Spiced Nigerian Jollof-Inspired Chicken Bake

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A baked chicken dish infused with rich tomato and spice flavors reminiscent of Nigerian Jollof rice, simplified for an easy home-cooked meal. This african-inspired chicken ready in about 60 minutes pairs (about 2 lbs) bone-in chicken thighs, tomato paste, diced tomatoes (canned) for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 45 min Serves 6 African cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil over medium heat and sauté 1 medium finely chopped onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 medium diced red bell pepper for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 3 tbsp tomato paste, 1 cup canned diced tomatoes, 1 tbsp curry powder, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1 small minced scotch bonnet pepper (if using). Cook the sauce for 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens and the oil begins to separate.
  3. Step 3: Season 6 bone-in chicken thighs with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then nestle them into a baking dish.
  4. Step 4: Pour the prepared tomato-spice sauce over the chicken thighs and pour 1/2 cup chicken broth around the edges of the dish to keep the chicken moist.
  5. Step 5: Bake uncovered for 40 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce bubbles around the edges.
  6. Step 6: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with steamed rice or your favorite sides.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Nigerian Jollof-Inspired Chicken Bake take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Spiced Nigerian Jollof-Inspired Chicken Bake?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep tomato paste from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Nigerian Jollof-Inspired Chicken Bake?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Spiced Nigerian Jollof-Inspired Chicken Bake for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Spiced Nigerian Jollof-Inspired Chicken Bake?

African chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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