Ugandan Chicken Luwombo-Inspired Stew
A rich and flavorful stew inspired by the traditional Ugandan Luwombo, featuring tender chicken simmered in a savory broth with groundnuts, tomatoes, and aromatic spices. This dish offers a comforting taste of Ugandan home cooking.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on Chicken thighs(cut into pieces)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1 large Onion(finely chopped)
- 5 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 inch knob Ginger(grated)
- 400 g Tomatoes(diced or crushed)
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 0.5 cup Smooth peanut butter
- 3 cups Chicken broth
- 1 tsp Cumin powder
- 1 tsp Coriander powder
- 0.5 tsp Turmeric powder
- 0.25 tsp Cayenne pepper(or to taste)
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- 2
Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 3
Stir in the diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to break down.
- 4
Add the chicken pieces to the pot and sear on all sides until lightly browned.
- 5
In a separate bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, chicken broth, cumin, coriander, turmeric, cayenne pepper, and salt until smooth. Pour this mixture into the pot with the chicken and vegetables.
- 6
Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 1 hour, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- 7
Adjust seasoning with salt if needed. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a deeper flavor, you can roast the chicken pieces briefly before adding them to the stew.
- ✓If the stew becomes too thick, add a little more chicken broth or water.
- ✓Serve with steamed rice, millet, or matoke (cooked green bananas).
🔄 Variations
- Add chopped bell peppers or sweet potatoes along with the tomatoes for extra vegetables.
- For a spicier stew, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add a chopped fresh chili pepper.