A colourful, savoury fried rice with tender chicken, crisp vegetables and a flavourful blend of sauces and spices.
Ghanaian Fried Rice is a popular West African-style rice dish that combines cooked basmati rice with chicken, vegetables and aromatic seasonings. Carrots, peas, sweetcorn and red pepper bring colour and texture, while garlic, soy sauce and curry powder give the dish its distinctive savoury flavour.
The key to preparing this dish is to use rice that has been cooked and completely cooled beforehand. Stir-frying the cooled rice with the cooked chicken and vegetables helps keep the grains separate while allowing them to absorb the seasonings. Spring onions and parsley add a fresh finish.
Ingredients
750 g basmati rice (4 cups), cooked and cooled
500 g chicken
3 tbsp oil
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 carrot, diced
1 cup peas
1 cup sweetcorn
1 red pepper, chopped
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp curry powder
½ tsp white pepper
Salt, to taste
Spring onions, for garnish
Fresh parsley, for garnish
Method
Cook and Cool the Rice
Cook the basmati rice in advance and allow it to cool completely. Set it aside until ready to stir-fry.Sauté the Onion and Garlic
Heat the oil in a large wok or frying pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant and softened.Cook the Chicken
Add the chicken and cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring regularly, until it is thoroughly cooked.Add the Vegetables
Stir in the diced carrot, peas, sweetcorn and chopped red pepper. Cook for about 3 minutes so the vegetables begin to soften while retaining some texture.Add the Rice and Seasonings
Add the cooled rice to the pan. Pour in the soy sauce and sprinkle in the curry powder, white pepper and salt. Mix gently until the rice, chicken and vegetables are evenly combined.Stir-Fry Until Well Combined
Continue stir-frying for 3–4 minutes, allowing the rice to heat through and absorb the seasonings. Taste and adjust the salt if needed.Garnish and Serve
Remove from the heat and garnish with spring onions and fresh parsley. Serve immediately while hot.
Serve
Serve with grilled chicken, fried plantains, coleslaw and shito (Ghanaian pepper sauce). The sweet plantains, refreshing coleslaw and spicy sauce complement the savoury rice and make it a satisfying meal.