paste and salt, cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer.

  6. Finally, stir in the uncooked rice. Cover and simmer slowly on low heat 45 minutes or until rice is tender. It may be necessary to sprinkle additional broth or water to help the rice cook. Use small amounts as needed. Stir along the way so the rice doesn’t stick.

  7. To serve, line a serving platter with lettuce leaves. Mound rice down centre piled high. Garnish with minced cilantro and slices of hard cooked egg.

Helpful Tip

If you want a gluten-free version make sure you use a gluten-free chicken broth.

Nutrition Info

Per 300 g serving Amount
Calories280
Protein15 g
Fat5 g
Saturated Fat1.5 g
Carbohydrate46 g
Fibre4 g
Sugar5 g
Cholesterol45 mg
Sodium120 mg
Per 300 g serving % Daily Value
Potassium19
Calcium4
Iron10
Vitamin A8
Vitamin C40
Vitamin B633
Vitamin B1216
Folate12
Zinc19