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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Incorporate tomato sauce and aromatic spices into the vegetable mixture. Gently simmer the combination for 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
- Pour of rich chicken stock into the pot. Carefully return browned chicken thighs to the liquid, ensuring they are partially submerged.
- 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.
- Gradually whisk smooth peanut butter into the simmering stew, stirring continuously until completely integrated and sauce reaches a luxurious, creamy consistency.
- 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