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    Home » Rice Recipes » Nigerian Fried Rice

    Published: Dec 1, 2019 · Modified: Jan 13, 2021 by Ajoke

    Nigerian Fried Rice

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Nigerian fried rice in all its glory! I don’t mean to brag, but I make the best fried rice and I can tell you, this would be your last search for a Nigerian fried rice recipe. This recipe is simple and quick to make, it is delicious and packed full of flavour and fresh vegetables.

    Nigerian fried rice served with a side of chicken thighs.

    Nigerian Fried Rice Recipe

    One of the most popularly eaten food in Nigeria is rice and Nigerian fried rice is one of the ways we cook rice. This easy fried rice recipe is the fraternal twin of Jollof rice, it is simple, delicious and easy to make.

    There are 2 ways of cooking this popular Nigerian dish, one is adding cooked rice to stir-fried vegetables and the other method is cooking the rice with chicken stock before adding it to the stir-fried vegetable. I make fried rice both ways but my preferred method is boiling the rice in chicken stock, so the rice is already flavoured before mixing with the stir-fried vegetable.

    A plate of Nigerian fried rice with prawns and fried liver.

    Nigerian parties are not complete without Nigerian fried rice or Nigerian Jollof rice, but the truth is not many can cook it right. Let me show you how to make the best Nigerian fried rice and I can guarantee you that this would also be your last search too.

    Basically, Nigerian fried rice is cooked with stir-fried veggies and fried liver and I believe you can make yours however you want it. It is simple and can be made healthy with some few swaps and portion control. Many shy away from making this recipe because it involves cutting up vegetables but thanks to frozen veg, you can make it in under 40 minutes. Let me show you how to make the best Nigerian homemade and party fried rice you and your family would enjoy.

    Nigerian fried rice in a white bowl.

    Nigerian fried rice Variation

    This recipe can be made with either fresh or frozen vegetables

    Add fresh prawns, shrimps or seafood stick

    Add cooked cubed chicken breast or thighs. If you want, you can go all out and everything including fried liver to make it special Nigerian fried rice. No matter how you decide to make it, don’t forget to pair it with some chicken. Yum yum!

    Make Coconut fried rice

    Ingredients

    Raw rice: long grain or golden Sella basmati rice would work for this recipe

    Curry powder

    Dried thyme

    Salt to taste

    Ground ginger powder (optional)

    Ground garlic powder (optional)

    Chicken bouillon powder or stock cubes

    Chicken stock/broth

    Runner beans (Green beans)

    Carrots

    Sweet corn

    Spring onions also called green onions

    Frozen peas substitute with canned green peas

    Onion

    Fresh Prawn

    Liver (Use cow or goat liver)

    Green bell pepper

    Vegetable oil

    Butter

    Don’t be discouraged by the exhaustive list of ingredients, as I mentioned earlier you can make this to your choice, skip the ingredients you are unable to source. Curry powder, seasoning, stock and thyme are very important in cooking Nigerian fried rice. I have had fried rice that was cooked with carrot, green peas and sweet corn before that tasted nice. Alternatively, use 4 cups of frozen mixed vegetable and follow the instructions in this recipe

    ingredients.

    Prep your ingredients

    Let the following tips guide you in cooking the best Nigerian fried rice

    If you are using chicken/turkey stock, use less oil in cooking rice as the stock usually contain oil. See ingredients picture.

    Check for the salt level in the chicken stock you would be using and let that guide you to how much salt or bouillon powder your rice would need.

    If you would be using already cooked plain white rice then move on to the step where you stir fry the veggies then stir in the rice once the veggies are tender to your liking.

    Nigerian fried rice calls for actual chicken stock but if you don’t have this then use a combination of chicken stock cube and water to make stock.

    How to make Nigerian Fried rice

    Place a pan big enough to cook rice on medium heat, add oil, heat until hot, add chopped onions, curry powder, thyme and powder and fry for about one minute to release the fragrance then add washed rice and stir continuously for about 2-3 minutes. (Don’t let the rice stick to the bottom of the pot)

    raw washed basmati rice in a pot about to be stirred.

    Add chicken stock (if the stock is not enough to cover the rice, add water to it) ginger, garlic and seasoning. Reduce heat and simmer until tender.

    Basmati rice about to be cooked in chicken stock.

