Botswana Chicken and Mushrooms Stew
A hearty and flavorful stew featuring tender chicken pieces simmered with earthy mushrooms and aromatic spices, often served with a side of pap or rice.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Chicken pieces(bone-in, skin-on, cut into serving pieces)
- 300 g Mushrooms(sliced)
- 1 large Onion(chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 inch piece Ginger(grated)
- 400 g Tomatoes(chopped)
- 500 ml Chicken broth
- 2 tbsp Curry powder
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Coriander powder
- 0.5 tsp Turmeric
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- a handful Fresh cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- 2
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.
- 3
Add chopped onion to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- 4
Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 5
Add curry powder, cumin, coriander powder, and turmeric. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until spices are fragrant.
- 6
Add chopped tomatoes to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until they start to break down, about 5 minutes.
- 7
Return the browned chicken to the pot. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- 8
Bring the stew to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 30 minutes, or until chicken is tender.
- 9
Add the sliced mushrooms to the stew. Cover and cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until mushrooms are tender and the sauce has thickened.
- 10
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can marinate the chicken in spices for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- ✓If the stew is too thin, you can thicken it by mixing a tablespoon of cornstarch with a little water and stirring it into the simmering stew.
- ✓Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or carrots along with the mushrooms.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a splash of cream or coconut milk towards the end of cooking for a creamier texture.
- Incorporate a bay leaf during simmering for an extra layer of flavor.