Description
Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler is a deeply flavorful oven-baked jollof rice layered with rich pepper-tomato stew and perfectly roasted, spice-rubbed chicken for a bold and comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/2 to 3 lbs chicken thighs or drumsticks (bone-in)
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 to 2 hot peppers (Scotch bonnet or habanero)
- 4 medium tomatoes or 1 can crushed tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 to 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons oil or reserved chicken drippings
- 2 cups long-grain parboiled rice
- 1 to 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon curry powder (optional)
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Pat chicken dry and toss with oil, smoked paprika, curry powder, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne if using.
- Roast 25 to 35 minutes until browned and cooked through. Reserve drippings.
- Blend tomatoes, red bell pepper, hot pepper, garlic, ginger, and a small portion of onion until smooth.
- Heat oil or chicken drippings in a large oven-safe pot.
- Add sliced onions and cook 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook 3 to 5 minutes until deepened in color.
- Pour in blended mixture and simmer 12 to 18 minutes until thickened.
- Add chicken stock, bay leaves, curry powder if using, and adjust salt.
- Stir in rinsed and drained rice until evenly coated.
- Cover tightly with foil or lid.
- Bake at 400°F for 45 to 60 minutes until rice is tender.
- Optionally stir halfway through and re-cover to finish baking.
- Nestle roasted chicken on top during the last 15 to 20 minutes or serve separately for crisp skin.
- Rest 10 minutes before fluffing and serving.
Notes
Parboiled long-grain rice gives the best fluffy texture. The stew should taste slightly stronger before adding rice because it will mellow as it bakes.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: West African
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 135mg