Sauce Arachide au Poulet
A rich and flavorful chicken stew made with a creamy peanut butter sauce, tomatoes, and aromatic spices. This is a staple comfort food in Central African Republic, often served with rice or fufu.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Chicken(cut into pieces, bone-in or boneless)
- 200 g Peanut butter(unsweetened, smooth or crunchy)
- 1 large Onion(chopped)
- 400 g Tomatoes(crushed or diced)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 inch piece Ginger(grated)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 500 ml Chicken broth
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Coriander
- 0.5 tsp Cayenne pepper(or to taste)
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- 2
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides, then remove and set aside.
- 3
Add chopped onion to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- 4
Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 5
Add crushed tomatoes, cumin, coriander, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 6
In a separate bowl, whisk the peanut butter with a little warm water or chicken broth until smooth. This helps prevent lumps.
💡 Tip: Ensure the peanut butter mixture is smooth before adding to the pot. - 7
Return the browned chicken to the pot. Pour in the remaining chicken broth and the smooth peanut butter mixture. Stir well to combine.
💡 Tip: Add more broth if the sauce is too thick. - 8
Bring the stew to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened.
💡 Tip: Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. - 9
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a smoother sauce, you can blend the sautéed onions, garlic, and ginger before adding the tomatoes.
- ✓If peanut butter is too thick, thin it with a little warm water or broth.
- ✓Adjust cayenne pepper to your preferred level of spice.
🔄 Variations
- Add diced sweet potatoes or plantains for a heartier stew.
- Incorporate other vegetables like bell peppers or spinach towards the end of cooking.
- Use beef or lamb instead of chicken.