Zimbabwean Chicken Stew with Peanut Butter
A comforting and savory chicken stew enriched with the creamy, nutty flavor of peanut butter, often prepared with tomatoes and onions.
🧂 Ingredients
- 800 g Chicken Pieces(bone-in, skin-on recommended for flavor)
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 400 g Tomatoes(chopped or crushed)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 tbsp Ginger(grated)
- 4 tbsp Smooth Peanut Butter
- 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil
- 500 ml Chicken Broth or Water
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Curry Powder
- 1 Bay Leaf
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season the chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper.
💡 Tip: Ensure even seasoning for best flavor. - 2
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides until golden. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 3
Add the chopped onions to the same pot and sauté until softened and lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 minutes - 4
Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 minute - 5
Add the chopped tomatoes and curry powder. Cook, stirring, for about 5 minutes until the tomatoes start to break down.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 6
In a small bowl, whisk the peanut butter with a little of the chicken broth or water until smooth. Add this mixture to the pot, along with the remaining broth or water and the bay leaf.
💡 Tip: Whisking the peanut butter separately prevents lumps. - 7
Return the browned chicken pieces to the pot. Bring the stew to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
⏱️ 35 minutes💡 Tip: The sauce should thicken nicely. - 8
Remove the bay leaf. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot, ideally with sadza or rice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Using bone-in chicken adds more flavor to the stew.
- ✓Adjust the amount of peanut butter to your preference.
- ✓For a spicier stew, add a pinch of chili flakes or a chopped chili pepper with the tomatoes.
🔄 Variations
- Add diced carrots or potatoes for a more substantial stew.
- Stir in a tablespoon of tomato paste with the tomatoes for a deeper tomato flavor.