Poulet à la Noix de Palme
Chicken in Palm Nut Sauce
A rich and flavorful chicken stew made with the pulp of palm nuts, creating a unique, savory sauce often served with rice or fufu. This dish is a staple in many Cameroonian households, particularly in the coastal regions.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Chicken(cut into pieces)
- 500 g Palm nut pulp(fresh or canned)
- 2 medium Onions(chopped)
- 400 g Tomatoes(crushed or pureed)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 inch piece Ginger(grated)
- 1 small Scotch bonnet pepper(optional, finely chopped)
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 500 ml Water(or as needed)
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(ground)
- 2 pieces Bay leaves
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat and brown the chicken on all sides. Remove chicken and set aside.
- 2
In the same pot, add the chopped onions and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- 3
Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and chopped scotch bonnet pepper (if using). Cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 4
Stir in the crushed tomatoes and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- 5
Add the palm nut pulp and water to the pot. Stir well to combine, ensuring there are no lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
💡 Tip: If using fresh palm nut pulp, you may need to extract the juice by boiling the nuts and then straining. - 6
Return the browned chicken pieces to the pot. Add the bay leaves. Cover and let it simmer gently for at least 1 hour, or until the chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
💡 Tip: Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Add more water if the sauce becomes too thick. - 7
Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Remove bay leaves before serving.
💡 Tip: The sauce should be rich and have a deep, savory flavor.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the palm nut pulp is well-processed to avoid fibrous bits.
- ✓Adjust the amount of scotch bonnet pepper according to your spice preference.
- ✓This dish pairs excellently with boiled plantains, rice, or fufu.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add smoked fish or dried shrimp for an extra layer of flavor.
- Incorporate other vegetables like spinach or okra towards the end of cooking.