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    Home » African Keto Recipes » African Chicken Peanut Stew

    Feb 5, 2022

    African Chicken Peanut Stew

    Published on Feb 5, 2022. Updated on Jan 16, 2023. By Tayo. This post may contain affiliate links. See Disclosure. 13 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    African Chicken Peanut Stew-pinterest

    African chicken peanut stew is a delicious and versatile traditional dish enjoyed by many Africans all over the world. This hearty stew is made from simple ingredients cooked together to entice your senses and please your belly!

    African Chicken Peanut Stew in a skillet

    This delicacy is one recipe that I cook often in my home and it is always a hit with my family. Cooking this flavorful stew is so hassle-free, it is guaranteed to be on rotation in your home.

    Not only is this West African peanut stew delicious, but it is very nutritious too! This protein-rich stew is the perfect comfort food that is rich and creamy and a good source of vitamins and healthy fats.

    And with just 7 net carbs, this stew is low carb and keto-friendly too!

    Jump to:
    • What is peanut stew?
    • Ingredients Used
    • How to make this African peanut stew recipe
    • Recipe Video
    • Storing and Reheating
    • What can I eat this recipe with?
    • Tips and variations
    • Frequently asked questions
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

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    What is peanut stew?

    Peanut stew is a delicious, hearty stew that's popular in West Africa. Made from peanut butter, tomatoes, peppers, broth, and spices, this stew is a creamy and flavorful delight that is great for meal prep and can be enjoyed by the whole family.

    This hearty African food was one of my favorite stews growing up in Nigeria. The only thing I didn't enjoy was that preparing it was so time-consuming. To start, you would have to roast fresh peanuts and then manually grind them into a paste. These days, however, you can just use plain and natural peanut butter without additives. This way, you save on time.

    In Nigeria, peanuts are sometimes called groundnut, so this stew is sometimes referred to as groundnut soup or groundnut stew.

    Ingredients Used

    raw chicken, red bell peppers, olive oil, spices

    These are the pantry staples you need for this hearty comfort food.

    • Chicken thighs or chicken drumsticks: I like to mix thighs and drumsticks in my stew. You can even use chicken wings or chicken breast if you prefer.
    • Tomato sauce: You can substitute with tomato paste. You can also just blend fresh tomatoes in a food processor.
    • Vegetables: Red bell peppers and onion.
    • Peanut butter: For best results, I use plain, natural peanut butter.
    • Olive oil: You can use your preferred oil here instead.
    • Spices: Cayenne pepper, bouillon powder (or maggi cubes), black pepper, and salt to taste.
    • Chicken stock: You can also use vegetable stock or just water.

    How to make this African peanut stew recipe

    1. Wash the chicken under running water, then pat dry with paper towels.
    2. Mix some salt and pepper in a small bowl, then rub it on both sides of each chicken part.
    3. Pour some olive oil into a large skillet and then brown the chicken pieces on both sides on medium-high heat. This splatter guard always saves the day and prevents splashes and oil burns.
    4. When sufficiently browned, remove the chicken thighs from the oil and set them aside.
    5. Pour a bit of olive oil in a large soup pot and when heated, add the chopped onions and red bell pepper. Sauté for a few minutes on medium heat.
    6. Next, add the tomato sauce and spices (except the salt), simmer for a few minutes and pour in the chicken broth.
    7. Add the chicken pieces, give it a stir and simmer for about 10 minutes.
    8. Taste for salt and add some if you need.
    9. Finally, add the peanut butter into the pot and stir till it is well mixed in.
    10. Cook till the stew becomes thick.
    11. Your African chicken peanut stew is ready to be enjoyed!
    how to make african peanut stew

    Recipe Video

    Click on the image below to watch me make this recipe from start to finish on YouTube!

    african chicken peanut stew youtube video link

    Storing and Reheating

    Store leftover chicken stew in an airtight container and put it in the fridge for a few days. It would remain fresh for about five days, but you should use it up within this time.

    You can also freeze this delicious stew to preserve it longer. Put it in an airtight freezer-safe container first. It will remain fresh for up to three months this way.

    Take the creamy peanut butter stew out of the freezer and put it in the fridge overnight to defrost if frozen. To reheat, either microwave or warm in a skillet on the stovetop till it is hot.

    What can I eat this recipe with?

    Typically, African peanut stew is paired with either fufu or white rice. For a healthy, low carb alternative, I enjoy my west African peanut soup with either low carb fufu or cauliflower rice.

    African Chicken Peanut Stew closeup

    Tips and variations

    • If you're using stock, make sure to taste for salt before adding any. Stock usually already contains some salt.
    • Add a teaspoon of ground coriander or chopped cilantro, chopped garlic cloves, fresh ginger, or a teaspoon of ground cumin for a tasty variation.
    • If you like spicy stew, add chili pepper or habanero pepper.
    • If you use water instead of stock for this recipe, adjust the spices if you need to.
    • You can swap the chicken for beef or fish if you prefer. It's equally delicious!
    African Chicken Peanut Stew

    Frequently asked questions

    Why is it called African peanut stew?

    This stew is called African peanut stew because the stew is native to the West Africa region. These countries have different versions of African peanut stew, but they have the same ingredients in common - peanut butter, oil, tomatoes, meat or chicken, and spices.

    How many calories are in a bowl of peanut soup?

    A serving of this delectable peanut soup contains about 7 net carbs and 504 calories. It is protein-rich and contains healthy fats.

