Baked Chicken Jollof Rice – African Recipe {Gluten-free}

I have been wanting to share this baked chicken Jollof rice for a long time. This easy Jollof Rice recipe and Instant pot Jollof Rice is a spiced tomato rice served all across West Africa.  Served during all celebrations like wedding, birthdays, Christmas and more.

Ok, 2 months which is super looooooooooooong in food blogger world. Here is the thing though. Every week I would plan the chicken Jollof rice recipe and buy the required amount of chicken and everything else.

Then the kids would walk in, see it and go ‘mama please can we have some chicken for supper’.

There are two things in that. One they ask so sweetly, I couldn’t say no. Second – anything to avoid having to feed them pancakes (erm three times a week), spaghetti bolognaise or plantains. And that would be that.

Peeps, I am embarrassed to say that I actually have a PHD. BUT it still took me two months to figure out that all I needed to do was to buy twice the amount of chicken needed. Half for them and half for the Jollof right? Ok the PhD was a long time ago, but surely, I should still have some of the brains in their somewhere. Hmmmmmmmm.

Jollof Rice

Jollof rice is one of those African recipes that is super easy to cook. The base is simply tomatoes and rice to which you can add a wide variety of things like meat, veggies and spices. In this case, I am adding sweet red peppers and chicken. Although you can put the chicken straight in, I suggest that you brown the chicken first as it makes such a huge difference.

Personally, I prefer my chicken Jollof rice lighter on the tomato puree than most. So, you can go with my version or add a little bit more tomato puree to your taste.

You can also try my baked jollof rice recipe or add veggies like in my  sweetcorn Jollof rice. Alternatively you can check out my Jollof spaghetti recipe or Jollof rice from Immaculate Bites, and Jamie Oliver’s Jollof rice.

Recipe Tools

• Skillet.
• Mixing bowls.
• Measuring cups.
• Spatula.

Recipe Tips

• Add in scotch bonnet or chilies if you would like some heat.
• Jumbo/Maggi/Dole cubes are stock cubes used to flavor food in West Africa and can be found in ethnic foods shops. You can use stock cubes plus water instead.
• You can add in veggies like sweet corn, carrot, and peas to your Rice Cooker Jollof.

Prep Ahead And Meal Prep 

Prep Ahead – Make ahead and refrigerate for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

Freeze – Follow the handy tips below on how to freeze this.

• Let it cool down, then transfer into these very handy Ziploc freezer bags.
• Squeeze out all the extra air and seal the bags.
• Label the bags and then lay them flat in the freezer.
• Store in the freezer for 3 months.

I always tell people that one of the best things about Jollof rice, apart from the taste and the ability to customise it to their heart’s content, would be the joy of whipping up a huuuuuuuge pot full of it.

So much so, that family and guests can take home a bowl or two for themselves. Sharing West African style, is what Jollof rice is all about.

Weight Watchers Points

If made with skinless chicken thighs, there are 7 Freestyle SmartPoints in a serving of this Baked Chicken Jollof Rice recipe.

More African recipes

Why not try my Okra Soup recipe or my West African Groundnut Spicy Chicken Soup  or this Cinnamon Jollof Rice recipe?

More Chicken Recipes

• Sheet Pan Chicken and Sweet Potatoes.
• Instant Pot Chicken Thighs.
• Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas.
• Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Pasta.

African flavours – is the spot on my blog where I share traditional Sierra Leonean recipes, African recipes and African fusion recipes.

Thank you for reading my one Baked Chicken Jollof Rice recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue dreaming up recipes, traditional African recipes, African fusion recipes, Sierra Leone recipes, travel plans and much more for you.

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