Senegalese Chicken Yassa
Senegalese Chicken Yassa is a vibrant and aromatic dish hailing from the Casamance region of Senegal, renowned for its rich flavors and tender chicken. This traditional recipe showcases the beautiful synergy between marinated chicken and a generous medley of caramelized onions, tangy lemon juice, and a hint of mustard. Marinating the chicken overnight not only enhances its tenderness but also allows it to absorb the complex flavors of the marinade, making every bite a delight. While chicken is the star of this recipe, Yassa can also be exquisitely prepared with fish, lending itself to versatility. Serve it alongside fluffy rice, nutty couscous, or traditional fufu to soak up the luscious sauce. Enjoy a taste of Africa with this heartwarming dish that’s perfect for family gatherings or special occasions.
4-6 servings
Servings
367
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
peanut oil
1/2 cup (or any cooking oil)
chicken
1 (cut into serving-sized pieces)
onions
4-6 (cut up)
lemon juice
8 tablespoons
vinegar
8 tablespoons ((cider vinegar is good))
bay leaf
1
garlic
4 cloves (minced)
Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons (optional)
Maggi seasoning sauce
1 tablespoon (optional (or Maggi cubes and water or soy sauce))
chili pepper
1 (cleaned and finely chopped, optional)
cayenne pepper
to taste
black pepper
to taste
salt
to taste
cabbage
1 small (cut into chunks, optional)
carrots
2 (cut into chunks, optional)
Instructions
1
In a large glass dish, combine peanut oil, chopped onions, lemon juice, vinegar, bay leaf, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, Maggi seasoning (if using), chili pepper (if using), cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt. Mix well.
2
Add chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight for maximum flavor.
3
Once marinated, remove the chicken from the marinade, setting the marinade aside. Discard the bay leaf.
4
For Cooking Method 1: Preheat your grill or oven. Grill the chicken over a charcoal fire until lightly browned but not fully cooked. Alternatively, bake in a hot oven (around 400°F/200°C). For Cooking Method 2: Heat a frypan with oil and sauté the chicken for a few minutes on each side until browned.
5
In a large saucepan, heat a bit of oil over medium heat. Remove onions from the marinade and sauté them in the pan for about 5-7 minutes until they start to caramelize.
6
Add the reserved marinade and any optional vegetables (cabbage and carrots, if desired) to the saucepan. Bring to a slow boil, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
7
Reduce the heat, add the browned chicken pieces into the saucepan, cover, and let simmer for approximately 30-40 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
8
Serve the Chicken Yassa hot, alongside rice, couscous, or fufu.
Nutrition Information
25g
Fat
25g
Carbs
25g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Senegalese Chicken Yassa?
Senegalese Chicken Yassa is a vibrant and aromatic dish from the Casamance region of Senegal, featuring marinated chicken, caramelized onions, and tangy lemon juice.
Which region of Senegal does Chicken Yassa come from?
It hails from the Casamance region of Senegal.
What are the primary flavors of this dish?
The dish is known for its synergy of caramelized onions, tangy lemon juice, and a hint of mustard.
Can I use something other than chicken for Yassa?
Yes, Yassa can also be exquisitely prepared with fish.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 4-6 servings.
How many calories are in a serving of Chicken Yassa?
There are 367 calories per serving.
What is the protein content of this dish?
Each serving contains 25g of protein.
How much fat is in one serving?
One serving contains 25g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in this recipe?
There are 25g of carbohydrates per serving.
How long should I marinate the chicken?
The chicken should be marinated for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight for maximum flavor.
What type of oil is recommended for this recipe?
Peanut oil is recommended, though any cooking oil can be used.
How many onions are needed?
You will need 4-6 onions, cut up.
What kind of vinegar should I use?
The recipe calls for 8 tablespoons of vinegar; cider vinegar is a good choice.
Is mustard required for Chicken Yassa?
Dijon mustard is optional, but it adds a lovely hint of flavor to the dish.
What can I use instead of Maggi seasoning sauce?
You can use Maggi cubes mixed with water or soy sauce as a substitute.
Does this recipe include garlic?
Yes, the recipe uses 4 cloves of minced garlic.
Is Chicken Yassa spicy?
It can be spicy as it includes chili pepper, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.
What are the optional vegetables suggested?
Optional vegetables include one small cabbage and two carrots, both cut into chunks.
What should I do with the bay leaf?
The bay leaf should be included in the marinade but discarded before cooking the chicken.
How do I prepare the chicken initially?
The chicken should be cut into serving-sized pieces before marinating.
What are the different ways to cook the chicken?
You can grill it over a charcoal fire, bake it in a hot oven (400°F), or sauté it in a frypan.
How long should the onions be sautéed?
The onions should be sautéed for about 5-7 minutes until they start to caramelize.
How long do I simmer the final dish?
The dish should simmer for approximately 30-40 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked.
What are the best side dishes for Chicken Yassa?
It is traditionally served alongside rice, couscous, or fufu.
Why is the chicken marinated for so long?
Marinating enhances the chicken's tenderness and allows it to fully absorb the complex marinade flavors.
How much lemon juice is used?
The recipe requires 8 tablespoons of lemon juice.
When do I add the optional vegetables?
Optional vegetables like cabbage and carrots are added to the saucepan along with the reserved marinade.
What temperature should the oven be if baking the chicken?
The oven should be preheated to around 400°F (200°C).
Is this recipe suitable for special occasions?
Yes, it is a heartwarming dish perfect for family gatherings or special occasions.
Should the marinade be boiled?
Yes, after adding the reserved marinade to the saucepan, bring it to a slow boil to let the flavors meld.