Gboma Dessi
Chicken and Spinach Stew
Gboma Dessi is a flavorful and hearty stew featuring tender chicken and wilted spinach in a rich, spiced tomato-based sauce. It's a comforting dish that highlights the use of fresh greens and aromatic spices common in Beninese cuisine.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Chicken thighs(boneless, skinless, cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 4 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 medium Onion(peeled and diced)
- 4 large Garlic cloves(peeled and minced)
- 1 inch knob Fresh ginger(grated)
- 1 to 3 Spicy peppers (e.g., habanero)(seeded and diced, adjust to taste)
- 2 medium Tomatoes(diced)
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 2 cups Chicken stock
- 0.25 cup Ground almonds or pumpkin seeds(for thickening)
- 1 pound Spinach(fresh, chopped)
- 1 tsp Ground anise seeds
- 1 tsp Ground cardamom
- 1 tsp Ground ginger
- 1 tsp Ground nutmeg
- 0.75 tsp Salt(or to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season the chicken pieces with ground anise, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
- 2
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and sauté until browned on all sides. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
- 3
Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the same pan. Add the diced onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- 4
Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 5
Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and diced spicy peppers. Cook for 3-5 minutes until the tomatoes begin to break down.
- 6
Pour in the chicken stock and stir in the ground almonds (or pumpkin seeds) to thicken the sauce. Bring to a simmer.
- 7
Return the browned chicken to the pan. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook through and the flavors to meld.
- 8
Stir in the chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes.
- 9
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed. Serve hot.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a spicier dish, use more spicy peppers.
- ✓Ground pumpkin seeds can be used as an alternative to ground almonds for thickening.
- ✓Ensure chicken is cooked through before adding spinach.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Beef or lamb can be used instead of chicken.
- Add other leafy greens like kale or collard greens along with or instead of spinach.