Savory Jollof Rice with Chicken and Bell Peppers
A one-pot Nigerian classic featuring tender chicken simmered in a vibrant tomato-pepper base, served over fragrant rice with a hint of smoky depth. This Nigerian-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, tomato paste, diced tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cups diced tomatoes
- 2 bell peppers
- 1 large onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp ginger
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 cups long-grain rice
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 2 cups water
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Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large chopped onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, sautéing until golden, about 5 minutes.
- Step 2: Add 2 diced bell peppers (1 red, 1 green) and 1 tbsp minced ginger, cook for 3 minutes until softened.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Step 4: Add 2 cups diced tomatoes, 1 tsp thyme, 1 tsp curry powder, and 1.5 lbs chicken thighs (skin-on, bone-in). Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Step 5: Pour in 1 cup chicken broth and 2 cups water, then add 2 cups long-grain rice. Stir to combine.
- Step 6: Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.








