The Best African Chicken Peanut Stew Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Robust African chicken peanut stew represents a culinary journey through vibrant flavors and rich cultural traditions.

Warm spices and creamy textures intertwine, creating a deeply satisfying meal that speaks to comfort and nourishment.

Regional ingredients dance together, redefineing simple components into a complex and hearty dish.

Slow-simmered and packed with nutritional goodness, this stew connects you to generations of home cooking across diverse African landscapes.

Tender chicken melds seamlessly with velvety peanut sauce, offering a harmonious blend of protein and nutty depth.

Aromatic seasonings whisper stories of family gatherings and time-honored cooking techniques passed down through generations.

Unexpected flavor combinations promise a delightful and memorable dining experience that transports you beyond ordinary meals.

Why This Stew Is a Bowl of Comfort

• Savor Global Comfort: This African chicken peanut stew blends international flavors with homey, warming ingredients that transport your taste buds across continents while delivering ultimate comfort food satisfaction.
• Protein-Packed Nutrition Boost: Tender chicken thighs and creamy peanut butter combine to create a protein-rich meal that fills you up and provides sustained energy without feeling heavy or greasy.
• Simple Cooking, Complex Flavor: The recipe requires minimal technical skills but delivers incredible depth through strategic layering of spices, vegetables, and rich ingredients, making it perfect for home cooks of all experience levels.
• One-Pot Wonder Convenience: Preparation involves straightforward steps using a single pot, reducing kitchen cleanup and allowing busy home chefs to create a restaurant-quality meal without complicated techniques or excessive dishes.

Gather These for a Flavorful African Feast

• Chicken Thighs: Bone-in, skin-on cuts provide rich flavor and tender meat for the stew. Dark meat works best for a more succulent result.
• Chicken Stock: Provides deep liquid base and enhances overall chicken flavor. Homemade or low-sodium store-bought works well.

• Onions, Red Bell Pepper: Create a flavor foundation with sweet and slightly sharp notes. Fresh, firm vegetables ensure best taste.
• Tomato Sauce: Adds acidity and rich color to the stew. Smooth, unseasoned sauce recommended.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing out the dish's depth. Kosher or sea salt preferred.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing and browning, adds subtle richness. Extra virgin olive oil provides best flavor.
• Peanut Butter: Signature ingredient that creates creamy texture and nutty African-style taste. Natural, unsweetened peanut butter works best.
• Spices (not specified in original recipe): Potential additions like paprika, cayenne, or ginger can enhance traditional African flavor profile.

Stirring Up Spicy, Creamy Chicken Richness

Step 1: Prepare Chicken

Rinse chicken thighs under cool water and pat completely dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and black pepper on both sides.

Step 2: Brown Chicken Pieces

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place chicken thighs in the pan and cook until golden brown on each side, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside on a clean plate.

Step 3: Create Flavor Base

• Chopped onions
• Diced red bell pepper

Add tomato sauce and aromatic spices. Stir and let simmer for 2-3 minutes to develop deep flavors.

Step 4: Build the Stew

Pour chicken stock into the pot. Gently place browned chicken thighs back into the liquid. Simmer for 10 minutes, allowing chicken to cook through and flavors to meld together. Taste and adjust salt as needed.

Step 5: Finish with Creamy Peanut Sauce

Slowly stir in smooth peanut butter until completely incorporated. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the stew reaches a thick, rich consistency. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon.

Serve hot, garnished with chopped cilantro or green onions if desired.

Tips for Balancing Heat, Cream, and Peanut

• Perfectly Brown Chicken: Use a heavy-bottomed skillet and ensure high heat to create a golden, crispy exterior that locks in flavor and creates delicious caramelization.
• Balance Peanut Butter Consistency: Warm the peanut butter slightly before adding to help it blend smoothly into the stew without creating lumps.
• Spice Layer Building: Toast spices briefly in the pot before adding liquid to enhance their depth and release maximum aromatic compounds.
• Simmer Slowly: Maintain a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil, to keep chicken tender and allow flavors to meld beautifully without breaking down meat texture.
• Customize Heat Level: Adjust spiciness by adding cayenne pepper or hot sauce incrementally, tasting as you go to control the final flavor profile.

