Riz Gras (Ivorian Tomato Rice with Chicken)
Local name: Riz gras
In short: Chicken and rice cooked together in a rich tomato, onion and ginger base with carrots and peppers until the grains are orange-red and fluffy. It takes about 1 h 30 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 1 h 5 min
- Total
- 1 h 30 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 610 kcal
Riz gras, literally fat rice, is the Ivorian one-pot rice cooked in a rich tomato base with chicken and vegetables. It is a staple of Sunday lunches, weddings and street-side restaurants. The rice cooks in the flavored broth until each grain is orange-red and fluffy, with a slightly toasted layer at the bottom. It is served with raw onion, a spoonful of hot pepper and sometimes fried plantain.
Instructions
- Season the chicken with 1 teaspoon of the salt, the thyme and pepper. Heat the oil in a wide heavy pot over medium-high heat and brown the chicken for 4 minutes per side. Set it aside.
- In the same pot, cook the onions for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger and tomato paste and cook for 3 minutes, stirring, until the paste darkens.
- Add the tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes until thick. Pour in the water, add the bay leaves, chili and remaining salt and return the chicken to the pot.
- Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Stir in the carrots, bell pepper and rice just once, and bring back to a boil. Cover tightly and cook on the lowest heat for 20 to 25 minutes, until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Rest, covered, for 10 minutes. Check that the chicken reaches 74°C (165°F), remove the chili and bay leaves and fluff the rice with a fork. Serve hot.
Tips
- Parboiled rice stays separate and firm. If you use basmati or jasmine, reduce the water to 800 ml (3 1/4 cups) and cook the rice for 15 minutes.
- Do not stir the rice after the first mix. Stirring releases starch and makes the dish sticky.
Questions and answers
Why is it called riz gras?
The name means fat rice. It refers to the oil and the rich broth the rice absorbs, which makes it glossy and full of flavor.
Can I use beef or fish instead of chicken?
Yes. Use cubed beef simmered for 45 minutes first, or fish steaks added for the last 10 minutes of the rice cooking time.
How is riz gras different from jollof rice?
Both are tomato rice dishes. Riz gras usually includes browned chicken or meat cooked in the pot, plus ginger and mixed vegetables, and has a milder, less smoky flavor.
How long does it take to make Riz Gras (Ivorian Tomato Rice with Chicken)?
About 1 h 30 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 1 h 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Riz Gras (Ivorian Tomato Rice with Chicken)?
About 610 kcal per serving, with 32 g of protein, 76 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 610 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 32 g |
| Carbohydrates | 76 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 900 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
