Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil to the pan. Add the diced onion to the pan and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent.
Add the minced garlic to the pan and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the ground beef and cook it, breaking it apart with a spatula, until it's browned and cooked.
Once the beef is cooked, add the diced bell pepper and diced to the pan and cook for another 2-3 minutes until softened.
Add ginger, tomato paste, pepper, and thyme. Add paprika, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 2-3 minutes before stirring in the rice.
Pour the chicken broth and bay leaves, and combine all the ingredients.
Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan with a lid and let it simmer gently for 15-20 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the liquid has been absorbed.
Once the rice is cooked, remove the pan from the heat.