Ugandan Chicken and Sweet Potato Stew
A comforting and flavorful stew featuring tender chicken pieces and sweet potatoes simmered in a rich, savory broth infused with aromatic spices and a hint of peanut butter for creaminess. This dish offers a delightful balance of sweet and savory notes.
🧂 Ingredients
- 600 g Chicken(boneless, skinless thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks)
- 1.5 tablespoons Oil(vegetable or olive oil)
- 1 large Onion(peeled and diced)
- 2 cloves Garlic(peeled and minced)
- 1 teaspoon Ginger(minced)
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper(or to taste)
- 0.25 teaspoon Cayenne pepper(or to taste, for heat)
- 1 tablespoon Ground coriander
- 2 red Chili peppers(finely chopped (optional))
- 1 Bay leaf
- 150 g Smooth peanut butter(about 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp)
- 480 ml Chicken or vegetable stock(about 2 cups)
- 400 g Chopped tomatoes(canned, with juice)
- 1 large Sweet potato(peeled and chopped into bite-sized chunks (about 400g))
- 110 g Chopped peanuts(for garnish (about 1 cup))
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat the oil in a large frying pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes until softened.
- 2
Add the minced garlic, ginger, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, ground coriander, chopped chili peppers (if using), and bay leaf. Stir and cook for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- 3
Turn the heat up to high and add the chicken chunks. Stir to coat the chicken with the seasonings and cook until it's browned on all sides.
- 4
Stir in the peanut butter, chicken or vegetable stock, canned chopped tomatoes (with their juice), and chopped sweet potato. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- 5
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 30 minutes, or until the sweet potato is tender and the chicken is cooked through. Stir occasionally.
- 6
Uncover the pot, remove the bay leaf, and stir in the chopped peanuts. Cook for another 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- 7
Serve hot, garnished with extra chopped peanuts. This stew pairs well with rice, couscous, or ugali.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a milder stew, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper and chili peppers.
- ✓Ensure the peanut butter is well combined to avoid lumps.
- ✓Toasted peanuts add a lovely crunch and enhance the nutty flavor.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like carrots or bell peppers along with the sweet potato.
- A splash of lime juice can add a bright, fresh note.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the chicken with firm tofu or extra sweet potatoes and use vegetable stock.