Description
Home cooks discover this hearty Nigerian chicken stew as a spicy, comforting classic from West Africa. Simmered with tomatoes, peppers, and aromatic spices, the dish invites you to savor rich cultural flavors in one memorable meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 grams) chicken thighs
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken stock
- 3 tomatoes
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 habanero pepper
- 1 onion
- 1 tsp bouillon powder
- ½ tsp thyme
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp curry powder
- ½ tsp salt
- Extra salt for chicken rub
- Extra black pepper for chicken rub
Instructions
- Prep Chicken: Meticulously cleanse chicken thighs, patting dry and massaging with aromatic seasonings to infuse deep flavor profiles.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a substantial skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully caramelize chicken pieces, creating a golden-brown crust that seals in succulence and develops rich flavor complexities.
- Create Sauce Base: Remove chicken, then blend tomatoes, bell peppers, habanero, and onion into a vibrant, smooth puree using a high-powered blender.
- Build Flavor Foundation: In the same skillet, sauté remaining onion until translucent, releasing sweet aromatic notes. Pour in blended mixture, allowing sauce to reduce and concentrate its flavor profile.
- Combine and Simmer: Return browned chicken to the skillet, introducing chicken stock, bouillon, spices, and herbs. Gently stir to distribute seasonings, then cover and reduce heat to low, allowing the stew to gently simmer and meld flavors.
- Finalize Dish: Confirm chicken’s tenderness and sauce’s ideal consistency. Adjust seasonings to achieve a perfectly balanced flavor harmony. Optional: Modulate heat intensity by adjusting habanero quantity or selecting milder pepper alternatives.
Notes
- Chicken Prep Power: Pat chicken completely dry to ensure perfect browning and prevent steaming, which compromises crispy exterior.
- Browning Brilliance: Achieve golden-brown crust by using high heat and avoiding overcrowding the skillet, allowing each piece space to caramelize effectively.
- Pepper Potency: Habanero delivers intense heat, so adjust quantity based on personal spice tolerance; use gloves when handling to prevent skin irritation.
- Sauce Sophistication: Let sauce simmer uncovered during final stages to concentrate flavors and reach desired thickness, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Nigerian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 525
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 730 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 36 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg