Kedjenou Poulet
Kedjenou Poulet is a flavorful and aromatic Ivorian chicken stew, traditionally slow-cooked in a sealed clay pot (canari) with vegetables and spices. The unique cooking method, which involves minimal to no added liquid, allows the chicken and vegetables to cook in their own juices, resulting in incredibly tender meat and concentrated flavors. It's often seasoned with ingredients like tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, and scotch bonnet peppers, and is typically served with attiéké or rice.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 whole Chicken(cut into 8 pieces (or use 4 chicken thighs and 4 drumsticks))
- 2 medium Onion(chopped)
- 3 medium Tomatoes(chopped)
- 1 Green bell pepper(chopped)
- 1 Red bell pepper(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 tablespoon Ginger(freshly grated)
- 1 Scotch bonnet pepper(whole (or to taste, adjust for desired heat))
- 1 teaspoon Thyme(fresh sprigs or dried)
- 1 Bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon Vegetable oil
- 2 Bouillon cubes(crushed)
- Salt(to taste)
- Black pepper(to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Wash the chicken pieces thoroughly and pat them dry.
💡 Tip: Ensure chicken is dry for better searing. - 2
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- 3
Sear the chicken pieces on all sides until golden brown. This step is crucial for developing flavor.
- 4
Add the chopped onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, minced garlic, and grated ginger to the pot. Stir to combine with the chicken.
💡 Tip: Sauté the vegetables briefly to release their aromas. - 5
Add the thyme sprigs, bay leaf, crushed bouillon cubes, salt, and pepper. Place the whole scotch bonnet pepper in the pot.
💡 Tip: Adjust salt and pepper to your preference. Be cautious with the scotch bonnet pepper if you prefer less heat. - 6
Cover the pot tightly with a lid. If your lid is not very tight, you can seal the edges with aluminum foil or a clean kitchen towel to trap steam.
💡 Tip: The goal is to create a sealed environment for slow cooking. - 7
Reduce the heat to low and let the kedjenou simmer gently for about 45-60 minutes, or until the chicken is very tender and falling off the bone. Shake the pot occasionally to prevent sticking.
💡 Tip: Shaking the pot is traditional and helps distribute heat and prevent sticking. - 8
Remove the scotch bonnet pepper before serving if you don't want it to be too spicy. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
💡 Tip: The pepper will have infused its flavor into the stew. - 9
Serve hot, traditionally with attiéké (steamed cassava couscous) or rice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For an authentic experience, use a traditional clay pot (canari) if available.
- ✓If you don't have a Dutch oven, any heavy-bottomed pot with a tight-fitting lid will work.
- ✓The slow cooking process is key to tenderizing the chicken and melding the flavors.
- ✓You can add other vegetables like eggplant or okra for variation.
🔄 Variations
- Substitute chicken with guinea fowl or firm fish.
- Add sliced eggplant or okra to the stew during the last 20 minutes of cooking.
- Serve with rice, foutou, or placali instead of attiéké.