African Rice Dinner
Transform your weeknight meals with this vibrant and hearty African Rice Dinner, a one-pot dish bursting with bold flavors and wholesome ingredients. This recipe features tender, seared chicken thighs simmered to perfection with long-grain parboiled rice in an aromatic tomato-based broth infused with garlic, ginger, smoked paprika, curry powder, and thyme. Fresh vegetables like red bell pepper, carrots, and green peas add layers of color and nutrition, making every bite a satisfying delight. The secret lies in the slow cooking process that ensures the rice absorbs the rich chicken stock and spices for a deeply flavorful experience. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh scallions for a zesty crunch, this African-inspired recipe is both comforting and nutritious, perfect for family dinners or meal prep. Ready in just over an hour, it’s a soul-warming dish you’ll want to make again and again. Keywords: African Rice Dinner, one-pot meal, chicken and rice recipe, flavorful rice dish, easy dinner idea.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups long-grain parboiled rice
- 4 pieces chicken thighs (bone-in, skinless)
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 piece medium onion
- 3 pieces garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon ginger (fresh, grated)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups fresh tomatoes (chopped)
- 1 piece red bell pepper (chopped)
- 1 piece carrot (diced)
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon thyme (dried)
- 1 piece bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 cup green peas (frozen or fresh)
- 2 pieces scallions (chopped)
Instructions
Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Set aside to drain.
Season the chicken thighs with a pinch of salt and black pepper on all sides.
Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs until browned on both sides, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
Finely chop the onion, garlic, and ginger. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the pot and stir in the chopped onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
Add the garlic, ginger, tomato paste, smoked paprika, curry powder, and thyme. Stir well and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
Stir in the chopped fresh tomatoes, red bell pepper, and carrot. Let everything cook down for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
Pour in the chicken stock and bring the mixture to a simmer. Add the bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Return the seared chicken thighs to the pot and let them simmer for 10 minutes.
Stir in the drained rice, making sure it is evenly distributed in the liquid. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and let it cook for 25 minutes.
After 25 minutes, add the green peas and gently stir without disturbing the chicken too much. Cover again and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked and the liquid has been absorbed.
Turn off the heat and let the pot sit, covered, for 5 minutes. This helps the flavors meld together.
Remove the bay leaf, garnish with chopped scallions, and fluff the rice gently with a fork before serving.
Serve hot and enjoy your African Rice Dinner!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2310 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 101.0 g | 129% | |
| Saturated Fat | 18.2 g | 91% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 25.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 461 mg | 154% | |
| Sodium | 1605 mg | 70% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 169.6 g | 62% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 23.2 g | 83% | |
| Total Sugars | 35.0 g | ||
| Protein | 180.4 g | 361% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.5 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 317 mg | 24% | |
| Iron | 22.2 mg | 123% | |
| Potassium | 3156 mg | 67% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
