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African Chicken Peanut Stew is a hearty and flavorful West African classic made with tender chicken, rich peanut butter, tomatoes, red bell peppers, and a blend of warm spices. This comforting and protein-rich stew is creamy, satisfying, and surprisingly easy to prepare. Whether served with traditional fufu, white rice, or low-carb alternatives like cauliflower rice, it’s a nourishing meal that’s sure to impress your family.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

1.5 lb chicken thighs
½ cup tomato sauce
1 red bell pepper (chopped)
½ cup peanut butter
¼ cup olive oil
½ onion (chopped)
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon bouillon powder
2 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

Directions

Wash and pat dry the chicken. Mix salt and black pepper in a small bowl and rub it onto both sides of each chicken piece.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the chicken on both sides. Set aside.
In a large soup pot, heat ¼ cup olive oil. Add chopped onions and red bell pepper and sauté for a few minutes.
Add tomato sauce, cayenne pepper, bouillon powder, and chicken stock. Simmer for a few minutes.
Add the browned chicken pieces, stir, and simmer for about 10 minutes. Taste and add more salt if needed.
Stir in the peanut butter until fully incorporated and simmer until the stew thickens.
Serve hot and enjoy!

Nutrients

Calories: 504 kcal per serving
Carbohydrates: 10 g
Protein: 26 g
Fat: 41 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Cholesterol: 114 mg
Sodium: 496 mg
Potassium: 491 mg
Fiber: 3 g
Sugar: 3 g
Vitamin A: 714 IU
Vitamin C: 25 mg
Calcium: 16 mg
Iron: 1 mg

The Magic Behind African Chicken Peanut Stew

The true magic of African Chicken Peanut Stew lies in its unique and irresistible flavor profile. The base of the stew starts with a fragrant sauté of onions and peppers, building layers of flavor before being enriched with tomato sauce and warm spices like cayenne and black pepper. The addition of creamy peanut butter adds a lush, nutty richness that balances the acidity of the tomatoes and the heat of the spices. The chicken, browned beforehand, absorbs all these bold flavors while maintaining its tenderness. As the stew simmers, the sauce thickens beautifully, creating a velvety consistency that clings to every piece of meat, offering a mouthful of savory goodness in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Dish

African Chicken Peanut Stew is the kind of meal that comforts and satisfies on every level. It’s rich and creamy without being heavy, full of bold flavors that feel exciting yet familiar. It’s also incredibly versatile—perfect for serving over white rice, fufu, or even low-carb alternatives like cauliflower rice. The recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require hard-to-find ingredients, making it accessible for home cooks of all levels. Plus, it’s highly customizable; you can adjust the spice level, add vegetables, or use different cuts of chicken depending on your preference. Whether you’re looking for a new weeknight favorite or something special for a gathering, this stew will quickly find a place in your rotation.

Tips for Making the Best African Chicken Peanut Stew

To achieve the best flavor, it’s important to brown the chicken thoroughly before adding it to the stew. Browning adds depth and a slightly smoky flavor that enhances the final dish. Use a good-quality, natural peanut butter without added sugars or oils for the best texture and taste. Allow the stew to simmer gently after adding the peanut butter to let the flavors meld and the sauce thicken properly. Taste as you go, adjusting the salt and cayenne pepper to suit your preferences. If you prefer a thicker stew, you can simmer it uncovered for a few additional minutes, letting the sauce reduce to your desired consistency.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One common mistake when making African Chicken Peanut Stew is not browning the chicken properly. Skipping this step can result in a less flavorful stew, as the browning process develops a rich depth of flavor that carries through the entire dish. Another mistake is using sweetened or highly processed peanut butter, which can throw off the balance of flavors. Always opt for natural peanut butter to maintain the savory integrity of the dish. Overcooking the chicken can also lead to dry meat, so it’s important to monitor the simmering process carefully. Finally, adding too much cayenne without tasting can make the dish overwhelmingly spicy; it’s best to start with less and add more as needed.

Serving Suggestions

African Chicken Peanut Stew is traditionally served with fufu, a doughy West African staple made from cassava, plantains, or yams. The soft, starchy fufu is perfect for scooping up the rich, nutty sauce. If fufu isn’t available, steamed white rice is a fantastic substitute, absorbing all the delicious juices of the stew. For a lighter option, cauliflower rice makes a great low-carb alternative. You can also serve it with warm flatbreads or couscous for a slightly different texture. To add freshness and contrast, consider serving the stew with a side of crisp cucumber salad or lightly sautéed greens like spinach or kale.

Adaptations and Variations

There are many ways to personalize African Chicken Peanut Stew to suit your tastes. If you prefer a vegetarian version, you can substitute the chicken with chickpeas, tofu, or hearty vegetables like sweet potatoes and eggplant. Adding leafy greens like spinach or collard greens towards the end of cooking can boost the nutritional value and add color. You can also adjust the level of heat by using more or fewer spices, or by adding fresh chilies if you like it extra spicy. For a more luxurious stew, a splash of coconut milk can be added alongside the peanut butter to create an even creamier texture. The recipe is wonderfully flexible, making it easy to adapt to your dietary preferences or what you have on hand.

The Cultural Roots of African Chicken Peanut Stew

Peanut-based stews have a long and rich history in West African cuisine, where peanuts (often called groundnuts) are a staple ingredient. Originating in countries such as Senegal, Ghana, and Nigeria, peanut stews are a reflection of the region’s agricultural heritage and culinary ingenuity. These stews are beloved not just for their hearty, nourishing qualities but also for the way they bring families and communities together. Each region and household has its own variations, incorporating local ingredients and spices to create unique versions of this comforting classic. African Chicken Peanut Stew is a beautiful example of how food can be deeply tied to culture, history, and communal experiences.

Nutritional Information

Each serving of African Chicken Peanut Stew provides approximately 504 calories, making it a hearty and satisfying meal. It delivers 26 grams of protein from the chicken, making it an excellent source of muscle-building nutrients. The dish is rich in healthy fats, with 41 grams of fat per serving, largely from the peanut butter and olive oil, which offer beneficial monounsaturated fats. Carbohydrates are relatively low at 10 grams per serving, making it a viable option for those following a lower-carb diet. The stew also provides essential vitamins and minerals, including potassium, vitamin C, and iron, contributing to overall health and well-being.

Conclusion

African Chicken Peanut Stew is a soul-satisfying dish that offers a perfect blend of hearty textures, bold flavors, and rich cultural heritage. With its creamy peanut butter sauce, tender chicken, and vibrant spices, it delivers comfort and nourishment in every spoonful. Simple enough for a weeknight dinner yet impressive enough for entertaining, this dish is versatile, customizable, and deeply flavorful. Whether you’re new to West African cuisine or a longtime fan, making this stew at home offers a delicious way to explore the traditions and tastes of a rich culinary culture. Once you experience the comforting embrace of African Chicken Peanut Stew, it’s sure to become a cherished favorite at your table.