Nigerian Chicken Stew Recipe

There’s something magical about the aroma of Nigerian chicken stew wafting through the kitchen, isn’t there? It’s like a warm hug after a long day. This stew has been passed down through my family for generations, and every spoonful tells a story. I still remember my grandmother slaving over the stove, the vibrant red sauce simmering away, as the whole house filled with rich and inviting fragrances. This recipe not only satisfies your taste buds but also brings people together, creating memories and bonding over shared meals. Ready to dive in?

Why you’ll love this recipe

Picture this: tender chicken cocooned in a spicy, tangy sauce that dances on your palate. This Nigerian chicken stew is more than just a dish; it’s an experience. The secret lies in its blend of spices—each one carefully chosen to layer flavor and complexity. Curry powder, thyme, and a kiss of paprika bring warmth, while the scotch bonnet peppers add just the right amount of heat to wake up your senses.

It’s versatile, too! Whether you’re serving it over fluffy white rice, crispy fried plantains, or even zesty cauliflower rice, it delivers satisfaction that feels like home. Plus, it’s packed with protein from the chicken and vibrant colors and nutrients from the fresh vegetables. This stew checks all the boxes—it’s hearty, nutritious, and oh-so-delicious. Trust me, once you get a taste of this dish, you’ll wonder why it took you so long to try it!

Gather these ingredients

Let’s talk about what you need for this delightful dish. Here’s the lineup:

• 2.5 lbs bone-in chicken (thighs or drumsticks), cleaned: Bone-in chicken adds depth of flavor while cooking. You could go for skinless, but where’s the fun in that?
• 1 teaspoon salt: This essential seasoning enhances every other component in the dish.
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper: Just a whisper of heat to add a kick.
• 1 teaspoon paprika: It deepens the color and adds a subtle smokiness.
• 1 teaspoon curry powder: A must-have for that authentic Nigerian twist.
• 1 teaspoon thyme: Earthy undertones to complement the chicken beautifully.
• 1 onion, chopped: The aromatic backbone—don’t skip this!
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil: This helps achieve that perfect golden crust on the chicken.
• 4 large Roma tomatoes: The star of the sauce; you want luscious, ripe tomatoes.
• 1 large red bell pepper: Sweet and vibrant, it adds a pop of color.
• 1 small red onion: Adds sweetness without overpowering other flavors.
• 2 scotch bonnet peppers (or 1 for less heat): Spice lovers rejoice! Adjust according to your heat tolerance.
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste: Adds richness and depth, making the sauce irresistible.
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder: For that classic flavor parallel to fresh garlic.
• 1 teaspoon ginger powder: Adds a zing that brightens everything up.
• 1 bouillon cube: For umami central—this brings everything together.
• Salt to taste: Always adjust to your own liking!

Feel free to get creative with the ingredients! Can’t find scotch bonnet? Try jalapeños! No fresh tomatoes? Canned ones will do.

How this recipe comes together

Ready to create some kitchen magic? Here’s how we do it, step by step:

1. Season the Chicken: In a large bowl, mix the chicken with salt, black pepper, paprika, curry powder, thyme, and chopped onions. Let it marinate for about 30 minutes. Trust me, this makes the chicken so flavorful.

2. Sear the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, browning them for about 5-7 minutes on each side until you get those gorgeous golden-brown bits. Remove and set aside. This step brings so much flavor!

3. Blend the Sauce: In a blender, combine the tomatoes, red bell pepper, small red onion, and the scotch bonnet peppers. Blend until smooth. Imagine how vibrant and fresh this will be in your pot!

4. Fry Tomato Paste: In the same skillet, add your tomato paste. Fry it for 2 minutes until it darkens—this will deepen the flavor significantly.

5. Combine the Sauce: Pour in your blended mixture, reduce the heat to medium, and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally—you want everything to marry beautifully.

6. Add Spices: Sprinkle in garlic powder, ginger powder, and crumble in your bouillon cube. Stir well, and don’t forget to taste—adjust the salt if necessary.

7. Simmer the Chicken: Return the chicken to the skillet. Lower the heat and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes. This is where the magic happens; the chicken becomes tender and infuses every bit of the sauce with its flavor. You’ll know it’s ready when the stew thickens gloriously.

Best way to enjoy it

So, how do you plate this beauty? You can serve it hot over fluffy white rice, which soaks up all that luscious sauce like a sponge. If you’re in the mood for something crispy, fried plantains are a fantastic accompaniment with their sweet contrast to the spicy stew. Feel like going low-carb? Cauliflower rice is a great alternative that holds up beautifully!

And a little secret—if you have extra, it tastes even better the next day. The flavors meld, creating an entirely new symphony of taste.

Keeping leftovers fresh

Now, let’s talk leftovers. If you find yourself with some extra stew (which is unlikely, but hey, it could happen!), store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. This stew freezes beautifully, too! Just let it cool down fully, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It’ll keep for about 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge and heat it up on the stovetop or microwave.

Pro chef tips

• Don’t Rush the Marination: Seriously, let the chicken soak up those flavors. It makes a world of difference.
• Use Fresh Ingredients: The fresher your tomatoes and peppers, the better your stew will taste.
• Taste, Adjust, Repeat: Don’t be afraid to tweak the flavors as you go along. A pinch more salt or an extra splash of spice can elevate it to new heights.
• Don’t Skip the Browning: That golden color means flavor; don’t skip this step!

