Fijian Chicken and Pineapple Stew
A sweet and savory chicken stew featuring tender chicken pieces simmered with pineapple chunks in a flavorful broth, often incorporating local spices and vegetables.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Chicken thighs(bone-in, skin-on, cut into serving pieces)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1 large Onion(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 inch piece Ginger(grated)
- 1 tsp Turmeric powder
- 1 tsp Coriander powder
- 0.5 tsp Cumin powder
- 0.5 tsp Chilli powder(or to taste)
- 2 medium Tomatoes(chopped)
- 2 cups Chicken broth
- 1 cup Coconut milk(full-fat)
- 1 cup Pineapple chunks(canned, drained, reserve juice)
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground, or to taste)
- 2 tbsp Fresh cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and sear until golden brown on all sides. Remove chicken and set aside.
- 2
Add chopped onion to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 3
Stir in turmeric, coriander, cumin, and chili powder. Cook for 1 minute until spices are fragrant.
- 4
Add chopped tomatoes to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to break down, about 5-7 minutes.
- 5
Return the chicken to the pot. Pour in chicken broth and coconut milk. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- 6
Bring the stew to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- 7
Stir in the drained pineapple chunks. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for another 5-10 minutes, uncovered, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- 8
Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving. Serve hot, ideally with steamed rice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a thicker stew, you can mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of reserved pineapple juice and stir it into the stew during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- ✓Adjust chili powder to your preferred level of heat.
- ✓If you don't have fresh ginger, 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger can be used.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add other vegetables like diced carrots, bell peppers, or green beans along with the tomatoes.
- For a richer flavor, use chicken thighs with bones and skin.
- A splash of lime juice at the end can add a bright, fresh note.