Jollof Chicken and Rice

Charmie777's Note:

This originated in French colonial Africa. I found this in a cookbook under NIGERIA. It's very similar to jambalaya.

• Total Time: 2 hrs
• Prep Time: 2 hrs
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 3 lbs chicken pieces
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 medium onion , chopped
• 16 ounces canned tomatoes , cut up
• 1 ¼ cups chicken broth
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon thyme , crushed
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1 cup long grain rice
• 1 tablespoon parsley , chopped

Directions:

1. In a large skillet brown chicken on both sides in hot oil aobut 15 minutes; remove from skillet. Set aside chicken, reserving drippings.
2. Add the onion to drippings; cook till tender but not brown. Drain off fat.
3. Return chicken to skillet.
4. Combine undrained tomatoes, broth, and seasonings. Pour over chicken. DO NOT STIR.
5. Bring to boiling; reduct heat.
6. Cover; simmer for 30 minutes.
7. Skim off fat.
8. Add rice, making sure all the rice is covered with liquid.
9. Cover; simmer for 30 minutes more or until rice is tender.
10. Remove bay leaf. Sprinkle with parsley.

Reviews

[Elly in Canada]

Definitely a five-star recipe! I prepared this lovely fragrant and very flavourful dish using freshly grated ginger, fresh thyme and a cinnamon stick to replace the dried spices and I was pleased with the results. I followed the recipe up to step 8, when I added the rice I put the ingredients into a large covered casserole and finished the cooking in the oven for 35 minutes. The rice was perfectly cooked. Prepared for the New African Recipe Tag Game in the African forum February 2012.

[Starrynews]

A very nice dish! It is so fragrant, with a lot of great flavors. We really liked the spices in this. Thanks for sharing! ZWT7

[LifeIsGood]

Excellent! I was surprised by how much I LOVED this recipe. It's super easy to put together, smells wonderful while cooking and tastes amazing. Don't skip the cinnamon, it makes this recipe special. Yummy! Made for ZWT 7 for the Golden Gourmets. Naa goodee (Thank you in Nigerian)