Hey, foodies! If you’re a fan of Nando’s, you’re going to love this One Pot Nandos Rice recipe. It’s packed with all the bold, spicy, and savory flavors you love from Nando’s, and the best part? It’s super easy to make in just one pot! With juicy chicken, creamy halloumi, and perfectly seasoned rice, this dish is the perfect meal for any night of the week. Ready to dive in? Let’s get cooking!
Method
Fry the Onions and Pepper
Begin by heating some Frylight (or your preferred cooking spray) in a large frying pan or deep skillet over medium heat. Once the pan is heated, add the chopped spring onions and pepper, seasoning them with a pinch of salt. Stir and cook for about 5 minutes, until the onions soften and become translucent. This creates a flavorful base for the rice.
Stir in Garlic and Chicken
After the onions and pepper are softened, add the crushed garlic cloves to the pan. Stir for about 30 seconds to release the aromatic flavor of the garlic. Then, add the diced chicken to the pan and sprinkle in the paprika, turmeric, and Nando’s medium rub. Stir everything thoroughly to coat the chicken with the spices and veggies, ensuring an even distribution of flavor. Allow the chicken to cook for a few minutes, turning it occasionally until it’s no longer pink.
Add Liquid Ingredients and Rice
Once the chicken is cooked, it’s time to add the liquids. Pour in the Nando’s medium sauce, passata, and chicken stock, stirring well to combine all the ingredients. Add the uncooked rice into the pan and stir again to ensure the rice is evenly mixed with the sauce and other ingredients. Bring the entire mixture to a boil, allowing the liquid to heat up before moving to the next step.
Simmer and Cook
After the mixture reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan with a lid and let the dish simmer for about 20 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is fully cooked. During this time, try not to stir the rice too much, as you want it to stay intact. You can check the rice halfway through cooking to ensure it’s not burning or sticking to the bottom of the pan. If it’s getting too dry, you can add a splash more chicken stock or water to keep the rice moist.
Cook the Halloumi
While the rice is simmering, cut the halloumi into slices. In a separate pan, heat some oil and fry the halloumi slices for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they’re golden brown and crispy. If you prefer, you can also air-fry the halloumi slices at 180°C (350°F) for about 8 minutes. Keep an eye on the halloumi to make sure it doesn’t overcook and become too hard.
Serve and Enjoy!
Once the rice is fully cooked and all the liquid has been absorbed, remove the pan from the heat. Use a fork to fluff the rice, separating the grains so it’s nice and light. Serve the rice on a plate and top with the crispy halloumi slices. You can garnish the dish with chopped spring onions or fresh herbs for a vibrant, fresh finish. Now, your One-Pot Nando’s Rice is ready to enjoy!
Necessary Tools
- Large frying pan or deep skillet
- Wooden spoon or spatula for stirring
- Knife and chopping board for chopping veggies and chicken
- Measuring spoons
- Can opener for the passata (if needed)
- Frying pan or grill pan for cooking halloumi
One Pot Nandos Rice A Flavor Explosion in Every Bite!
Cuisine: South AfricanDifficulty: Easy3
servings10
minutes30
minutes40
minutesIngredients
250g (raw) diced chicken breast
100g reduced-fat halloumi
6 spring onions
1 pepper, chopped
2 crushed garlic cloves
Pinch of salt
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tbsp (17g) Nando’s medium rub
30g Nando’s medium sauce
150g passata
350ml chicken stock
210g long grain rice
Directions
- Fry the Onions and Pepper
Start by heating some Frylight (or your preferred cooking spray) in a large frying pan or deep skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped spring onions and pepper, seasoning with a pinch of salt. Cook them until softened, which should take about 5 minutes. This will give your rice a great base of flavor. - Stir in Garlic and Chicken
Once the onions and pepper are ready, add in the crushed garlic cloves and diced chicken. Sprinkle the paprika, turmeric, and Nando’s medium rub over the chicken. Stir everything well to coat the chicken and veggies with the seasonings. Let the chicken cook for a few minutes until it’s no longer pink. - Add Liquid Ingredients and Rice
Next, pour in the Nando’s medium sauce, passata, and chicken stock. Stir to combine all the ingredients. Add the uncooked rice, giving everything a good mix to ensure the rice is evenly distributed in the liquid. Bring everything to a boil. - Simmer and Cook
Once the mixture starts boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pan. Let it simmer for about 20 minutes or until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is cooked through. You may want to check it halfway through to make sure nothing is burning on the bottom, but don’t stir it too much as the rice needs to stay intact. - Cook the Halloumi
While the rice is cooking, cut the halloumi into slices and either fry or air-fry them until they are golden brown and crispy. This will take about 3-4 minutes on each side in a pan, or around 8 minutes in an air fryer at 180°C (350°F). - Serve and Enjoy!
Once the rice is done and all the liquid has been absorbed, fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains. Serve the rice with the crispy halloumi on top for that extra creamy texture. Garnish with chopped spring onions or fresh herbs if desired!
Notes
- Rice Cooking Time Make sure to check the rice halfway through the cooking process to ensure it’s not burning or sticking to the bottom of the pan. If needed, you can add a splash of more chicken stock or water to keep the rice moist.
- Halloumi Cooking Be careful when frying or air-frying the halloumi. It crisps up quickly, so don’t leave it unattended for too long to avoid overcooking it.
- Adjusting Spice If you prefer your rice spicier, feel free to add more of the Nando’s medium rub or a dash of chili flakes to suit your taste.
Serving Suggestions
This One-Pot Nando’s Rice is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs perfectly with a side of grilled veggies, a fresh salad, or some creamy yogurt to balance out the heat. You can even serve it with a cool, tangy dip like tzatziki to make it even more delicious!
Fun Fact
Did you know that halloumi, the cheese used in this recipe, has a unique ability to be grilled or fried without melting? That’s why it’s perfect for dishes like this where you want a crispy, golden texture on the outside while keeping a soft, chewy inside!
Conclusion
This One-Pot Nando’s Rice is an easy, flavorful, and hearty meal that everyone will love. The combination of juicy chicken, bold spices, and crispy halloumi is a real winner, making it the perfect dinner for busy weeknights. Plus, it’s all made in one pot, which means fewer dishes to clean up afterward! Enjoy this simple yet tasty meal with your family or friends.
