Nigerian Chicken Stew

Just like my beef stew recipe, this chicken stew is bold and spicy and pairs very well with various dishes. In Nigeria, it is quite common to have a pot of beef or chicken stew in your fridge at any point in time.

It makes meal prep a breeze, and you can easily whip up a complete nutritious lunch or dinner in no time. If you need more variety, try this super delicious Nigerian turkey stew and Goat stew!

This African stew is quite spicy, but there are ways to reduce the heat. If you love spicy foods, this chicken stew will be right up your alley!

Ingredients Used

• Chicken thighs: You can use chicken thighs or chicken drumsticks, and the cooking process will be the same. Dark meat is preferred because it holds its shape well in the stew. If you use chicken breast, it might break apart in the stew.
• Vegetables: Roma tomatoes, red bell pepper, habanero pepper, onion. These vegetables form the base of the red spicy sauce.
• Spices: Bouillon powder, thyme, black pepper, curry powder, salt.
• Other ingredients: Olive oil and chicken stock/broth. I like olive oil for its mild flavor but any mild flavored oil will work.

How To Make This Recipe

1. First, rub the chicken thighs with salt and pepper and leave them in a bowl. Cut the onions into two, chop one part into small pieces, and set it aside.
2. Then, heat some olive oil in a pan and add the chicken one at a time. I like to use a wide skillet for this so I can do everything at the same time. Brown the chicken on each side for about 10 minutes. When the chicken is done, take it out and leave it in a bowl.
3. Blend the tomatoes, red bell pepper, habanero pepper, and the unchopped half of the onion. If possible, do this without adding water or adding just a little so the flavors are more potent. Add the chopped onions to the olive oil and sauté until translucent.
4. Pour in the blended tomato and pepper mix and cook for about 5 minutes.
5. Add the chicken thighs, chicken stock (broth), bouillon, curry, black pepper, and thyme, and bring to a boil. Taste for salt and add more if necessary. Simmer for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is done.

Can I use an air fryer to brown the chicken?

Yes, you can! I do this quite often, and I actually prefer air-fried chicken thighs. The chicken ends up really crispy, and there is less monitoring compared to browning it in oil.

Preheat your air fryer to 390F and brown it for about 10 minutes on each side, flipping with a tong. The chicken should be spread out on a layer and should not be stacked. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might have to do it in batches.

Storing and Reheating

This chicken stew keeps very well in the fridge for up to a week, and you can freeze it for up to 3 months. To defrost, refrigerate in the fridge overnight before warming on the stove.

What can I eat this recipe with?

African chicken stew is versatile and goes great with many dishes, like rice, spaghetti, or plantains. Being on a low carb diet, I love to eat mine with cauliflower rice or shirataki noodles.

Tips and variations

• I used chicken thighs for this stew, but you can use chicken drumsticks or mix and match both parts.
• When browning the chicken, do it in batches if needed, but don't overcrowd the pan.
• If you add water when blending the tomatoes and peppers and your mixture becomes watery, pour it into a pot and let the excess water evaporate before using it in the stew.
• The stew is quite spicy, even with just one habanero pepper. If it's too spicy for you, use half a habanero pepper or 1-2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper instead.

Check out these other delicious recipes!

Nigerian Beef Stew

African Peanut Stew (Mafe)

Nigerian Spinach Stew

Egg Stew Recipe

Moambe Chicken

African Lamb Stew

African Cabbage Stew

📖 Recipe