Description
This Spicy Nigerian Chicken Stew is a hearty, flavorful dish packed with aromatic spices and fiery scotch bonnet peppers. Slow-simmered to perfection with tender chicken pieces, fresh vegetables, and a rich tomato base, this stew is a beloved staple of Nigerian cuisine. Serve it hot with rice or bread for a comforting and spicy meal that warms both body and soul.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 1 kg chicken, cut into pieces
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 2 carrots, sliced
Base and Spices
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons ginger, minced
- 2-3 scotch bonnet peppers, blended
- 1 can (400g) chopped tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- Salt to taste
- 2 cups chicken broth
Instructions
- Heat oil: Heat the vegetable oil in a pot over medium heat, preparing the base for the stew.
- Sauté onions: Add the chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent and soft, which releases their sweetness and flavor.
- Add garlic and ginger: Stir in the minced garlic and ginger and cook for about 2 minutes to infuse the oil and create an aromatic foundation.
- Add peppers and tomatoes: Stir in the blended scotch bonnet peppers, chopped tomatoes, and tomato paste, mixing everything well to combine the flavors.
- Season: Add thyme, curry powder, and salt, then cook this mixture for 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and deepen in flavor.
- Add chicken: Incorporate the chicken pieces into the pot, coating them well with the spicy tomato sauce.
- Add broth and boil: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the stew to a boil, ensuring all ingredients are heated through.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat and let the stew simmer gently for 30 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook thoroughly and the flavors to meld.
- Add vegetables: Add the chopped bell pepper and sliced carrots, cooking for an additional 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still vibrant.
- Serve: Serve the spicy Nigerian chicken stew hot, ideally paired with steamed rice or fresh bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Notes
- Adjust the number of scotch bonnet peppers depending on your heat preference, as these chilies are very spicy.
- For a richer stew, you can marinate the chicken with some spices beforehand.
- To make it gluten free, ensure the chicken broth used does not contain gluten additives.
- This stew keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and even tastes better the next day as flavors develop.
- Serve with rice, fufu, or bread to enjoy the stew fully.
