Welcome to my kitchen, where I create amazing and delicious recipes today. I’m excited to share one of my favorite recipes of all time. As a long-time fan of Nando’s, I have always loved everything on their menu, from Peri peri chicken to Spicy rice. Their flavors are so delicious and tempting that they make you addicted to their dishes.
One dish from Nando’s that I love is their Spicy Rice Recipe. Aromatic rice, cooked in a spicy seasoning, This spicy Rice from Nando’s is their take on the traditional Peri Peri rice. After my endless visits to Nando’s, where I always ordered their Spicy Rice, I decided to make them at home.
Although it took me several attempts and experiments with various ingredients to replicate their flavors and taste, here I am with my recipe for Nando’s Spicy Rice Recipe. This recipe is a complete guide on how to prepare it easily at home and enjoy the Nando Flavours anytime you like.
What makes Nando’s Spicy Rice Recipe So unique?
One of the best things about Nando’s Spicy Rice is its unique combination of flavors and textures. With just the first spoonful of this rice, you’ll realize that the flavors aren’t just full of spices; instead, they are a delicate play of other flavors, such as the onions, bell peppers, and peas, creating a wholesome experience. The crunch and freshness of the veggies perfectly complement the heat from the peri-peri seasoning and the spices.
I have also tried Peri Peri rice from various other food places, but nothing competes with the deliciousness offered by Nando’s. At first, I wondered if they might have some secret sauce or seasoning that makes their dishes super tasty. Still, later, when I tried making them at home, I realized that it’s just the perfect blend of flavors and textures that makes everything from Nando’s delectable flavored. No wonder their chefs have mastered the art of cooking so well.
I have always been eager to try new things in the kitchen, and this, along with my fondness for Nando’s, compelled me to try making Nando’s Spicy Rice at home. Now that I have unlocked the perfect recipe, I believe it’s time to share it with you all. Stay tuned.
Tips to make your Spicy Rice exactly like Nando’s
Here are 5 tips that will help you make the best Nando’s Spicy Rice at home:
Utilise fresh Spices:
After experimenting with the dish quite a few times, I have realized that using fresh produce and spices can make a big difference. Fresh ground coriander seeds and cumin, with fresh turmeric and paprika, create a great flavor profile and make the dish even more delicious.
Fresh veggies add a crunch and extra flavor to the rice. So, use only fresh spices and veggies to get the same results as Nando’s.
Adjust the spice level:
Not everyone‘s spice tolerance is the same, so pay attention to the heat level of the rice; if the rice is to be served to kids, you can reduce the amount of spices and increase them or use cayenne pepper if you like them spicier.
Toasting the Rice:
One practice I swear by when making Nando’s Spicy Rice is to fry rice in oil before cooking it. Just lightly toasting the rice until it turns golden will allow it to develop a nutty flavor and prevent it from sticking while cooking. The result is fluffy and yummy rice.
Slow cooking:
When cooking the rice, they must soak up all the flavors from the spices and other ingredients. For this, it is essential to simmer the rice, so when you make Nando’s Spicy Rice, make sure to simmer it on low heat.
Resting time:
Once the rice is cooked, give it 5-10 minutes to rest before fluffing with a fork or serving; this will allow the uncooked rice to get cooked from the steam and absorb the flavors better.
Recipe Card
Spicy Rice Recipe | Nando’s Spicy Rice
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp / 59 ⅐ ml Vegetable oil
- 1 small size Onion (Finely Chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic (Minced)
- ½ tsp / 1 g Paprika
- ½ tsp / 1 g Chilli powder
- ½ tsp / 1 g Cumin powder
- 1 tsp / 2 g Turmeric powder
- 2 tsp / 12 g Salt (divided)
- 1 cup / 150 g Tomato (diced)
- ½ cup / 75 g Green Bell Pepper (finely chopped)
- ½ cup / 75 g Red Bell Pepper (finely chopped)
- 4 cups / 1000 ml Hot water
- 2 cups / 420 g Basmati Rice
- 2 tbsp / 30 ml Lemon Juice
- 2 tbsp chopped Corriander
Instructions
Cook The Vegetables
- Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is warm, add the chopped onions and fry them for 1-2 minutes. Next, add in the minced garlic and saute for about 10 seconds.
- Add all the spices with one teaspoon of salt, as mentioned in the ingredients, and give them a good mix. Add the diced tomatoes and mix until they are well-covered in the spices.
- Add a little water and let the tomatoes cook until soft.
- mix the chopped green and red bell peppers well once the tomatoes soften.
- The next step is to add the washed and soaked basmati rice to the tomato mixture and saute for 1-2 minutes while stirring.
Add The Rice
- Add 4 cups of water to the pan and give it a good stir. Add lemon juice and one teaspoon salt, give everything a final stir, cover with a lid, and cook for 15 minutes over low heat.
Serve and Enjoy
- Once the rice is cooked, top it up with some chopped coriander and serve alongside your favorite dish.
Video
Recipe FAQs
This is usually served with Peri Peri Chicken, but you can have it with whatever side dish you want. I pair this homemade Nando’s spicy rice with BBQ chicken, beans, and Peri Peri Chicken.
If you have leftover rice, put it in an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 2 days.
You can reheat spicy rice in the microwave. To do so, pop it in the microwave oven and reheat rice for at least 2 minutes, or according to your desire.
To make this dish, you can use a variety of long-grain rice, such as Basmati, Jasmine, White, and Brown Rice. I prefer to use Basmati Rice here, as it tastes better.