    Check-in between cooking time, add water to the rice if needed and don’t forget to check for salt and seasoning and adjust to suit your taste

    Whilst you are waiting on your rice to cook, you can stir fry the vegetables or just wait till rice is cooked.

    Cooked rice in a pot.

    Place a wok or skillet on medium heat, add oil and butter and heat until hot. Add the vegetables, prawns, salt and stir fry for another 3 minutes, add a pinch of curry and thyme and stir continuously for another 3 minutes or until veggies are tender but not overcooked. If you are using processed green peas, don’t add to your stir fry as it would go mushy. Add it 2 minutes to the end of the cooking time.

    Stir fried veggies with fried liver and prawns in a wok.

    Now moving on to the next bit,

    If you used a large skillet to stir fry the veggies, add the cooked rice to it, mix until fully combined. Check for salt and seasoning and adjust to suit. Alternatively, add the stir-fried veggies into the rice. Mix to combine and continue to cook for another 2 minutes.

    Take it off the heat and serve.

    Watch How To Make it.

    Nigerian fried rice.

    Other Rice Recipes From The Blog You Will Love

    Nigerian Jollof rice, the ultimate Nigerian party groover

    Easy coconut rice

    Curried rice

    Coconut Jollof rice

    Pin this recipe for later

    Nigerian fried rice in a white bowl.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 10 votes

    Nigerian Fried Rice Recipe

    Nigerian fried rice recipe in all its glory! This would be your last search for learning how to make Nigerian fried rice. This recipe is simple and quick to make, it is delicious and packed full of flavour and fresh vegetables.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time30 mins
    Total Time40 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: African, Nigerian
    Keyword: Fried rice recipe, how to make Nigerian fried rice, Nigerian fried rice
    Servings: 8
    Author: Ajoke

    Equipment

    • Large pan

    Ingredients

    • 2 tsp Curry powder
    • 1 tsp thyme
    • Salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground ginger optional
    • ½ tablespoon garlic powder optional
    • 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon powder or use according to preference
    • Chicken stock
    • ½ cup Runner beans sliced
    • ½ cup Carrots chopped
    • 200 g Sweet corn
    • ½ cup spring onions
    • 1 cup frozen peas
    • 1 medium size white onion sliced
    • 20 medium Prawn deveined and cleaned optional
    • 1 cup fried liver
    • 1 green bell pepper chopped
    • 3 cups raw rice washed I used golden Sella basmati rice
    • ½ cup vegetable oil divide into 2
    • 3 tablespoons butter

    Instructions

    • Place a pan big enough to cook rice on medium heat, add 1 part of the oil and heat until hot, add chopped onions, curry powder, thyme and powder and fry for about one minute to release the fragrance then add washed rice and stir continuously for about 2-3 minutes. (Don’t let the rice stick to the bottom of the pot)
    • Add chicken stock (if the stock is not enough to cover the rice, add water to it) ginger, garlic and seasoning. Reduce heat and simmer until tender.
      Check-in between cooking time, add water to the rice if needed and don’t forget to check for salt and seasoning and adjust to suit your taste
    • Whilst you are waiting on your rice to cook, you can stir fry the vegetables or just wait till the rice is cooked.
    • Place a wok or skillet on medium heat, add the remaining oil and butter and heat until hot. Add the vegetables, prawns, salt and stir fry for another 3 minutes, add a pinch of curry and thyme and stir continuously for another 3 minutes or until veggies are tender but not overcooked. If you are using processed green peas, don’t add to your stir fry as it would go mushy. Add it 2 minutes to the end of the cooking time.
    • Now moving on to the next bit,
    • If you used a large skillet to stir fry the veggies, add the cooked rice to it, mix until fully combined. Check for salt and seasoning and adjust to suit. Alternatively, add the stir-fried veggies into the rice. Mix to combine and continue to cook for another 2 minutes. Take it off the heat and serve.

    Notes

    Tips
    If you are using chicken/turkey stock, use less oil in cooking rice as the stock usually contain oil.
    Check for the salt level in the chicken stock you would be using and let that guide you to how much salt or bouillon powder your fried rice would need.
    If you would be using already cooked plain white rice then move on to the step where you stir fry the veggies then stir in the fluffy rice once the veggies are tender to your liking.
    Nigerian fried rice called for actual chicken stock but if you don’t have this then use a combination of chicken stock cube and water to make stock.

