RecipesBeninPoulet et Tilapia en Sauce Arachide

Poulet et Tilapia en Sauce Arachide

A rich and flavorful dish combining tender chicken and flaky tilapia simmered in a savory peanut sauce, often served with rice or fufu.

Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Servings6
DifficultyMedium
Poulet et Tilapia en Sauce Arachide - Benin traditional dish

🧂 Ingredients

  • 500 g Chicken thighs(bone-in, skin-on, cut into pieces)
  • 400 g Tilapia fillets(cut into chunks)
  • 250 g Peanut butter(unsweetened, smooth)
  • 2 medium Onions(chopped)
  • 400 g Tomatoes(crushed or pureed)
  • 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
  • 1 inch piece Ginger(grated)
  • 1 small Scotch bonnet pepper(finely chopped (optional, for heat))
  • 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
  • 500 ml Chicken broth
  • 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
  • 0.5 tsp Black pepper(ground)
  • 2 Bay leaves

👨‍🍳 Instructions

  1. 1

    In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides. Remove chicken and set aside.

  2. 2

    Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.

  3. 3

    Stir in minced garlic, grated ginger, and chopped scotch bonnet pepper (if using). Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

  4. 4

    Add the crushed tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  5. 5

    In a separate bowl, whisk the peanut butter with a little warm water or chicken broth until smooth. Add this mixture to the pot.

    💡 Tip: Ensure the peanut butter is well-dissolved to avoid lumps.
  6. 6

    Return the browned chicken to the pot. Add the chicken broth and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat, cover, and cook for 30 minutes, or until chicken is tender.

  7. 7

    Gently add the tilapia chunks to the sauce. Cover and simmer for another 10-12 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily.

    💡 Tip: Be careful not to overcook the fish.
  8. 8

    Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Remove bay leaves before serving.

    💡 Tip: Serve hot with rice, fufu, or boiled yams.

💡 Pro Tips

  • For a smoother sauce, you can blend the sautéed onions, garlic, and ginger before adding the tomatoes.
  • Adjust the amount of scotch bonnet pepper to your spice preference.
  • If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little more chicken broth or water.

🔄 Variations

  • Add other vegetables like bell peppers or okra.
  • Substitute chicken with beef or lamb for a different flavor profile.

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