Sudanese Chicken Peanut Stew
A rich and flavorful stew featuring tender chicken simmered in a creamy peanut butter sauce with aromatic spices. This dish is a comforting and hearty meal, often served with rice or flatbread.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Chicken thighs(boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1 large Yellow onion(diced)
- 6 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 tbsp Ginger(freshly grated)
- 15 oz can Crushed tomatoes
- 1 quart Chicken stock
- 1 cup Smooth peanut butter
- 1.5 cups Roasted peanuts(chopped)
- 1 tbsp Ground coriander
- 1 tsp Cayenne pepper(or more, to taste)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 0.25 cup Cilantro(chopped, for garnish (optional))
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
💡 Tip: Ensure the pot is large enough to hold all ingredients. - 2
Add the diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- 3
Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
- 4
Add the chicken pieces, seasoned with salt and pepper, and sear until browned on all sides. Remove chicken from the pot and set aside.
💡 Tip: Do not overcrowd the pot; sear chicken in batches if necessary. - 5
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, chicken stock, peanut butter, chopped roasted peanuts, ground coriander, and cayenne pepper. Whisk well to ensure the peanut butter is fully dissolved and the sauce is smooth.
💡 Tip: Using warm chicken stock can help the peanut butter dissolve more easily. - 6
Return the seared chicken to the pot. Bring the stew to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 45-60 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
💡 Tip: Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. - 7
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. If the stew is too thick, add a little more chicken stock or water.
💡 Tip: The stew will thicken as it cools. - 8
Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro if desired. This stew is excellent served over rice or with Sudanese flatbread (kisra).
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a spicier stew, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add a fresh chili pepper.
- ✓If you don't have roasted peanuts, you can toast raw peanuts in a dry skillet until golden brown.
- ✓This stew can be made ahead of time and reheats well.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add diced sweet potatoes or other root vegetables along with the chicken for a heartier stew.
- Incorporate a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas for added texture and protein.
- Use beef or lamb instead of chicken for a different flavor profile.