Description
African Chicken Peanut Stew is a hearty and flavorful one-pot dish combining tender chicken thighs, sweet potatoes, and red bell pepper simmered in a rich, spiced tomato and peanut butter broth. This comforting stew offers a perfect balance of savory, spicy, and creamy elements, making it an ideal meal served over rice or quinoa for a wholesome and satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 pound (450g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- Cooked rice or quinoa (for serving)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Add Garlic and Ginger: Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Brown the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the pot and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Vegetables and Spices: Stir in the cubed sweet potato, chopped red bell pepper, diced tomatoes, smoked paprika, ground cumin, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper.
- Simmer the Stew: Pour in the chicken broth and bring everything to a simmer. Cover the pot and cook for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the sweet potatoes are tender.
- Incorporate Peanut Butter: Remove the stew from heat and stir in the peanut butter until it’s fully incorporated and creamy. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Serve: Serve the stew hot over cooked rice or quinoa, garnished with freshly chopped cilantro.
Notes
- Use creamy or chunky natural peanut butter depending on your texture preference.
- Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper based on your desired spice level or omit for a mild stew.
- Chicken thighs keep the stew moist and tender, but chicken breasts can be used as a leaner option.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with chickpeas and vegetable broth.
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days and taste great reheated.
