Spicy rice with peas is a delicious easy to make side. Made all in one pan this 20-minute dish goes great with chicken, fish, or halloumi!
Folks, look no further than this spicy rice with peas side dish if you'll looking to make your main meal accompaniments more interesting!
I'll be the first to admit that sometimes I'm pretty boring when it comes to thinking up what I'm going to pair with dinner.
Normally I'll just reach into the freezer and grab out the frozen veg.
A few minutes in the microwave and the veg is done done and that's it.
Filling? Yes but not very inspiring or interesting. Plus, sometimes, quite bland and boring!
So here is a great side dish that uses a pepper, rice, some frozen peas and a whole selection of store cupboard spices to make a delicious and healthy side dish.
Yes I'll admit it. In many ways it does resemble Nandos rice but of course with a few twists and tweaks to make it my own.....
Also, this is home made, so there's no artificial ingredients and no extra sweeteners!
The result of making this spicy rice with peas recipe is a tasty mildly spiced rice side dish.
You can easily pair this with just about any main meal.
Here in my photographs I paired it with some garlic and cream cheese stuffed mushrooms but if you've nothing to pair it with you could even just eat this vegetarian side dish on its own.
Follow the 5 easy steps below and in just 30 minutes you'll have this delicious side ready to serve!
How To Make Spicy Rice With Peas
- Add the oil to a medium sized saucepan. Make the stock. Sauté the onion. Then the garlic.
- Stir in the red pepper and spices.
- Stir in the rice then the stock. Bring to the boil then turn down to simmer for 10 minutes until rice is cooked. Turn off heat.
- Stir in the frozen peas. Cover pan and allow to sit for about 5 minutes until the peas are cooked through.
- Season to taste, garnish with coriander and serve.
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Spicy Rice with Peas Recipe
This spicy rice with peas recipe can eaily be frozen.
It can also easily be reheated on your stove or in the microwave.
I’d love to hear what you think of my recipe in the comments below and please do rate my recipe 5* if you like it! 🙂
Spicy Rice with Peas Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- ½ red pepper diced
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ teaspoon chilli flakes
- ½ teaspoon medium curry powder
- 180 g basmati rice
- 450 ml vegetable stock
- 150 g frozen peas
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoon fresh coriander chopped
Instructions
- Gently heat the oil in a medium sized saucepan. Add onion and sauté for 2 - 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and sauté for a further minute.
- Stir in the red pepper, turmeric, chilli flakes and medium curry powder. Stir for 1 minute.
- Add the rice, stirring for 1 minute then add the stock, bring to the boil, then turn down to simmer for about 10 minutes until the rice is cooked. Add more boiled rice if required. Turn off heat.
- Stir in the peas, cover the saucepan and allow to sit for about 5 minutes until the peas are cooked through.
- Season to taste, top with coriander and serve.
David @ Spiced
So I'm not familiar with Nando's - I'm assuming that's a packaged rice over there in the UK? Either way, I'm on board with this recipe for sure! Like you, I often forget about side dishes. Frozen veggies with a bit of shredded cheese and a spoonful of tomato sauce is one of my go-to's. I used to eat that all the time before I met Laura. Anyways, now I want to make a batch of this spicy rice! It sounds delicious, and I'm craving rice now...and it's only 7:30am here. Haha. Hope you guys are doing well!
Neil
Hi David. Nando's is a popular chicken restaurant chain here. They do all sorts of chicken recipes and burgers. Their Spicy Rice is a particularly popular side dish but I'm pretty sure that because it tastes so good it might have some extra additives or artificial sweeteners in it so it's best to make this home made healthier version!
Chef Mimi
This sounds wonderful, and it’s so pretty! I love that you made it spicy. I always have frozen peas on hand. They’re just so handy! Treat dish.
Neil
You're right Mimi. Those frozen peas in the freezer are just so handy! Rather than just reach for them and have them on their own though, this time I've spiced them up with this fab Spicy Rice dish. Glad you like it thanks for the comment! 🙂
Katerina
This rice side dish sounds delightful, Neil, and I can think of so many mains it would go beautifully with! I love the idea of pairing it with some freshly grilled or pan fried haloumi too - yum! This is definitely going on my "to make" list. Thanks for sharing and hope you've been well.
Neil
Thanks Katerina. I've had this with halloumi several times and it's my favourite pairing! Hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
Frozen vegetables are great, and we always have a couple of large packages in the freezer, especially during fall and winter. But you're right sometimes you just need to jazz it up, and some starchy carbs like rice, couscous, or orzo is a great way to go! Love this delicious version - it's perfect with cold nights are approaching fast.
Neil
Thanks Ben. This is a nice and easy dish to quicky make frozen peas much more interesting. Definitely one for the cold nights which are approaching fast as you say.
Laura
Neil, this is a great side dish! Like you, I find myself reaching for frozen broccoli and just microwaving it! It sure would be better tucked into some spicy rice! Cant wait to try this lovely dish!
Neil
Same here Laura! Ha ha! That frozen broccoli gets a bit boring night after night doesn't it? This spicy rice with peas side will soon give your dinners a change up! Thanks for your comment. Hope you are well. 🙂
Julie
I’ve made this dish twice, just had it tonight and added cooked chicken at the same time as the peas and the family all enjoyed it much more this time. It’s quick, easy and cheap to make.
I’ve made a few of Neil’s dishes now. I’m so glad I found Neil’s page sad it gets so difficult to find inspiration for healthy meals.
Thanks Neil
Neil
Great idea to add cooked chicken to this dish Julie! I haven't made this one in a while but think I will soon and try that too!
I'm glad you like my website and recipes. Hope you get a chance to try some of the others dishes out. Thanks for making, commenting and rating my recipe! Neil
cheryl watson
Really lovely taste, have made it all today to add to my salad prep throughout the week. I managed to get 8 servings with it being a side to my salad, love the kick it has which will certainly brighten up my lunches.
Neil
That's a great idea to make it in bulk and add it as a side to your salad, Cheryl! So glad you like it. Thanks for taking the time to make, comment and rate the recipe too!