Huku uye Dovi (Chicken in Peanut Sauce)
Huku uye Dovi, also known as Zimbabwean Peanut Chicken Stew, is a rich, comforting, and flavorful dish. It features tender chicken pieces simmered in a creamy, savory sauce made from peanut butter, tomatoes, onions, and a blend of aromatic spices. This dish highlights the importance of peanuts in Zimbabwean cuisine and is typically served with sadza (a stiff maize meal porridge) or rice.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 whole Chicken(cut into serving pieces (about 8-10 pieces))
- 1 cup Peanut butter(smooth, unsweetened)
- 2 medium Onions(finely chopped)
- 400 g Tomatoes(diced or crushed)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 tsp Ginger(grated)
- 2 cups Chicken broth or water
- 2 tbsp Cooking oil
- 1 tsp Curry powder
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 1 small Chili pepper (optional)(finely chopped, for heat)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
💡 Tip: You can also add a pinch of curry powder to the chicken seasoning. - 2
Heat the cooking oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- 3
Add the chopped onions to the same pot and sauté until softened and translucent.
- 4
Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 5
Add the diced tomatoes (and chili pepper, if using). Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have broken down and formed a sauce.
- 6
In a separate bowl, whisk the peanut butter with the chicken broth or water until smooth. This prevents lumps.
💡 Tip: Warm broth can help the peanut butter dissolve more easily. - 7
Pour the peanut butter mixture into the pot with the tomatoes and onions. Stir well to combine.
💡 Tip: Ensure the heat is on low to prevent the peanut butter from sticking or burning. - 8
Return the browned chicken pieces to the pot. Add the curry powder.
💡 Tip: Stir gently to coat the chicken in the sauce. - 9
Bring the stew to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 40-50 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender, and the sauce has thickened.
💡 Tip: Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little more broth or water. - 10
Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
💡 Tip: Serve hot with sadza or rice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Use unsweetened peanut butter for the best flavor balance.
- ✓If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend the tomato and onion mixture before adding the peanut butter.
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can add a tablespoon of tomato paste along with the diced tomatoes.
🔄 Variations
- Add vegetables like sweet potatoes or carrots to the stew.
- For a vegetarian version, use firm tofu or chickpeas instead of chicken.