Chicken Peanut Stew with Sweet Potatoes
A rich and comforting West African-inspired stew featuring tender chicken, sweet potatoes, and a creamy peanut sauce. This dish is a flavorful representation of the region's love for peanut-based stews, often served with rice or tô.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Chicken(bone-in, cut into pieces (thighs and drumsticks recommended))
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 6 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 inch piece Ginger(grated)
- 2 medium Sweet potatoes(peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks)
- 400 g Crushed tomatoes(can)
- 4 cups Chicken broth
- 1 cup Creamy peanut butter(natural, unsweetened)
- 1 tsp Ground coriander
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne pepper(or to taste)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season the chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides, working in batches if necessary. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- 2
Add the chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 3
Stir in the sweet potato chunks and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 4
Add the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, peanut butter, ground coriander, and cayenne pepper. Stir well until the peanut butter is fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth.
- 5
Return the browned chicken to the pot. Bring the stew to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 45-60 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender, and the sweet potatoes are soft.
- 6
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. If the stew is too thick, add a little more chicken broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
- 7
Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro. This stew is delicious served with rice, couscous, or tô.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a smoother sauce, you can blend a portion of the stew (including sweet potatoes) and return it to the pot.
- ✓Adjust the cayenne pepper to control the level of spiciness.
- ✓Ensure you use natural peanut butter without added sugars for the best flavor.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add other vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or spinach.
- Use chicken thighs for a richer flavor and more tender meat.
- For a vegetarian version, replace chicken with firm tofu or extra vegetables and use vegetable broth.