Homemade Nando's Spicy Rice

An epicurean adventure to: South Africa

This Nando's Spicy Rice recipe is ready in just 25 minutes and cooked in a single saucepan. It's a delicious and easy copycat side dish that pairs perfectly with peri peri chicken or grilled seafood!

We're big fans of the Nando's spicy rice! But why wait in line at Nando's when you can whip up this fakeaway recipe for spicy rice in the comfort of your own kitchen?

You'll only need a few simple ingredients, plus our suggested combination of well-balanced spices.

We think it's a pretty close copycat of the signature side that made Nando's famous, alongside their infamous peri-peri chicken and witty, often controversial South African TV ads!

Fast facts - South Africa

Key Ingredient notes and substitutions

**Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full list of ingredients.

Chicken stock cube

We add less salt to this recipe because the two chicken stock cubes provide most of the necessary salt.

For a vegan-friendly version, swap the chicken stock for vegetable stock cubes.

Red bell pepper

You can also use long, sweet pointed peppers (the sweet ones!) instead of red bell peppers. Just make sure the diced peppers match the volume of the diced onions.

Nando's rice typically uses red pepper, but you can add green pepper if you prefer.

Red chilli flakes

Nando's spicy rice has a mild heat level, so half a teaspoon of chilli flakes will add a medium level of spiciness - but you can adjust this to your liking.

For an extra kick, you can add a little pinch of cayenne pepper.

Rice

You can use any type of long-grain white rice, like Basmati.

Brown rice works too, but it'll taste a bit different from the Nando's version.

Frozen green peas

We recommend using petit pois for their sweetness and appearance - they're small, bright green and stay compact when cooked.

Regular garden peas can swell and lose their vibrant colour.

However, feel free to use your favourite frozen peas.

How to make Nando's spicy rice - Step-by-step

Prepping

1. Start by dissolving the two chicken stock cubes in the 800ml boiling water. Set aside.

2. Chop the onion and red pepper into small cubes of roughly 1cm x 1cm. Set aside.

Make the rice

3. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat on the stove top.

4. Add the chopped onions and red pepper to the hot oil and put the lid on. 

5. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are slightly softened.
   
   To prevent browning, keep an eye on the vegetables and stir them every minute or so.

6. Add the turmeric, smoked paprika, cumin, chilli flakes and black pepper to the vegetables. 

7. Fry for a further 1 minute.

8. Add the uncooked long grain rice, chicken stock and salt to the pan.

9. Stir through with the vegetables and spices.
   
10. Bring the water back up to a gentle simmer. Turn the heat down to low, put the lid back on and cook for 7 minutes. Keep it over a low heat throughout.

11. After 7 minutes, stir in the peas. Place the lid back on and cook for a further 4-5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let it rest, with the lid on, for a further 10 minutes.
    
    Since the cooking time is short, it's crucial to keep the lid on for the final 10 minutes after removing it from the heat.
    
    This allows the rice to absorb all the liquid without drying out or risking burning during the cooking process.

12. Fluff up the rice with a fork and serve.

Can I make this vegetarian and vegan-friendly?

Yes! Simply replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock.

Serve with a spicy chickpea burger or a rainbow bowl with spiced grains, hummus and roasted long-stem broccoli.

What can you serve with Nando's spicy rice?

This Portuguese rice is a great accompaniment to many dishes, like:

• Homemade peri peri chicken, grilled chicken breast, lemon herb chicken, chicken wings.

• Fish and seafood.

• Coleslaw.

• Sweet potato fries.

• Chips with peri peri salt, or peri peri sauce.

• A fresh, crispy salad.

• Garlic bread.

• Corn on the cob.

• Grilled pineapple.

• Crumbed mushrooms.

• Portuguese bread rolls.

• Perinaise - Mix mayonnaise with Nando's peri-peri sauce.

• Toasted pitas.

• Enjoy it as a main dish by adding sliced-up, cooked chicken.

• Serve with a squeeze of lemon juice.

• To drink, try this South African Rock shandy or a cold, crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Blanc.

• For dessert, to calm the heat, this homemade dark chocolate ice cream!

How long can I store leftover rice for?

For safety reasons, cooked rice should be consumed within 24 hours, so the rice will keep well until the next day if stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

Transfer the leftover rice to the fridge quickly and don't leave it outside in the warm.

How do I reheat any leftover Nando's spicy rice?

You can reheat the rice in the microwave for about 3 minutes on high. Stir it and give it another blast if needed.

Alternatively, reheat it in a saucepan on the stove, adding a splash of water if necessary.

Another option is to fry the rice in a pan. It's especially delicious if you enjoy a few crispy bits.

Last but not least, it makes a delicious cold rice salad!

Can I freeze leftovers?

Yes, you can!

The rice freezes well in an airtight container for up to three months. To defrost, place it in the fridge overnight.

Consume within 24 hours after thawing and follow the reheating instructions provided above.

FAQ

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