Description
Nigerian Chicken Stew is a vibrant and comforting dish combining juicy chicken, fresh tomatoes, and fragrant spices in a rich, flavorful tomato base. This easy-to-make stew is perfect for any day of the week, versatile enough to pair with rice, yam, or bread, and ideal for meal prep with delicious flavors that intensify overnight.
Ingredients
Chicken
- Chicken pieces (bone-in), 2 pounds
Vegetables
- Fresh tomatoes, 4 large
- Red bell peppers, 2 medium
- Onions, 2 medium
- Additional chopped onion for sautéing, 1 medium
Seasonings and Sauces
- Garlic and ginger paste (natural), 2 tablespoons
- Vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), 1 tablespoon
- Apple cider vinegar (natural), 1 tablespoon
- Ground paprika, 1 teaspoon
- Chili powder, 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Liquids and Thickening
- Vegetable or chicken broth, 1 cup
- Natural gelling agent, 1 teaspoon (as needed)
Cooking Oil
- Neutral plant oil (such as canola or vegetable oil), 3 tablespoons
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Rinse the chicken pieces and pat them dry. Roughly chop the onions, tomatoes, and red bell peppers. Blend the tomatoes, red bell peppers, and some onions into a smooth puree to form the stew base.
- Season and Brown the Chicken: Season the chicken with salt, pepper, ground paprika, and a bit of garlic and ginger paste (natural). Heat the neutral plant oil in a large pot. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides until golden and fragrant. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Cook the Base: In the same pot, sauté the chopped onions until soft and translucent. Add the remaining garlic and ginger paste (natural) and cook until fragrant. Pour in the blended tomato and pepper puree. Stir in the vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), apple cider vinegar (natural), and broth. Let the mixture simmer to deepen the flavors.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the browned chicken to the pot and mix well with the sauce. Sprinkle in the natural gelling agent gradually to thicken the stew to your preference. Cover and simmer on low heat until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened to desired consistency.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Stir well and serve piping hot alongside your choice of side dish such as rice, yam, or bread.
Notes
- Use fresh tomatoes for natural sweetness and vibrant color.
- Take your time browning the chicken to develop rich flavors.
- Adjust the chili powder gradually to suit your preferred spice level.
- Simmer the stew on low heat allowing flavors to meld and chicken to remain tender.
- Choose a quality vegetable or chicken broth to enhance sauce complexity.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Nigerian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Nigerian Chicken Stew, Nigerian stew, Chicken stew, Spicy chicken stew, African chicken recipe, Comfort food
