Silky Senegalese Chicken & Peanut Soup
This exquisite Senegalese Chicken & Peanut Soup is a culinary gem that boasts a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. With a smooth and silky consistency, the soup delivers a delightful kick of spice without overwhelming heat. The vibrant notes of tangy tomatoes and fresh lemon uplift the palate without imparting sourness, while the essence of roasted peanuts shines through, distinctively separate from peanut butter. Ideal for cozy nights and gatherings, this award-winning recipe is not only delicious but also freezes beautifully, making it a perfect make-ahead option for busy weeks ahead. Serve it hot with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, and experience the rich culinary heritage of Senegal.
N/A
Servings
186
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
onion
1 large (chopped)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
vegetable oil
2 tablespoons (for sautéing)
curry powder
1/4 cup (ground)
yellow curry paste
1 tablespoon (for adding depth)
chicken stock
1 quart (homemade or store-bought)
diced tomatoes
1 quart (with juice)
cooked chicken
4 cups (diced (use one whole cooked chicken for convenience))
sambal oelek
3/4 teaspoon (chili paste)
chunky peanut butter
1 cup (for smoothness and flavor)
coconut milk
14 ounces (canned)
cilantro
1 bunch (chopped for garnishing)
lemon juice
to taste (freshly squeezed)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and cayenne pepper. Sauté until the onion is translucent and fragrant, approximately 5-7 minutes.
2
Add the curry powder and yellow curry paste to the pot, stirring continuously for 1 minute to release their aromatic flavors.
3
Pour in the chicken stock and diced tomatoes with their juice. Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
4
Add the diced cooked chicken and sambal oelek to the pot, stirring to combine. Let the soup simmer for an additional 10 minutes to heat the chicken through.
5
Gradually whisk in the chunky peanut butter, a little at a time, until completely incorporated and the soup is smooth.
6
Stir in the coconut milk, mixing well until fully blended into the broth.
7
Lower the heat to low and add the chopped cilantro and lemon juice, adjusting the amount to your taste. Stir to brighten the flavors and check the seasoning; add salt and pepper as needed.
8
Serve the soup warm, garnished with extra cilantro if desired.
Nutrition Information
12.5g
Fat
11.3g
Carbs
9.3g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Silky Senegalese Chicken & Peanut Soup?
It is a culinary gem from Senegal that features a harmonious blend of spicy, nutty, and tangy flavors with a smooth, silky consistency.
How spicy is this soup?
The soup provides a delightful kick of spice from the cayenne and sambal oelek, but it is designed not to be overwhelmingly hot.
Does the soup taste like peanut butter?
While it uses chunky peanut butter, the essence of roasted peanuts shines through as a distinct flavor separate from typical peanut butter.
Can I freeze this soup?
Yes, this recipe freezes beautifully, making it an excellent option for meal prepping and busy weeks.
Is the soup sour because of the tomatoes and lemon?
No, the tangy tomatoes and fresh lemon juice are meant to uplift the palate and brighten the flavors without imparting a sour taste.
How long does it take to sauté the base vegetables?
The chopped onion, minced garlic, and cayenne pepper should be sautéed in vegetable oil for approximately 5-7 minutes until the onion is translucent.
When should I add the curry spices?
Add the curry powder and yellow curry paste after the onions are translucent, stirring continuously for 1 minute to release their aromatics.
How long should the stock and tomatoes simmer?
After bringing the chicken stock and tomatoes to a boil, reduce the heat and let them simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
What type of chicken should I use?
The recipe calls for 4 cups of diced cooked chicken; using a whole cooked chicken is recommended for convenience.
What is sambal oelek?
Sambal oelek is a ground chili paste used in this recipe to add a layer of heat and depth.
How do I ensure the peanut butter is well incorporated?
You should gradually whisk in the chunky peanut butter a little at a time until the soup becomes completely smooth.
When do I add the coconut milk?
Stir in the 14 ounces of canned coconut milk after the peanut butter has been fully incorporated into the broth.
How do I finish and season the soup?
Lower the heat and add chopped cilantro and lemon juice, then check the seasoning and add salt and pepper as needed.
What are the calories per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 186 calories.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 12.5 grams of fat per serving of this soup.
What is the carbohydrate content?
One serving of this soup contains 11.3 grams of carbohydrates.
How much protein does this soup provide?
The soup provides 9.3 grams of protein per serving.
Is this an award-winning recipe?
Yes, the description identifies this as an award-winning recipe.
What kind of tomatoes are best?
The recipe specifies using one quart of diced tomatoes along with their juice.
Can I use store-bought chicken stock?
Yes, you can use either homemade or store-bought chicken stock for this recipe.
What is the purpose of the yellow curry paste?
The yellow curry paste is used specifically to add depth of flavor to the soup.
How much peanut butter is required?
The recipe requires 1 cup of chunky peanut butter.
What is the role of lemon juice in this recipe?
Freshly squeezed lemon juice is added at the end to brighten the flavors of the soup.
How much curry powder is used?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of ground curry powder.
How much cayenne pepper should I add?
Add 1/4 teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper during the initial sautéing step.
What should I use as a garnish?
The soup should be served warm and garnished with extra fresh chopped cilantro if desired.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, the recipe is tagged as healthy.
How much sambal oelek is needed?
The recipe requires 3/4 teaspoon of sambal oelek chili paste.
How much vegetable oil is needed?
You will need 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil for sautéing the base ingredients.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are a total of 14 ingredients used in this recipe.