Botswana Chicken and Okra Stew (Koko le Naledi)
A hearty and flavorful stew featuring tender chicken pieces simmered with okra, tomatoes, onions, and a blend of aromatic spices, often served with a starch like pap or rice.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Chicken(cut into pieces, bone-in or boneless)
- 500 g Okra(trimmed and sliced)
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 400 g Tomatoes(canned diced or fresh chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 tablespoon Ginger(grated)
- 3 tablespoons Vegetable oil
- 500 ml Chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons Curry powder
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Coriander
- 0.5 teaspoon Turmeric
- 1 teaspoon Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides. Remove chicken and set aside.
- 2
Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
💡 Tip: Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. - 3
Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 4
Add curry powder, cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Stir well and cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.
- 5
Return the browned chicken to the pot. Add diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Season with salt and black pepper.
💡 Tip: If using fresh tomatoes, cook them down slightly before adding broth. - 6
Bring the stew to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
- 7
Add the sliced okra to the pot. Stir well, cover, and continue to simmer for another 10-15 minutes, or until the okra is tender and the sauce has thickened.
💡 Tip: Avoid over-stirring the okra to prevent it from becoming too mushy. - 8
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro before serving.
💡 Tip: Serve hot with pap, rice, or a side salad.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a thicker stew, you can mash some of the cooked okra against the side of the pot.
- ✓If you don't have fresh ginger, you can use 1 teaspoon of ground ginger.
- ✓Adjust the spice levels to your preference by adding more or less curry powder.
🔄 Variations
- Add a diced bell pepper along with the onions for extra flavor and color.
- For a spicier kick, add a chopped chili pepper with the garlic and ginger.
- Substitute chicken with turkey or firm fish.