Tiguadege Na (Chicken Peanut Stew)
Tiguadege Na, meaning 'meat in peanut butter sauce,' is considered Mali's national dish. This rich and flavorful stew features tender chicken simmered in a creamy peanut and tomato-based sauce with vegetables. It's a hearty and comforting meal, traditionally served over rice or millet porridge.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 lb Chicken thighs(boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 cup Onion(chopped)
- 1 tbsp Fresh ginger(minced)
- 2 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1.5 tsp Ground coriander
- 0.25 tsp Cayenne pepper(or to taste)
- 1 can (15.5 oz) Diced tomatoes(undrained)
- 1 medium Sweet potato(peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 0.5 cup Creamy peanut butter(all-natural, no added sugar)
- 0.75 cup Low-sodium chicken broth
- 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro(chopped, plus more for garnish)
- 2 tbsp Unsalted peanuts(roughly chopped, for garnish)
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.25 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground, or to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Trim excess fat from chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces, and set aside.
💡 Tip: Ensure pieces are relatively uniform in size for even cooking. - 2
Heat olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
- 3
Add minced ginger and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant. Then add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- 4
Raise heat to medium-high, add chicken pieces, and cook, stirring constantly, until no longer pink on the outside, about 2-2.5 minutes.
💡 Tip: Don't overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. - 5
Add ground coriander and cayenne pepper. Season lightly with salt and black pepper. Stir to combine.
💡 Tip: Adjust cayenne pepper to your spice preference. - 6
Stir in the undrained diced tomatoes and cubed sweet potato. Combine well.
💡 Tip: Ensure sweet potato is evenly distributed. - 7
In a small bowl, whisk together the peanut butter and chicken broth until smooth. This prevents lumps.
💡 Tip: Using warm broth can help the peanut butter dissolve more easily. - 8
Pour the peanut butter mixture into the skillet. Stir to combine with the chicken and vegetable mixture. Bring to a simmer.
💡 Tip: Stir continuously as you add the peanut butter mixture. - 9
Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and simmer until the sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife, about 12-15 minutes.
💡 Tip: Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. - 10
Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Remove from heat and stir in the chopped cilantro.
💡 Tip: Add more salt or pepper if required. - 11
Transfer the stew to a serving dish. Garnish with chopped peanuts and extra cilantro. Serve hot with steamed rice or couscous.
💡 Tip: Ensure garnishes are evenly distributed.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Use all-natural peanut butter without added sugar or hydrogenated oils for the best flavor and consistency.
- ✓Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to control the spice level.
- ✓This stew tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld.
🔄 Variations
- Add other root vegetables like carrots or turnips.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with firm tofu or extra vegetables.
- Serve with millet porridge or fufu instead of rice.