The Best Nando’s Style Peri Peri Rice Recipe
This peri peri rice recipe perfectly marries the bold flavors of bell peppers, the warmth of aromatic spices, and fragrant basmati rice, making it an all-around side dish for any of your star proteins—chicken, fish, beef, you name it! Thanks to the earthy notes of cumin and coriander and the subtle heat of Kashmiri chili, each forkful of this one-pot Nando’s style Peri-Peri Rice packs that punch of flavor you crave in rice recipes. Serve in a bowl with peri peri chicken and a crisp green salad for a hearty and wholesome Asian-style meal that’ll hit all the right spots.
Nando’s need no introduction here. It might be the most popular takeout sensation worldwide after work. This South African restaurant is highly anticipated for its flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken and sauces. But it’s time to skip the line and put a homemade spin on this takeout favorite. And trust me, recreating the spicy and bold flavors of Nando’s Peri Peri Rice at home is easier than you think. It’s the best one-skillet rice recipe that takes less than 30 minutes to make with minimal cleanup.
Peri Peri Rice Ingredients
Basmati Rice – I have opted for the fragrant, slightly nutty aroma and sticky texture of basmati rice, which pairs perfectly with bold spices. You can experiment with different long-grain rice varieties to suit your taste preferences. Whether you prefer Jasmine, long-grain white rice, or brown rice for a nuttier flavor, the choice is yours.
Bell Peppers – Crisp and colorful bell peppers bring a rainbow of colors to this peri-peri rice, while their sweet and slightly smoky taste balances the heat of warm spices. I have used a mixture of red, yellow, green, and orange for a beautiful pop of color and freshness. You can use your favorite ones.
Butter – Adds richness and velvety mouthfeel to the dish, elevating it from ordinary to extraordinary with its creamy goodness.
Red Onion – Imparts a sweet yet pungent kick to the dish, while its caramelized sweetness brings out the natural sweetness of the bell peppers.
Tomato Paste – Tomato paste adds depth and richness to the dish, rounding out the flavors and tying everything together.
Garlic – Minced garlic infuses the rice with an aromatic fragrance and savory essence, enhancing its flavor profile.
Cumin – Earthy and warming, cumin adds subtle smokiness and depth of flavor to the dish.
Coriander – Lends a bright and zesty note to the rice, balancing the richness of the other ingredients with its clean and refreshing taste.
Kashmiri Chili – Vibrant red and mildly spicy, Kashmiri chili adds a pop of color and gentle warmth to the dish, imparting a subtle heat that tickles the taste buds without overwhelming the palate.
Turmeric – A golden elixir prized for its health benefits, turmeric adds a warm and earthy flavor to the dish, while its vibrant hue turns the rice into a work of art.
Salt & Pepper – Season the rice to perfection.
How to Make Peri Peri Rice
Prepare the Rice
Wash and rinse basmati rice until the water runs clear, then soak the rice in water.
Saute the Aromatics
Melt butter in a hot skillet, add the chopped red onion to the skillet, and cook until translucent.
Add Veggies and Spices
Toss in the bell peppers, tomato paste, and minced garlic, and mix everything well. Add cumin, coriander, Kashmiri chili, turmeric, salt, and pepper.
Combine and Cook
Add the soaked and strained rice to the skillet, stirring it into the aromatic mixture for about two minutes.
Pour in the water, allowing the mixture to come to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
Simmer to Perfection
Cover the skillet, reducing the heat to low, and let the rice simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
Fluff and Serve
Remove the skillet from heat, uncover, and gently fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains and release excess steam.
Serve the Peri Peri Rice alongside peri-peri chicken, garnished with fresh cilantro, for a burst of color and flavor.
Peri Peri Rice Recipe Tips
Customize Your Spice Level: If you prefer less spicy peri peri rice, reduce the amount of Kashmiri chili or omit it altogether. For those who love a fiery kick, sprinkle in an extra pinch for added heat.
Mix Up the Veggies: While bell peppers add crunch and visual appeal, you can also toss in other veggies like peas, carrots, or broccoli for added texture and nutrition.
Enhance with Herbs: Finish with a garnish of fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley to make your peri peri rice recipe more appealing with an added herbaceous flavor.
Serve with a Side: While Peri Peri Rice is delicious on its own, it also pairs beautifully with various sides. Consider serving it alongside grilled vegetables, a crisp salad, or even some crusty bread to round out the meal.
Make it a Meal: Turn this side dish into a hearty meal by adding protein such as peri peri chicken, shrimp, or tofu. You’ll love how beautifully the rice soaks up meat flavors.
The Best Nando's Style Peri Peri Rice Recipe
This peri-peri rice recipe perfectly marries the bold flavors of bell peppers, the warmth of aromatic spices, and fragrant basmati rice, making it an all-around side dish for any of your star proteins—chicken, fish, beef, you name it! Serve in a bowl with peri peri chicken and a crisp green salad for a hearty and wholesome Asian-style meal that'll hit all the right spots.
Ingredients
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 4 cups of water
- 2 Tbsp of butter
- 1 red onion
- Bell peppers (red, yellow, orange, and green)
- 1 tsp tomato paste
- 5 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 red onion
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp Kashmiri chili
- ¼ tsp turmeric
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Wash and rinse the basmati rice until the water runs clear, and soak them in water.
- Melt butter in a hot skillet. Toss in the red onion and cook until translucent. Add bell peppers, tomato paste, and minced garlic, and mix everything well.
- Add cumin, coriander, Kashmiri chili, turmeric, and salt & pepper.
- Sauté everything on medium-low heat for a minute or until the spices are mixed evenly. Give the mixture a light stir to prevent the spices and garlic from burning.
- Add soaked and strained rice to the skillet and mix for another two minutes.
- Add water and let the mixture boil over medium-high heat.
- Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until there is no more water.
- Remove the skillet from heat, uncover, and fluff the rice with a fork.
- Serve with peri-peri chicken garnished with cilantro.
Notes
- Customize Your Spice Level: If you prefer less spicy peri peri rice, reduce the amount of Kashmiri chili or omit it altogether. For those who love a fiery kick, sprinkle in an extra pinch for added heat.
- Mix Up the Veggies: While bell peppers add crunch and visual appeal, you can also toss in other veggies like peas, carrots, or broccoli for added texture and nutrition.
- Enhance with Herbs: Finish with a garnish of fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley to make your peri peri rice recipe more appealing with an added herbaceous flavor.
- Serve with a Side: While Peri Peri Rice is delicious on its own, it also pairs beautifully with various sides. Consider serving it alongside grilled vegetables, a crisp salad, or even some crusty bread to round out the meal.
- Make it a Meal: Turn this side dish into a hearty meal by adding protein such as peri peri chicken, shrimp, or tofu. You'll love how beautifully the rice soaks up meat flavors.