    Recipe updated with new pictures and complete write up. Below are some of the pictures uploaded in March 2015.

    • how to make nigerian fried rice

    If you made this recipe, don’t forget to leave me feedback. Tag me @myactivekitchen on Instagram and save away to your Pinterest.

    ATB

    Ajoke x

    « Nigerian Stewed Beans (Ewa Riro)
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sharon Airewele says

      June 24, 2022 at 7:40 pm

      5 stars
      Hey, This Nigerian fried rice recipe is so stunning. I finished the pot in 3 days (for 6 people lol). I'm super proud of you feeding us with these recipes. I have been open to trying new recipes and this rice is amazing, like what you get at Nigerian parties. I have made it two times now and is a monthly staple in my house. I will have arrived when I have learned how to cook egusi and also pepper soup, I hope to find these recipes here at myactivekitchen.com, Amen to my taste buds and belly.

      Reply
    2. Marv says

      April 12, 2020 at 2:01 pm

      5 stars

      4 stars
      Wow…. I tried your recipe and steps. Despite I didn’t use butter, it still came out yummy.
      We all wanted more!
      Thank you and God bless.
      Happy Easter

      Reply
    3. Mercy says

      December 12, 2019 at 10:03 pm

      5 stars

      5 stars
      Thanks for this Recipe
      Am going to try it, keep up the good work…

      Reply
    4. abby says

      June 16, 2018 at 5:56 am

      Hello! Please, what type of rice did you use? Many thanks

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        June 18, 2018 at 7:42 pm

        Hi Abby, I used tropical sun golden sella

        Reply
    5. naa priscy says

      November 08, 2016 at 8:24 pm

      Hi...will this method be the one to use when cooking for a larger number of people, e.g..300 to 500? Or a different method is required... especially with the frying bit. Thank you

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        November 08, 2016 at 8:44 pm

        Hello, please kindly check coconut fried rice recipe on the blog as that would be the method I would use for large quantities. Its the best method and it's never failed too. Still follow all the steps here and use the picture on the other recipe as guide. Thanks and do let me know how you get on.

        Reply
    6. Abigail says

      May 04, 2016 at 6:54 pm

      Hi,

      could you please give the recipe for the chicken?? because this looks like it was stewed aftewards. thank you.

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        May 08, 2016 at 9:47 pm

        Hi Abigail, kindly search for Owanbe stew on the blog. thanks

        Reply
      • Aniekeme peter says

        January 02, 2020 at 4:05 pm

        I like Nigerian fried rice

        Reply
    7. Sike says

      December 29, 2015 at 6:58 am

      Hi, this recipe looks great. Is there any way to get the quantity of the ingredients used? Like how many cups of chicken stalk, or spoonfuls of seasonings. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        December 29, 2015 at 12:32 pm

        Hello Sike, kindly use the pictures as guide. keep the stock/water level a little bit above the rice or the same level and cook on low heat.Use the seasoning according to your taste. I hope that helps

        Reply
    8. ONYI says

      July 15, 2015 at 4:05 pm

      5 stars

      I TRIED YOUR RECIPE AND IT WAS DA'BOMB. YUM ALL THROUGH

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        December 29, 2015 at 12:30 pm

        Thanks for the feedback Onyi

        Reply
    9. Nene says

      March 10, 2015 at 12:03 pm

      5 stars

      Thanks for this post. keep up the good work

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        March 10, 2015 at 12:18 pm

        Thanks

        Reply
    10. silvia baby says

      March 09, 2015 at 11:30 pm

      Thank you very for taking ur time to show us different methods of cooking, tried ur method of cooking Nigeria fried rice, and it worked. loved the result am so going to try it again. Thanks my luv xxx .

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        March 10, 2015 at 12:15 pm

        thanks for your kind words dear.

        Reply

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    Hello, my name is Ajoke, and welcome to my food world,  I love to cook in my lively little kitchen. Join me in the adventure of cooking what we all call warm, hearty, and quick meals...

    More about me →

    Hello, my name is Ajoke, and welcome to my food world,  I love to cook in my lively little kitchen. Join me in the adventure of cooking what we all call warm, hearty, and quick meals...

    More about me →

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