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Home » Rice dishes » Spicy Rice

Published: Mar 8, 2026 by K's Cuisine · This post may contain affiliate links ·

Spicy Rice

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Looking for the best homemade spicy rice recipe? Look no further than my version of Nando's spicy rice. It is quick, easy, and ready in 30 minutes. This rice is bursting with flavors, grainy, fluffy, colorful, and delicious. Serve with chicken, coleslaw, sweetcorn, or any dish of your choice.

homemade spicy rice served in a white plate.

If you like rice, you will love this spicy seasoned rice. It is budget-friendly, and you can make as much as you want, whenever you want, in the comfort of your home.

Nandos Spicy Rice Recipe

This homemade Nando's spicy rice recipe is a one-pot rice dish that is ready in a short time. It takes 30 minutes from start to finish.

Nando's Portuguese rice is the perfect balance of spicy and flavorful. I like how simple it is to cook, so I don't hesitate when my family asks for it. Rice is my favorite dish anyway, so I don't say no to one this good.

This spiced rice is a versatile side dish that pairs well with main dishes like chicken, steak, lamb, and fish. It can also be served with other sides such as roasted vegetables, boiled carrots, Coleslaw, and Salads. It is colorful and elevates any plate.

Nothing is boring about this flavored rice dish. Not only is it pleasing to the eyes, but it also tastes delicious. It is full of flavor and better than restaurant quality if I do say so myself.

You only need a few simple ingredients to make this my recipe for Nando's spicy rice.  10 ingredients or fewer are all you need to make it. These are inexpensive ingredients that can be found in most kitchens.

spicy rice in a pot.

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients for spicy rice:

Rice- Basmati rice or easy cook long grain rice

Red Bell pepper

Green bell pepper

Onion

Garlic

Turmeric - This gives the rice its color.

Paprika- Smoked or regular paprika. If you want a hint of smokiness, use smoked paprika.

Cayenne or black pepper

Cumin

Salt

Vegetable oil- This can be substituted for olive oil or sunflower oil.

Stock- Vegetable stock if you're vegetarian, or chicken stock if not. I use chicken stock.

Peas (optional) -Add color and nutrients to the dish.

The full ingredient list is in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How To Make Spicy Rice

Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to make Nando's rice:

Step 1- Place a pot over medium heat, add oil, and onions. Saute the onions for 1-2 minutes until they are translucent and fragrant, then add garlic. Fry for 1 minute.
Step 2- Add diced bell peppers, turmeric, paprika, cumin, cayenne or black pepper, stock powder, and salt. Stir and fry for 1-2 minutes.

onions, peppers and the spices in a pot.

Step 3- Wash rice until the water runs clear. Drain, then add the washed rice to the pot.

washed rice added to the pot.

Stir and pour in stock. Stir well, cover the pot, and let the rice cook over low heat for 25-30 minutes, until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender but firm.

stock added to the pot.

Step 4- Stir the rice and remove it from the stove.
Serve and enjoy.

cooked spicy rice in a pot.

What To Serve With

Here are some suggestions for what to serve spicy rice with:

Nandos Peri peri chicken, chicken leg quarters, whole roasted chicken

Chicken tenders, chicken bites

Baked lamb steaks , air fryer lamb steaks

Coleslaw, Broccoli

Storage

Let the rice cool completely, transfer it to an airtight bowl, and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop. To reheat in the microwave, transfer to a microwave-safe plate, microwave on high until the rice is hot and warmed through.

FAQS

Can I make it vegetarian?

Yes, use vegetable stock to cook it and not chicken stock.

Does Nandos spicy rice have peas?

Most homemade spicy rice recipe calls for peas, but the UK Nando's spicy rice I have had at their restaurant doesn't have peas. I use peas sometimes, and when I do not use peas, I use green bell peppers.

Tips

  • After adding the stock and stirring, cover the pot and don't stir the rice till it's cooked. Stirring while cooking can make the rice burn before it's done.
  • Cook rice covered. Cover the pot with a fitted lid so the liquid doesn't evaporate while the rice is cooking. You want to cook it with steam.
  • Cook on low heat
  • Adjust the pepper to your desired level of spiciness.

More Rice Recipes

Jollof rice

Fried rice

Onion rice

Rice and chicken drumsticks

Chicken curry rice

I hope you like this spicy rice recipe as much as I do. If you find this post helpful, please rate it 5 stars and leave me a comment below. I love reading from you.

Follow K's Cuisine on Instagram, Pinterest and subscribe to my Youtube channel HERE

cooked spicy rice in a pot.
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Spicy Rice Recipe

Looking for the best homemade spicy rice recipe? Look no further than my version of Nando's spicy rice. It is quick, easy, and ready in 30 minutes. This rice is bursting with flavors, grainy, fluffy, colorful, and delicious. Serve with chicken, coleslaw, sweetcorn, or any dish of your choice.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time35 minutes mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: African, American, Australian, British, International, Portuguese
Keyword: nando's spicy rice, spicy rice, spicy rice recipe, yellow spicy rice
Servings: 6
Calories: 184kcal
Author: K's Cuisine

Equipment

  • Pot

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Rice Basmati or Easy cook long grain rice.
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 medium Red Bell pepper
  • 1 medium Green Bell pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon Turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon Cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon Black pepper or Cayenne
  • 1 teaspoon Stock powder
  • 4 cups vegetable or chicken stock
  • 3 tablespoons Olive oil
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 cup Peas optional

Instructions

  • Place a pot on medium heat, add oil, and onions. Saute the onions for 1-2 minutes until they are translucent and fragrant, then add garlic. Fry for 1 minute.
  • Add diced bell peppers, turmeric, paprika, cumin, cayenne or black pepper, stock powder, and salt. Stir and fry for 1-2 minutes.
  • Wash rice until the water runs clear. Drain, then add the washed rice to the pot. Stir and pour in stock. Stir well, cover the pot, and let the rice cook on low heat for 25-30 minutes until the water is dried and the rice is tender but firm.
  • Stir the rice and remove it from the stove.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

  • After adding the stock and stirring, cover the pot and don't stir the rice till it's cooked. Stirring while cooking can make the rice burn before it's done.
  • Cook rice covered. Cover the pot with a fitted lid so the liquid doesn't evaporate while the rice is cooking. You want to cook it with steam.
  • Cook on low heat
  • Adjust the pepper to your desired level of spiciness.

Nutrition

Calories: 184kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 320mg | Potassium: 357mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1050IU | Vitamin C: 53mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg

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