Best Nando’s Spicy Peri Peri Rice

This homemade peri peri rice with Nando’s sauce is to die for and a real family favourite. It really makes rice the star of the show!

The recipe itself is adapted from the Nandos website making it a Peri Peri original recipe.

The only difference is, I add some Peri Sauce and boil the rice in Chicken Stock. I often make this for meal prep and then have it throughout the week. It is that good!

What is Nandos Peri Peri?

Nandos was started in South Africa and according to the Nandos website, the food is a blend of Portuguese and British Culture.

Mozambique is home to African Birds Eye Chillies and they have been used in cooking for years.

The Portuguese added some Garlic and Lemon and used it on everything especially flame spatchcocked chicken (coming soon!).

The brand itself and the restaurants were started by 2 friends from Johannesburg.

Peri Peri is a red African Bird’s Eye Chilli. The sauce is made up of the Chilli, Salt, Garlic, Lemon, Onion, Oil, and Vinegar. It sometimes also has Red Pepper in it.

Ingredients and Substitutions

This is a simple recipe with store cupboard ingredients. I have suggested substitutions where possible.

Oil

Olive Oil, Vegetable Oil, Canola Oil, Avocado Oil or Sunflower Oil.

Garlic

Sliced Garlic, crushed Garlic, frozen Garlic or Garlic granules.

Onion

White or red onion diced or sliced.

Bell Peppers

Red Pepper or Green Pepper.

Green Chilli

One chopped chilli adds a little heat.

Chicken Stock

Chicken Broth Or Vegetable Stock flavours the rice but you can use water instead.

You can either use a liquid variety or a stock cube.

Types of Rice

The best rice to use in this recipe is a white rice like Basmati rice or any long grain rice. I would not recommend using brown rice.

Turmeric

This adds that gorgeous yellow hue that is associated with peri peri rice.

Cayenne Pepper

This adds a gentle heat but you can add chilli flakes.

Paprika

Smoked Paprika is best.

Lemon

This is mixed through at the end and adds delicious flavour.

Tomatoes

Pureed Plum Tomatoes or any Tomatoes you like. 

Peri Peri Sauce

The heat levels are determined by the sauce you decide to use in this recipe.

Choose your favourite sauce to add the famous peri peri flavour and select your desired spice level!

You can pick these up in all major supermarkets and even your local grocery store. 

how to cook peri peri rice 

Here is how to make this super simple recipe:

Heat the oil in a heavy pot and add Onion, and Salt. Cook for 5 minutes over medium heat till a light golden brown.

Stir in Peppers, Garlic and Chilli. Cook for 5 minutes before adding Spices - Smoked Paprika, Turmeric, Cayenne Pepper.

Pour in the pureed Tomatoes and Peri Peri Sauce.

Add the Rice and Chicken Stock.  

Bring to the boil, cover with a lid and turn the heat down to low. Cook for 10 mins.

Turn the heat off and leave the lid on.

After 10 minutes, remove the lid and stir through Lemon and Coriander.  

Variations and Substitutions

There are a few ways to make this recipe your own:

• Substitute the Peri Sauce for additional pureed Plum Tomatoes.
• Add other Vegetables such as Green Peas and Corn.
• You can cook the rice in a pressure cooker such as the instant pot or ninja foodi to make it super speedy.
• You can add a tablespoon of peri peri seasoning to the rice to add another layer of flavour. 

how to serve peri peri rice

The most obvious and popular way to serve this rice dish is the way Nandos do it!

• Serve it as a side dish alongside grilled meat such as Chicken Thighs, Chicken Breasts and Chicken Quarters. Serve with a other sides such as a crunchy Salad with a drizzle of Oil,  Corn on the Cob, Creamed Corn, Sweet Potato Wedges, Coleslaw.
• To make it a Vegetarian meal, serve with halloumi Cheese.
• A great way to serve this recipe is as a rice bowl. I add it to a bowl alongside chicken and vegetables.
• You can also make a peri peri rice bake or peri peri chicken fried rice by adding chopped & cooked small pieces of chicken to the recipe in a frying pan and cooking it all together over medium-high heat. The cooking time will be very short. Around 5 minutes.

Tips for making the best Peri Peri Rice

Pre soak the rice for 20 - 30 minutes beforehand. As well as the other benefits, this also helps shorten cooking time and helps keep the grains seperate.

Taste the stock water before adding Salt as the stock may already be salted.

How to use leftover Peri Rice

This Vegetarian Peri Peri Rice can be made as a bake, as chicken fried rice

storage instructions 

If you have leftovers, allow to cool completely and then store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

It can be eaten cold or warmed up. If you do warm it up, make sure it is piping hot before serving.

how to freeze

Once completely cooled, place in an airtight container and freeze for up to a month.

To defrost, take the rice out of the freezer and leave it in on the countertop for an hour or in the fridge for a few hours.

Reheat in the microwave or on over medium low heat on the hob till piping hot. If you notice that you have dry rice, add a splash of water when reheating. 

Is Peri peri rice healthy?

Yes it is. Not only does in contain delicious veggies, it also is packed full of vitamins and minerals. See full details re nutrition info below.

IF YOU LIKE THIS HOMEMADE NANDO’S SPICY RICE, YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

One Pot Greek Lemon Chicken and Rice

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Baked Tandoori Salmon

The MOST tender Leg of Lamb

Chicken Pulao

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