Creative Twists

Feel like experimenting? Here are some variations for you:

• Add Vegetables: Toss in chopped carrots, bell peppers, or even potatoes for extra nutrition.
• Coconut Milk: For a creamier stew, stir in some coconut milk towards the end of cooking—it adds a lovely sweetness and richness.
• Herbal Enhancements: Fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley can brighten up the dish at serving time.
• Protein Swap: If chicken isn’t your jam, this recipe works with beef or even fish!

Your questions answered

1. What can I serve with this stew?
   Serve with white rice, fried plantains, or even crusty bread to mop up the sauce.

2. Can I use boneless chicken?
   Yep! Boneless chicken will work but adjust the cooking time since it cooks faster.

3. How spicy is this dish?
   It’s spicy, but you can control it by reducing the number of scotch bonnets. Try one, taste it, and adjust to your liking.

4. Can this be made ahead of time?
   Absolutely, this stew tastes better the next day! Make it ahead, let it cool, and refrigerate.

5. How do I store leftovers?
   Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Indulging in this Nigerian chicken stew will not just satiate your hunger; it’ll feed your soul, too. The vibrant colors and comforting spice will lift your spirits, inviting you to savor every bite and share with loved ones. I can’t wait for you to experience this dish, so roll up your sleeves, have fun in the kitchen, and feel free to play around with flavors! Don’t forget to share your creations and let me know how it goes. Happy cooking!

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Nigerian Chicken Stew Recipe

Cooking Method: Sauteing, Simmering Courses: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course Recipe Keys: C Comfort Food Gluten Free High Protein Non Vegetarian Spicy

Difficulty: Intermediate Prep Time 30 mins Cook Time 60 mins Rest Time 9 mins Total Time 1 hr 39 mins

Cooking Temp: medium-high  C Servings: 6 Estimated Cost: $ 15 Calories: 450

Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Description

This Nigerian chicken stew is a flavorful blend of spices and tender chicken, simmered to perfection in a vibrant sauce. It's a dish that brings warmth and comfort to any table.

Main Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

Ingredients for Nigerian Chicken Stew

• 2.5 lbs bone-in chicken (thighs or drumsticks), cleaned (Bone-in chicken adds depth of flavor.)
• 1 teaspoon salt (Essential seasoning.)
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon black pepper (Adds a kick.)
• 1 teaspoon paprika (Deepens color and adds smokiness.)
• 1 teaspoon curry powder (Authentic Nigerian twist.)
• 1 teaspoon thyme (Earthy flavor.)
• 1 unit onion, chopped (Aromatic backbone.)
• ¹⁄₄ cup vegetable oil (For browning the chicken.)
• 4 large Roma tomatoes (Star of the sauce.)
• 1 large red bell pepper (Adds sweetness.)
• 1 small red onion (Adds sweetness.)
• 2 unit scotch bonnet peppers (Adjust for heat preference.)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste (Adds richness.)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (Classic flavor.)
• 1 teaspoon ginger powder (Brightens the dish.)
• 1 unit bouillon cube (Brings umami flavor.)
• to taste salt (Always adjust to preference.)

Cooking Instructions

Steps to Prepare Nigerian Chicken Stew

1. Season the Chicken

   In a large bowl, mix the chicken with salt, black pepper, paprika, curry powder, thyme, and chopped onions. Let it marinate for about 30 minutes.
   This enhances flavor.
   Mark as complete

2. Sear the Chicken

   Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, browning for about 5-7 minutes on each side.
   Remove and set aside.
   Mark as complete

3. Blend the Sauce

   In a blender, combine tomatoes, red bell pepper, small red onion, and scotch bonnet peppers. Blend until smooth.
   Vibrant and fresh sauce.
   Mark as complete

4. Fry Tomato Paste

   In the same skillet, add tomato paste and fry for 2 minutes until it darkens.
   Deepens flavor.
   Mark as complete

5. Combine the Sauce

   Pour in the blended mixture, reduce heat to medium, and let it simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
   Allows flavors to meld.
   Mark as complete

6. Add Spices

   Sprinkle in garlic powder, ginger powder, and crumble in the bouillon cube. Stir well and adjust salt if necessary.
   Mark as complete

7. Simmer the Chicken

   Return the chicken to the skillet, lower heat, and simmer for 25-30 minutes until tender.
   Stew will thicken.
   Mark as complete

Nutrition Facts

Servings 6

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 450kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 22g34%

Saturated Fat 5g25%

Trans Fat 0g

Cholesterol 120mg40%

Sodium 600mg25%

Potassium 800mg23%

Total Carbohydrate 30g10%

Dietary Fiber 4g16%

Sugars 6g

Protein 35g70%

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Vitamin A 750 IU

Vitamin C 60 mg

Calcium 60 mg

Iron 3 mg

Vitamin D 0 IU

Vitamin E 2 IU

Vitamin K 25 mcg

Thiamin 0.2 mg

Riboflavin 0.3 mg

Niacin 10 mg

Vitamin B6 1 mg

Folate 50 mcg

Vitamin B12 2 mcg

Biotin 0 mcg

Pantothenic Acid 1 mg

Phosphorus 300 mg

Iodine 0 mcg

Magnesium 50 mg

Zinc 2 mg

Selenium 30 mcg

Copper 0.2 mg

Manganese 0.5 mg

Chromium 0 mcg

Molybdenum 0 mcg

Chloride 0 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

For variations, add vegetables like carrots or coconut milk for creaminess.

Keywords: Nigerian, chicken stew, spicy, comfort food, dinner