Nigerian Chicken Stew Recipe
This Nigerian Chicken Stew is a flavorful and hearty dish featuring tender bone-in chicken simmered in a rich, spicy tomato-based sauce. The stew is infused with aromatic spices like curry powder, thyme, and paprika, complemented by the heat from scotch bonnet peppers. Perfect for pairing with white rice, fried plantains, or cauliflower rice, this traditional West African recipe is easy to prepare and bursting with vibrant flavors.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Nigerian
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
- 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 the chopped onion. Mix well to coat evenly and let it marinate for 30 minutes to enhance the flavors.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat 1/4 cup of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces and sear them until browned on both sides. This process locks in flavor and adds a nice color. Once browned, set the chicken aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a blender, combine the Roma tomatoes, red bell pepper, small red onion, and scotch bonnet peppers. Blend into a smooth mixture to form the base of the stew.
- Cook the Sauce: Using the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and fry the tomato paste for 2 minutes until it darkens slightly, which adds depth to the flavor. Then pour in the blended tomato and pepper mixture. Stir and cook the sauce for about 10 minutes to reduce and thicken.
- Season the Stew: Add garlic powder, ginger powder, the bouillon cube, and salt to taste into the sauce. Stir well to combine all seasonings, ensuring the sauce is flavorful.
- Simmer: Return the seared chicken pieces to the skillet with the sauce. Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cook covered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked and the stew has thickened nicely.
- Serve: Serve the Nigerian chicken stew hot alongside white rice, fried plantains, or cauliflower rice for a delicious, comforting meal.
Notes
- Adjust the number of scotch bonnet peppers depending on your preferred spice level.
- Bone-in chicken adds flavor and keeps the meat tender; however, boneless chicken can be used for convenience.
- Letting the chicken marinate enhances the taste significantly.
- Searing the chicken adds a rich flavor and seals in juices.
- The stew thickens naturally during the simmering process, but you can uncover it toward the end to reduce further if desired.
- For a gluten-free dish, ensure your bouillon cube is certified gluten-free.
Keywords: Nigerian Chicken Stew, West African Chicken Stew, Spicy Chicken Stew, Tomato Chicken Stew, African Recipes, Comfort Food
Find it online: https://freshrecipehub.com/nigerian-chicken-stew-recipe/
