Best Nando’s Spicy peri peri rice - Who doesn’t love a cheeky Nandos? Who doesn’t love Peri Peri Chicken and Rice? I am a big fan of Nandos and love to recreate the recipes at home. Here is how you can recreate it at home.Serve alongside Peri Peri or Piri Piri Chicken, Roast Meat dishes, Roast Veg, Coleslaw and even Kebabs. It is quick to make too and ready to eat in 20 minutes! The rice in this recipe is lightly spiced and subtly smoky and is packed full of flavour.
½tspSmoked Paprika PowderAny variety will work - Smoked/Sweet
½tspTurmeric Powder
½tspCayenne Pepper
200gPlum Tomatoesfrom a tin, pureed
4cupsChicken Stockor Boiling Water with crushed Stock Cubes (800g)
1 ½tbspPeri Peri Sauce
1cupRice200g
450mlChicken Stockor Veg Stock or Water
1Lemon Juice only
Coriander Leavesto garnish
Instructions
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.
Notes
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 tbsp 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.