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African Chicken Peanut Stew


  • Author: Sophia
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the Stew:

  • 2 pounds bone-in, skinless chicken thighs or drumsticks (or boneless if preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for spice)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (unsweetened and unsalted)
  • 4 cups chicken broth (low sodium)
  • 2 cups diced sweet potatoes (about 1 medium sweet potato)
  • 1 cup chopped carrots (about 2 medium carrots)
  • 1 cup chopped greens (collard greens, spinach, or kale)

For Garnish:

  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
  • Roasted peanuts, roughly chopped (optional)
  • Lime wedges

For Serving:

  • Steamed white or brown rice
  • Flatbread or fufu

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

  1. Season the Chicken: Sprinkle the chicken pieces with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  2. Brown the Chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chicken and brown on all sides, about 5–7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

  1. Cook the Onions: In the same pot, add the diced onions and sauté for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened and translucent.
  2. Add Garlic and Ginger: Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger. Cook for another 1–2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 3: Build the Flavor Base

  1. Toast the Spices: Add the cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, coriander, and black pepper. Stir for 30 seconds to toast the spices and release their aroma.
  2. Add Tomatoes: Stir in the diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook for 2–3 minutes, breaking up the tomatoes with the back of a spoon.

Step 4: Incorporate the Peanut Butter

  1. Blend Peanut Butter: Whisk the peanut butter into the pot, ensuring it’s fully incorporated with the tomato mixture.
  2. Add Broth: Gradually pour in the chicken broth, stirring constantly to create a smooth, rich sauce.

Step 5: Simmer the Stew

  1. Add Chicken and Vegetables: Return the browned chicken to the pot along with the sweet potatoes and carrots. Stir to combine.
  2. Simmer: Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.

Step 6: Add Greens and Adjust Seasoning

  1. Add Greens: Stir in the chopped greens and let them cook for 5 minutes until wilted.
  2. Taste and Adjust: Taste the stew and adjust the salt, pepper, or cayenne to your liking.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

  1. Plate the Stew: Ladle the stew over steamed rice or serve it with flatbread.
  2. Garnish: Sprinkle with fresh cilantro or parsley and roasted peanuts. Serve with lime wedges for a bright, tangy finish.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
  • Calories: 420
  • Sugar: 7g
  • Fat: 25g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 30g