Poulet à la Banane Plantain
A flavorful Congolese dish featuring chicken simmered in a rich sauce with ripe plantains, tomatoes, and aromatic spices. This dish offers a delightful balance of savory and sweet flavors, with the plantains becoming tender and slightly caramelized.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Chicken pieces(bone-in, skin-on, cut into serving pieces)
- 3 large Ripe plantains(peeled and cut into thick rounds)
- 2 medium Onions(chopped)
- 400 g Tomatoes(crushed or finely chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 tablespoon Ginger(grated)
- 3 tablespoons Vegetable oil
- 500 ml Chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Thyme(dried)
- 1 piece Bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 0.25 cup Coriander leaves(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season the chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper.
💡 Tip: Allow chicken to sit with seasoning for 10 minutes. - 2
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides until golden. Remove chicken and set aside.
- 3
Add the chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- 4
Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 5
Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 5-7 minutes.
- 6
Return the chicken to the pot. Add the chicken broth, dried thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes.
- 7
Add the plantain rounds to the pot, ensuring they are submerged in the sauce. Cover and continue to simmer for another 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the plantains are tender and slightly caramelized.
💡 Tip: Avoid stirring too vigorously to prevent plantains from breaking apart. - 8
Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves before serving.
💡 Tip: Serve hot with rice or fufu.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Use very ripe plantains for a sweeter, softer result.
- ✓Adjust the amount of chili if you prefer a spicier dish.
- ✓For a richer sauce, you can add a tablespoon of peanut butter towards the end of cooking.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add some sliced bell peppers along with the onions for extra color and flavor.
- Substitute turkey or firm white fish for chicken.