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Nando’s Portuguese Chicken and Rice

One-Pot Nando’s Portuguese Chicken and Rice Bliss

Enjoy a burst of flavor with Nando’s Inspired Portuguese Chicken and Rice, a delightful one-pot meal perfect for busy nights.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Chicken
Cuisine: Portuguese
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1 pound Chicken Thighs skinless and boneless
  • 1 tablespoon Paprika sweet or regular
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
  • 1 teaspoon Coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper optional
  • 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Cooking Salt kosher recommended
For the Cooking Base
  • 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice or apple cider vinegar
  • 2 cloves Garlic Cloves minced
  • 1 medium Onion diced
  • 1 red Capsicum (Bell Pepper) diced
For the Rice
  • 1 cup Basmati Rice
  • 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
  • 2 cups Chicken Stock/Broth low-sodium recommended
  • 1 cup Frozen Peas optional
  • 1/2 teaspoon Chili Flakes optional
For Serving
  • to taste Perinaise or Hot Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Green Onion sliced

Equipment

  • large heavy-bottomed pot

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, oregano, coriander, cayenne pepper (if using), brown sugar, and salt to create a flavorful seasoning mix. Coat the skinless, boneless chicken thighs thoroughly with this mixture, ensuring every piece is well-covered. Set aside.
  2. Heat a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken thighs and sear for about 5 minutes, or until golden brown. Flip and sear for another 2 minutes before removing and setting aside.
  3. In the same pot, add more olive oil if necessary, and sauté minced garlic and diced onion over medium heat for 1 minute until fragrant. Add diced red capsicum and cook for 1.5 minutes until softened.
  4. Stir in the basmati rice, ensuring it gets coated with the aromatic mixture for about 1 minute. Pour in chicken stock and sprinkle turmeric powder, then add frozen peas (if using) and carefully place the seared chicken back on top.
  5. Bring to a gentle simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
  6. Remove from heat and leave the lid on for an additional 10 minutes. Then uncover and fluff the rice, mixing the chicken into it.
  7. Serve in bowls, drizzling with Perinaise or hot sauce and garnishing with green onions.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 30gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 40mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 3mg

Notes

For extra flavor, consider marinating the chicken thighs up to 24 hours in advance.

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