Nando’s Spicy Rice
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After you try this Nando’s spicy rice recipe at home – you’ll be convinced to enjoy it from the comfort of your house for forever more.
Table of Contents
Why you should make this recipe at home
With less than 5 ingredients, a blend of spices that you’ll definitely have in your cupboard and less than 20 minutes of your time, you manage to achieve the most flavourful Nandos style rice for ¼ of the price.
What is Nando’s spicy rice made of?
It is a spiced rice recipe infused with turmeric and cumin. The rice cooks within the bloomed spices, which really enhances the flavour. The rice is flavoured with onion, garlic and paired with mixed bell peppers and peas for flavour, colour and nutrients.
Other rice recipes you should try after this one ; Turkey Mince Recipe with Rice (Gochujang Fried Rice), Viral Salmon Rice Bowl (Tiktok Recipe) and Singapore Fried Rice (Simple & Easy)
Where do the Nando’s flavours originate from?
Nando’s is said to be inspired by Portuguese and South African culture. Firstly being founded in South Africa with inspiration then taken from Portugal, as the Portuguese introduced peri peri flavours to South Africa.
Pair this recipe with my Peri Peri Chicken Wings for the best fakeaway Nando’s experience!
Ingredients
White Basmati Rice
Not only is basmati such a reasonable price, I love the way that it fluffs up when steamed in this spicy rice recipe. Using white rice acts as a great foundation for the spices to really infuse into the rice and take center stage.
Mixed Bell Peppers
I used a mix of red, yellow and green for an array of nutrients and maximum colour.
Peas
A signature ingredient within any Nandos spicy rice recipe. I used frozen for maximum nutrients and flavour.
Chicken Stock
I think chicken stock gives more of an authentic Nandos style flavour, but you can definitely use vegetable stock if you’re a vegetarian/vegan.
Spice Blend
I use turmeric, cumin, paprika and cayenne pepper (for heat). Depending on your spice tolerance, increase or decrease the quantity of cayenne pepper.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make Nando’s spicy rice
- Start by chopping mixed peppers on a chopping board, followed by the onion (Image 1).
- Then saute the peppers and onion in a non-stick frying pan with olive oil on a low/medium heat. Season with salt and gently fry for five minutes (Image 2).
3. Next, add the garlic and spices to fry for two minutes, before adding the rice halfway through and seasoning with salt again (Image 3).
4. Pour the stock into the pan, stir to get everything incorporated, bring up to a rapid boil and cover with a lid. Then, reduce the heat to low/medium (Image 4).
5. Set your timer according to the packet timer (mine was 15 minutes), adding the peas when there is 5 minutes left on the timer. Fluff the rice and stir. Serve and enjoy! (Image 5).
Storage/Reheat
Can you reheat this recipe?
Yes! I love using this recipe as part of a meal prep batch. Just ensure that as soon as your spicy rice is cool that you refrigerate it immediately. The risk of food poisoning when reheating rice arises when you leave rice out at room temperature for too long.
To reheat, pop in the microwave for 2 minutes on high and fluff with your fork. Ensure the rice is piping hot before digging in.
Can you freeze Nandos spicy rice recipe?
Yes you can! As mentioned before, just make sure that you freeze immediately, as soon as the rice has cooled. Freeze for up to 3 months.
To defrost, thaw in the fridge overnight rather than out of the fridge (as we don’t want the rice to be kept at room temp for any point). Then follow reheat instructions as discussed above.
Other new main dish recipes for you to try; Rigatoni Fiorentina (Creamy Chicken Rigatoni), Lentil & Chickpea Curry and Prawn Rice (Simple & One Pot)
Tips for the best result
Ensure that your rice is covered so that the rice can steam as it cooks. This will maximise the fluffy texture.
Refrain from stirring – once the rice is incorporated with the stock and other ingredients in the pan, refrain from stirring and keep the lid on (apart from when adding the peas). This will ensure that you get the fluffiest rice.
Use a non-stick pan to reduce the risk of sticking and also ensure the rice isn’t boiling too ferociously. This would cause the water to evaporate too quickly, leading to uncooked rice and no water.
Other takeaway recipes you might like to try; Chicken Katsu Curry and Crispy Chilli Chicken (Healthy Fakeaway Chinese) and KFC Popcorn Chicken Recipe
FAQs
Yes this is a perfect vegan main or dish and has no animal products.
Yes it’s gluten free!
It’s low in fats and calories and a great healthy side dish to have with some protein. Use salt in moderation to reduce the sodium content.
If you tried this Nando’s Spicy Rice recipe, it would be mean so much to me if you could leave a review & a star rating to let me know how you found it! I love hearing about your experiences – it motivates me to keep creating more and more recipes for you guys 💛 Let’s get cooking! – Mimi x
Nando’s Spicy Rice
Ingredients
- 1 white onion, diced (£0.11)
- 3 mixed peppers, chopped into small cubes (£1.00)
- 3-4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped (£0.39)
- 250 g long grain white rice, rinsed (£0.45)
- 100 g frozen peas (£1.00)
- Optional toppings: fresh coriander and fresh chillies
Cupboard Essentials
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 600 ml vegetable/chicken stock
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt
Method
- Start by sauteing the onion and peppers in a non-stick frying pan with olive oil on a low/medium heat. Season with salt and gently fry for five minutes.
- Next, add the garlic and spices to fry for two minutes, adding the rice halfway through and seasoning with salt again.
- Pour the stock into the pan, stir to get everything incorporated, bring up to a rapid boil and cover with a lid. Then, reduce the heat to low/medium.
- Set your timer according to the packet timer (mine was 15 minutes), adding the peas when there is 5 minutes left on the timer.
- Fluff the rice and stir. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Keep rice covered to allow for steaming and maximize fluffiness.
- Avoid stirring and keep lid on while cooking to ensure fluffiest rice.
- Use a non-stick pan to prevent sticking and ensure proper cooking.
Nutrition
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