Jollof Rice with Chicken

Jollof Rice with Chicken

Jollof Rice with Chicken

You don’t know what you’re missing until you’ve eaten rice that’s baked in the oven. Jollof rice with chicken is happens to be one of the most popular dishes all over West African countries; originating from Senegal. This is a great dish to make if you’re feeding a lot of people since it all is cooked in one baking dish. The rice is baked in a tomato broth with peas, carrots, onions, and garlic, with chicken pieces layed across the top. With baking rice in the oven, the outside develops a crust with the inside being moist and fluffy, absorbing the chicken juices. This is so good that having seconds is inevitable.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 40 minutes
Resting Time15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Cameroonian, Ghanaian, Liberian, Nigerian, Senegalese, Togolese
Keyword: Cameroonian, Chicken, Ghanaian, Liberian, main course, Nigerian, rice, Senegalese, Togolese, West African
Author: Alex Gorgos

Ingredients

Chicken Seasoning

  • 6 bone in chicken thighs
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp thyme
  • 1/2 tsp white pepper
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 tsp chicken bouillon powder
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Jollof Rice

  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 6 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 cups basmati rice washed
  • 15 oz canned tomato sauce puréed
  • 3 cups chicken stock
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp white pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup frozen peas and carrots

Instructions

  • Mix all of the chicken thigh seasoning ingredients together.
    West African, main course, chicken, rice
  • Season the chicken thighs. Make sure to season under the chicken skin.
    West African, main course, chicken, rice
  • Heat up cooking oil in a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Place the chicken thighs skin side down.
  • Brown the chicken for 5 minutes a side. Remove the chicken from the pan.
  • Mix all of the rice ingredients together in a 9” x 13” baking dish.
  • Place the chicken thighs on top of the rice. Cover the pan with foil. Place in a preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hour.
  • Remove from the oven.
  • Take the chicken off the top of the rice. Give the rice a stir. Place the chicken back on top of the rice and cook covered for another 30 minutes.
  • Take the pan out of the oven. Let rest for 15 minutes before serving.
Make a double batch to feed large gatherings.