One-Pot Nduja and Chicken Rice

A quick, easy, and deeply satisfying meal, One-Pot Nduja and Chicken Rice brings bold flavours together in a simple dish. With just one pot and 35 minutes, you’ll have a hearty dinner packed with smoky heat and savoury depth. The star ingredient, nduja, is a soft, spicy Calabrian sausage that melts into the dish, infusing every bite with its rich, fiery essence. When combined with tender chicken, sweet bell peppers, and fragrant basmati rice, the result is a meal that feels indulgent yet effortless. This dish is perfect for busy evenings, delivering maximum flavour with minimal fuss.

Table of Contents

• Ingredient Breakdown
• The Power of Nduja
• Why Chicken Thighs Work Best 
• Tips for Perfectly Cooked Rice
• Pairing and Serving
• How to Adjust Spice Levels 
• Want more One-Pot recipes?

Ingredient Breakdown

• Chicken thighs: Tender and juicy, they absorb the flavours beautifully.
• Sweet smoked paprika: Enhances the smoky depth of the dish.
• Extra-virgin olive oil: Adds richness and helps blend flavours.
• Red onion: Brings a mild sweetness and aromatic base.
• Nduja: The star ingredient, offering smoky heat and umami depth.
• Garlic: Infuses the dish with bold, savoury fragrance.
• Bell peppers: Add natural sweetness and vibrant colour.
• White basmati rice: Light, fluffy, and perfect for absorbing the spicy sauce.
• Chicken stock: Deepens the overall flavour and ensures a rich, cohesive dish.

The Power of Nduja

Nduja is a game-changer in the kitchen. This soft, spreadable sausage from Calabria, Italy, is unlike anything else. Made from pork, chilli, and a mix of spices, it delivers a distinctive blend of heat, saltiness, and umami. Unlike firmer cured meats, nduja melts into dishes, creating a rich, spicy base. In One-Pot Nduja and Chicken Rice, it infuses the rice and chicken with deep, smoky warmth, ensuring every bite is packed with flavour.

Cooking with nduja requires little effort. It softens almost instantly when heated, breaking down into a luscious, spicy paste. Pairing it with chicken thighs allows the meat to soak up its intense flavour, while the bell peppers provide a natural counterbalance with their sweetness. The end result is a dish that feels both rustic and refined, offering complex flavours with minimal work.

Why Chicken Thighs Work Best

When it comes to one-pot cooking, chicken thighs reign supreme. Unlike chicken breasts, which can dry out quickly, thighs remain juicy and tender even when simmered for extended periods. This One-Pot Nduja and Chicken Rice benefits from the natural fat content in chicken thighs, which enhances flavour while keeping the dish moist. 

Boneless, skinless thighs are ideal because they cook evenly and absorb the bold, spicy notes of the nduja without becoming overpowered. Another advantage of using thighs is their affordability compared to breasts, making them a budget-friendly option without compromising on taste. If you’re concerned about excess fat, trimming any large pieces before cooking can help maintain a balanced dish. Ultimately, chicken thighs deliver the best texture and flavour. They ensure every bite of this dish is succulent, satisfying, and perfectly infused with the spicy, smoky nduja oil.

Tips for Perfectly Cooked Rice

Cooking rice in a one-pot dish can be tricky. However a few simple tips ensure it turns out light, fluffy, and full of flavour. One-Pot Nduja and Chicken Rice benefits from the right rice-to-liquid ratio and proper heat control, ensuring perfect texture every time.

Using basmati rice is key. It cooks quickly and absorbs flavours well without becoming sticky. Rinsing the rice before cooking removes excess starch, preventing it from clumping. Once the stock is added, keeping the heat low and covering the pot allows for even absorption. Avoid stirring too much after the rice is added, as this can release more starch and create a mushy texture.

After cooking, letting the rice sit covered for a few minutes helps it settle and fully absorb the remaining moisture. Fluffing it gently with a fork ensures light, separate grains that hold onto the bold flavours of the dish.

Pairing and Serving

This dish is bold and satisfying on its own, but pairing it with the right sides and drinks can elevate the experience even further. A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette adds freshness, cutting through the richness of the nduja. Roasted vegetables, such as courgettes or aubergines, also complement the dish beautifully, adding extra texture and depth.

For a casual weeknight meal, simply serving One-Pot Nduja and Chicken Rice with a squeeze of fresh lemon and a sprinkle of chopped parsley adds brightness and contrast, making the flavours pop even more.

How to Adjust Spice Levels

Nduja brings a natural heat to this One-Pot Nduja and Chicken Rice, but not everyone enjoys spice at the same level. 

• If you love fiery dishes, you can enhance the heat by using hot smoked paprika instead of sweet, or by adding a pinch of chilli flakes. 
• For a milder version, reducing the nduja slightly while still keeping enough for depth of flavour is the best approach. Mixing it with a little extra olive oil before cooking can also help soften its intensity. 
• If serving this dish to a group with varying spice tolerances, offering cooling side options like Greek yoghurt or a simple cucumber salad can provide balance. 

The key is finding the right heat level for your taste without sacrificing the essential smokiness and umami of the nduja. By tweaking the spice level thoughtfully, this dish can be tailored to suit any palate while maintaining its rich, bold character.

Want more One-Pot recipes?

Sometimes, simplicity is exactly what we need. This One-Pot Nduja and Chicken Rice is just one of many one-pot recipes that make life easier. Whether it’s for a fuss-free midweek dinner, a standout yet effortless centrepiece, or meal prep that actually excites you. There are plenty more where this came from, so why not explore a few?

• One-Pot Thai Curry Chicken and Rice: This aromatic, flavour-packed meal combines the rich taste of Thai curry with tender chicken and perfectly cooked rice – all in one pot. The balance of creamy coconut cream, fragrant makrut lime, and a bit of spice from the curry paste creates a satisfying harmony that is nothing short of comforting. 
• One-Pot Saffron Chicken Rice: With a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time, this dish brings vibrant flavours and satisfying comfort to your table. Saffron, the star ingredient, infuses the rice with a beautiful golden hue and a subtle floral aroma that pairs perfectly with the rich, tender chicken thighs.

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