Nando’s Portuguese Chicken and Rice
Nando’s Portuguese Chicken and Rice is a one pot meal with seasoned chicken and flavorful spicy rice.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 500 g / 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
Portuguese Chicken Seasoning
- 2 tsp paprika sweet, not spicy
- 1 tsp garlic powder or 1 large garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp coriander
- 1/4 tsp cayenne optional
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tbsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
Nando’s Copycat Spicy Rice
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves finely minced
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 1/2 cups basmati rice
- 1/4 tsp chili flakes optional
- 2 tsp turmeric powder
- 2 1/4 cups low sodium chicken stock
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1/2 tsp cooking salt
Garnishes
- Perinaise or pink sauce
- Green onion finely sliced
Instructions
Season the chicken – Mix all Portuguese chicken seasoning ingredients in a bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat evenly.
Sear – Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large heavy pot over high heat. Add chicken and cook until sealed and lightly colored. Remove with a slotted spoon, leaving oil behind.
Sauté aromatics – Add garlic and onion to the pot. Cook 1 minute. Add bell pepper and cook until onion becomes translucent.
Add rice – Stir in basmati rice to coat in the flavored oil.
Combine everything – Add chili flakes, turmeric, chicken stock, peas, salt, and the seared chicken with any juices. Stir once and bring to a simmer.
Cook covered – Cover with lid, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer gently for 15 minutes. Do not stir.
Rest – Remove from heat and let rest 10 minutes with lid on.
Fluff and serve – Gently fluff rice, spoon into bowls, drizzle with Perinaise, and garnish with green onions.
- This Nando’s Portuguese Chicken and Rice develops bold flavor as it steams, creating perfectly tender rice and juicy chicken in one pot.
Notes
- Substitute chicken breast if preferred.