Poulet Moambé
Poulet Moambé, also known as Moambe Chicken, is considered the national dish of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It's a rich and flavorful stew made with chicken simmered in a sauce of red palm oil, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and often enriched with peanut butter. The dish has a distinctive earthy and savory taste, with a hint of spice. It's traditionally served with fufu, rice, or fried plantains.
🧂 Ingredients
- 3 lbs Chicken(cut into serving pieces (thighs or bone-in pieces recommended))
- 6 tablespoons Red palm oil
- 2 medium Onions(diced)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 6 oz Tomato paste(can)
- 14.5 oz Diced tomatoes(can)
- 1 cup Water
- 1 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 cup Natural peanut butter(unsweetened)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat the red palm oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over high heat until shimmering. Sear the chicken pieces in batches until golden brown on all sides, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
- 2
Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the diced onions to the pot and sauté until golden brown, about 7-10 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- 3
Stir in the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, until it darkens slightly, about 3 minutes. This deepens the flavor.
- 4
Add the diced tomatoes, water, red pepper flakes, and salt. Stir well to combine.
- 5
Return the seared chicken to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- 6
In a small bowl, whisk together the peanut butter with about 1-2 cups of the sauce from the pot until smooth. Pour this mixture back into the pot and stir to combine.
- 7
Simmer uncovered for another 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened.
- 8
Serve hot, traditionally with fufu, rice, or fried plantains.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Authentic Moambé uses palm nut butter, but natural peanut butter is a common and accessible substitute.
- ✓Ensure the red palm oil is heated properly before searing the chicken for a good crust.
- ✓Adjust the red pepper flakes to your preferred level of spice.
🔄 Variations
- Some recipes include a grated ginger root for added aroma and flavor.
- A dash of nutmeg can also be added for warmth.
- For a richer sauce, some variations suggest increasing the amount of palm oil if not using peanut butter.