Djiboutian Chicken and Vegetable Stew (Maraq Digaag)
A hearty and flavorful chicken stew, rich with aromatic spices and tender vegetables, representing a common home-style dish in Djibouti. It's often served with rice or flatbread.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Chicken(cut into pieces)
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 2 medium Onions(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic cloves(minced)
- 4 medium Tomatoes(diced)
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Coriander
- 0.5 tsp Cardamom
- 0.25 tsp Cloves(ground)
- 0.25 tsp Cayenne pepper(or to taste)
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 2 medium Potatoes(peeled and cubed)
- 2 medium Carrots(peeled and sliced)
- 4 cups Water or chicken broth
- 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- 2
Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 3
Stir in the diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to break down slightly.
- 4
Add the chicken pieces to the pot and brown them on all sides. This should take about 7-10 minutes.
- 5
Stir in the cumin, coriander, cardamom, ground cloves, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the spices are fragrant.
- 6
Add the cubed potatoes and sliced carrots to the pot. Pour in the water or chicken broth, ensuring the ingredients are mostly submerged. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- 7
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the stew simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
- 8
Uncover and check the consistency. If the stew is too thin, you can simmer uncovered for a few more minutes to reduce the liquid. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- 9
Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, use chicken broth instead of water.
- ✓Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your preferred level of heat.
- ✓This stew can be made ahead of time and reheats well.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers.
- For a spicier kick, add a finely chopped green chili pepper along with the garlic.