Moamba de Galinha com Amendoim
A rich and savory chicken stew featuring the unique combination of palm oil (moamba) and peanut butter, simmered with sweet potatoes and aromatic spices. This dish offers a delightful blend of West African and Cape Verdean flavors, perfect for a comforting meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Chicken thighs(bone-in, skin-on, cut into serving pieces)
- 0.25 cup Palm oil (dendê oil)
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 6 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 tablespoon Ginger(freshly grated)
- 2 medium Sweet potatoes(peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks)
- 3 tablespoons Tomato paste
- 6 cups Chicken broth
- 1 cup Smooth peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon Ground coriander
- 0.5 teaspoon Cayenne pepper(or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 0.25 cup Cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Pat the chicken pieces dry and season generously with salt and black pepper. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the palm oil over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Remove the browned chicken and set aside.
- 2
Add the chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- 3
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- 4
In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken broth and peanut butter until smooth. Pour this mixture into the pot with the onions and garlic. Add the ground coriander and cayenne pepper.
- 5
Return the browned chicken pieces to the pot. Add the sweet potato chunks. Bring the stew to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sweet potatoes are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- 6
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. If the stew is too thick, add a little more chicken broth or water. If it's too thin, simmer uncovered for a few minutes to reduce.
- 7
Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped cilantro. This stew is traditionally served with rice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Palm oil can be found in specialty African or international food stores.
- ✓If you cannot find palm oil, you can substitute with a neutral vegetable oil, though the flavor will be slightly different.
- ✓Ensure you stir the stew frequently, especially after adding the peanut butter, to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like bell peppers or okra.
- For a spicier dish, add a scotch bonnet pepper or more cayenne pepper.