Nigerian Chicken Stew Recipe
Nigerian Chicken Stew is a flavorful and hearty dish featuring tender, marinated chicken simmered in a rich, spicy tomato-based sauce. This classic West African recipe combines aromatic spices, fresh peppers, and slow-cooked depth to create a comforting meal perfect for serving with rice or plantains.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering and Searing
- Cuisine: Nigerian
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2.5 lbs bone-in chicken (thighs or drumsticks), cleaned
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 onion, chopped
Sauce Ingredients
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large Roma tomatoes
- 1 large red bell pepper
- 1 small red onion
- 2 scotch bonnet peppers (or 1 for less heat)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1 bouillon cube
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a large bowl, season the cleaned chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, paprika, curry powder, thyme, and chopped onion. Mix well and let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and sear until browned on both sides, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a blender, combine the Roma tomatoes, red bell pepper, small red onion, and scotch bonnet peppers. Blend until smooth to create a vibrant pepper sauce.
- Cook the Sauce: In the same skillet used for the chicken, fry the tomato paste for 2 minutes to deepen its flavor. Pour in the blended tomato and pepper mixture, reduce heat to medium, and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid burning.
- Season the Stew: Add garlic powder, ginger powder, bouillon cube, and salt to taste to the sauce. Stir thoroughly to incorporate all seasonings and enrich the flavor profile.
- Simmer: Return the seared chicken pieces to the skillet, submerging them in the sauce. Cover and simmer on low heat for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked, tender, and the stew has thickened.
- Serve: Serve the Nigerian Chicken Stew hot with white rice, fried plantains, or cauliflower rice for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Adjust the number of scotch bonnet peppers to control the heat level.
- Bone-in chicken works best to keep the meat juicy and flavorful.
- Use fresh, ripe tomatoes for the best sauce taste.
- You can substitute vegetable oil with palm oil for a traditional flavor.
- Serve with your choice of sides like rice, plantains, or even yam.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 6 oz chicken and sauce)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Nigerian Chicken Stew, Nigerian recipe, chicken stew, West African chicken, spicy chicken stew, tomato stew, traditional Nigerian dish
Find it online: https://zarameals.com/nigerian-chicken-stew-recipe/
