Poulet à la Noix de Palme et Légumes
A flavorful chicken dish cooked in a rich palm nut sauce with a medley of vegetables, offering a taste of Central African home cooking.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Chicken pieces(bone-in, cut into serving pieces)
- 3 tbsp Palm oil
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 4 medium Tomatoes(chopped)
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 medium Chili pepper(finely chopped (optional, adjust to taste))
- 300 g Spinach(fresh or frozen, chopped)
- 200 g Okra(fresh or frozen, sliced)
- 2 medium Carrots(peeled and sliced)
- 1 cup Palm nut sauce (Moambe or Nyembwe)(or canned palm soup base)
- 2 cups Water(or as needed)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat palm oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides.
💡 Tip: Browning the chicken adds depth of flavor. - 2
Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and chopped chili pepper (if using) and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 3
Stir in the chopped tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes begin to break down.
- 4
Add the palm nut sauce (or canned palm soup base) and 2 cups of water. Stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
💡 Tip: If using canned palm soup base, ensure it's well-mixed before adding. - 5
Add the sliced carrots and bring the stew back to a simmer. Cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and let it cook for about 45 minutes, or until the chicken is tender.
💡 Tip: Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. - 6
Add the chopped spinach and sliced okra to the pot. Stir well and continue to simmer, covered, for another 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
💡 Tip: Spinach will wilt down quickly. - 7
Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Adjust water if the sauce is too thick. Serve hot with rice, fufu, or chikwangue.
💡 Tip: Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Palm oil is traditional and provides a distinct flavor and color. If unavailable, a neutral vegetable oil can be used, but the flavor will differ.
- ✓Adjust the amount of chili pepper to your spice preference.
- ✓This dish can be made ahead of time and reheats well.
🔄 Variations
- Add other root vegetables like sweet potatoes or yams.
- For a richer flavor, use smoked chicken.