Sierra Leonean Jollof Rice

Name: Sierra Leonean Jollof Rice
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Sierra Leone
Ingredients: 4 cups long-grain rice, washed; 5 tomatoes, blended; 2 red bell peppers, blended; 2 scotch bonnet peppers, blended; 1 onion, blended, plus 1 sliced; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 lb chicken pieces; 3 cups chicken stock

8 servings20 min prep50 min cookMedium Sierra Leone

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Sierra Leonean Jollof Rice

Story updated September 17, 2026

Jollof rice traces back to the Senegambia region, likely originating among the Wolof people, before spreading across West Africa and taking on distinct regional forms. Sierra Leone's version is part of the long-running, good-natured 'jollof wars' debated across Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal over whose rendition reigns supreme.

Ingredients

Scale:· 8 servings

4 cups long-grain rice, washed
5 tomatoes, blended
2 red bell peppers, blended
2 scotch bonnet peppers, blended
1 onion, blended, plus 1 sliced
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 lb chicken pieces
3 cups chicken stock

Instructions

1Brown the chicken pieces in oil, then remove and set aside.
2Fry the sliced onion in the same oil until soft, then add tomato paste and fry 5 minutes.
3Blend tomatoes, bell peppers, scotch bonnet, and onion, and pour into the pot.
4Simmer the sauce 20 minutes until reduced, then return chicken to the pot with chicken stock.
5Stir in the rice, cover, and cook on low heat 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender.
6Fluff and serve hot.

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