Storing This Stew the Smart Way

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftover stew into airtight containers and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool the stew completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze: Pour cooled stew into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Label containers with the date for easy tracking.
• Reheat: Thaw frozen stew overnight in the refrigerator. Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of chicken stock if the stew seems too thick. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F before serving to guarantee food safety.

What Sides Soak Up Every Drop

• Pair with Vibrant Red Wine: Choose a medium-bodied Syrah or Grenache to complement the rich, nutty flavors of the African chicken peanut stew. These wines offer a perfect balance of fruitiness and spice that enhances the depth of the dish.
• Serve with Fluffy Coconut Rice: Create a creamy coconut rice side that absorbs the stew's intense sauce and provides a smooth textural contrast. The subtle sweetness of coconut perfectly matches the savory and slightly spicy notes of the chicken.
• Garnish with Fresh Herb Salad: Top the stew with a bright cilantro and mint salad to cut through the richness and add a fresh, zesty element. This light garnish brings a crisp, clean finish to the hearty, warm stew.
• Accompany with Crisp Ginger Beer: A chilled ginger beer offers a spicy, effervescent complement that refreshes the palate and matches the stew's African-inspired flavor profile. Its zingy kick balances the creamy peanut butter base beautifully.

Flavor Ideas from Across the Continent

• Spicy Jalapeño Kick: Add diced jalapeños during sautéing for an extra heat boost, complementing the creamy peanut base with a zesty pepper punch.
• Coconut Milk Fusion: Replace half the chicken stock with coconut milk, creating a richer, more tropical flavor profile that enhances the stew's complexity.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or chickpeas, maintaining the hearty texture while offering a plant-based alternative that absorbs the savory peanut sauce.
• Green Veggie Boost: Incorporate chopped kale or spinach during the final simmer, adding nutritional value and a vibrant green color to the classic African-inspired stew.

African Chicken Peanut Stew Recipe

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4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty African chicken peanut stew brings rich West African flavors to your kitchen. Comfort meets complexity with tender chicken, creamy peanut sauce, and warming spices that invite warmth and connection to traditions beyond borders.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) chicken thighs

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 0.5 onion, chopped

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 2 cups (475 milliliters) chicken stock or water
• 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) tomato sauce
• 0.5 cup (128 grams) peanut butter
• 0.25 cup (60 milliliters) olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon bouillon powder

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly cleanse chicken thighs with water, then meticulously pat dry using paper towels. Generously season both sides with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature. Carefully place chicken thighs and brown until golden and crisp, approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer browned chicken to a clean plate and reserve.
3. In a spacious soup pot, drizzle additional olive oil and introduce finely chopped onions and diced red bell peppers. Sauté until vegetables become translucent and slightly softened, about 4-5 minutes.
4. Incorporate tomato sauce and aromatic spices into the vegetable mixture. Gently simmer the combination for 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
5. Pour of rich chicken stock into the pot. Carefully return browned chicken thighs to the liquid, ensuring they are partially submerged.
6. Reduce heat and allow the stew to gently simmer for 10-12 minutes, enabling chicken to cook through and flavors to develop. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt as needed.
7. Gradually whisk smooth peanut butter into the simmering stew, stirring continuously until completely integrated and sauce reaches a luxurious, creamy consistency.
8. Remove from heat and let the stew rest for 5 minutes to allow further thickening and flavor melding before serving.

Notes

• This hearty West African-inspired stew delivers rich, complex flavors with tender chicken and a creamy peanut sauce.
• Browning chicken first creates a delicious golden crust and locks in deep, savory flavors before slow simmering.
• Tomato sauce and warm spices build an aromatic base that complements the nutty peanut butter perfectly.
• Choose bone-in chicken thighs for maximum tenderness and richer taste compared to leaner chicken breast.
• Simmer gently to prevent peanut butter from separating and to allow spices to meld together beautifully.
• Serve over steamed rice or with crusty bread to soak up the luxurious, creamy sauce.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: West African

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 480 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 140 mg