    Check out these savory peanut butter recipes

    Mafe (Senegalese Peanut Stew)

    Fumbwa (Congolese Spinach Stew)

    Moambe Chicken

    Need more African healthy dinners? Next time, try these!

    African Cabbage Stew with Ground Beef

    Liver and Onions

    Mixed Meat Stew

    Chicken Hearts with Mushrooms

    Pan-Seared Tilapia

    Sukuma Wiki (Kenyan Collard Greens)

    African Peanut Stew served with cauliflower rice

    📖 Recipe

    African Chicken Peanut Stew in a skillet

    African Chicken Peanut Stew

    African chicken peanut stew is a delicious and versatile traditional dish enjoyed by many Africans all over the world. This hearty stew is made from simple ingredients cooked together to entice your senses and please your belly!
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Pin Share on Facebook Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: African
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 504kcal
    Author: Tayo Oredola
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1.5 lb chicken thighs
    • ½ cup tomato sauce
    • 1 red bell pepper chopped
    • ½ cup peanut butter
    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • ½ onion chopped
    • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • 1 teaspoon bouillon powder
    • 2 cups chicken stock or water
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste

    Instructions

    • Wash and pat dry the chicken.
    • Mix some salt and pepper in a small bowl, then rub it on both sides of each chicken part.
    • Pour some olive oil into a large skillet and then brown the chicken pieces on both sides on medium-high heat.
    • When sufficiently browned, remove the chicken thighs from the oil and set them aside.
    • Pour ¼ cup olive oil in a large soup pot and when heated, add the chopped onions and red bell pepper. Sauté for a few minutes on medium heat.
    • Next, add the tomato sauce and spices (except the salt), simmer for a few minutes and pour in the chicken broth.
    • Add the chicken pieces, give it a stir and simmer for about 10 minutes.
    • Taste for salt and add some if you need.
    • Finally, add the peanut butter into the pot and stir till it is well mixed in. 
    • Cook till the stew becomes thick.
    • Your African chicken peanut stew is ready to be enjoyed!

    Video

    Notes

    This recipe serves 6 and contains 7 net carbs per serving.
    • If you're using stock, make sure to taste for salt before adding any. Stock usually already contains some salt.
    • Add a teaspoon of ground coriander or chopped cilantro, chopped garlic cloves, fresh ginger, and a teaspoon of ground cumin for a tasty variation.
    • If you like spicy stew, add chili pepper or habanero pepper.
    • If you use water instead of stock for this recipe, adjust the spices if you need to.
    • You can swap the chicken for beef or fish if you prefer. It's equally delicious!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 504kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 114mg | Sodium: 496mg | Potassium: 491mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 714IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Tried this Recipe? Let me know!tag @lowcarbafrica on Instagram and please leave a comment below

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Carrie A Hunter says

      March 19, 2023 at 12:21 pm

      5 stars
      This was wonderful. My thighs were partially frozen, so I chopped them up and followed the directions otherwise. I had a serving on top of some chopped fresh spinach and am planning this for lunch on Wednesday. For me, with the choppped chicken meat, the servings came out to 1/2 cup of meat and a bit more than 1/2 cup of sauce.

      Reply
      • Tayo says

        March 27, 2023 at 12:56 pm

        I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Carrie!

        Reply
    2. Nancy says

      March 07, 2023 at 6:22 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious and soooo easy to make. The flavor is awesome and the only change I made was to use less red pepper. I served this chicken with steamed broccoli and some turmeric-flavored Israeli coucous. This chicken will definitely be a repeat at our house.

      Reply
      • Tayo says

        March 27, 2023 at 1:00 pm

        I'm glad you enjoyed the stew, Nancy!

        Reply
    3. GAfromCA says

      February 27, 2023 at 7:40 am

      5 stars
      I made this with the fresh ginger and garlic plus extra spices like you recommended in the notes. Approved by my Kenyan friend! Note on step 10: plan to take 10-20 minutes to reduce the sauce until thick and to let the chicken cook more.

      I am so excited to have found your site. I was searching for African recipes for a themed potluck. But we also eat low carb/keto. I will definitely be cooking more of your recipes!

      Reply
      • Tayo says

        March 27, 2023 at 1:02 pm

        Thank you for the wonderful feedback!

        Reply
    4. Lola says

      October 27, 2022 at 4:09 pm

      5 stars
      We LOVED this!

      Reply
      • Tayo says

        November 04, 2022 at 8:05 am

        Yay, I'm so glad to hear that!

        Reply
    5. Chenée says

      May 06, 2022 at 12:58 pm

      5 stars
      This was so easy to make and delicious! With some cauliflower rice it was the perfect meal prep!

      Reply
      • Tayo says

        May 08, 2022 at 8:24 pm

        I'm so glad you enjoyed the chicken peanut stew, Chenee!

        Reply
    6. Avril Martin says

      April 26, 2022 at 5:41 pm

      5 stars
      This was crazy good - I'll definitely be making it again and trying it with beef. Easy recipe to follow.

      Reply
      • Tayo says

        April 29, 2022 at 10:44 am

        I'm glad you enjoyed the chicken peanut stew!

        Reply
    7. Tina says

      April 15, 2022 at 6:06 pm

      5 stars
      Wow! That sauce is amazing! I could eat that all by itself, in a big bowl haha. So so good! I added peas to my dish, just for substance and color, but otherwise made exactly as the recipe calls for. Delicious! Thank you!

      Reply

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