West African Peanut Butter Chicken Stew
Delve into the rich and savory flavors of West Africa with this hearty peanut butter chicken stew cooked to perfection in a slow cooker. This dish features succulent chicken pieces marinated in aromatic spices, mingling with a luscious peanut sauce that adds depth and creaminess. Enhanced with the vibrant colors of bell peppers and the zing of chili peppers, each bite offers a delightful experience whether served hot or cold. Paired with fluffy white rice, this stew is not only easy to prepare but also a wonderful way to enjoy leftovers the next day. A comforting meal that brings warmth and flavor to your table!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
vegetable oil
1 tablespoon (none)
chicken pieces (skin on breasts, skinless legs and thighs)
3 lbs (none)
onions
2 (finely chopped)
garlic cloves
4 (minced)
red chili pepper or green chili pepper
1/2 (minced)
curry powder
2 teaspoons (none)
dried oregano leaves
1 teaspoon (none)
salt
1 teaspoon (none)
black peppercorns
1/2 teaspoon (cracked)
condensed chicken broth
1/2 cup (undiluted)
tomato sauce
1/2 cup (none)
bay leaf
1 (none)
peanut butter
1/2 cup (none)
sherry wine or lemon juice
2 tablespoons (none)
red bell pepper
1 (finely chopped)
Instructions
1
Begin by heating the vegetable oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces in batches, browning them evenly on all sides. Once browned, transfer the chicken to the slow cooker stoneware.
2
Lower the heat to medium and add the finely chopped onions to the same skillet. Sauté until they are softened and translucent. Then, add the minced garlic, chili pepper, curry powder, oregano, salt, and cracked black peppercorns. Stir frequently for about 1 minute until fragrant.
3
Pour in the chicken broth, tomato sauce, and add the bay leaf, stirring to combine. Allow the mixture to reach a boil before pouring it evenly over the browned chicken in the slow cooker.
4
Cover the slow cooker and set it on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours, cooking until the chicken is tender and the juices run clear when pierced with a fork.
5
In a separate bowl, combine the peanut butter and sherry (or lemon juice). Gradually mix in a small amount of the cooking liquid from the slow cooker, stirring until smooth. Add this mixture back into the slow cooker along with the finely chopped red bell pepper.
6
Cover once more and cook on high for an additional 20 minutes, or until the bell pepper is tender. Finally, remember to discard the bay leaf before serving.
7
Serve the peanut butter chicken stew over a bed of fluffy white rice, allowing the sauce to soak into the rice for an exquisite meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is West African Peanut Butter Chicken Stew?
It is a rich and savory dish featuring succulent chicken pieces cooked in a creamy peanut sauce with aromatic spices and vibrant bell peppers.
What kind of chicken is best for this recipe?
The recipe recommends using 3 lbs of chicken pieces, specifically skin-on breasts and skinless legs and thighs.
How long does it take to cook in a slow cooker?
You can cook the stew on a low setting for 6 hours or on a high setting for 3 hours until the chicken is tender.
What should I serve with this peanut butter stew?
It is best served over a bed of fluffy white rice, which allows the rice to soak up the exquisite peanut sauce.
Is this recipe spicy?
Yes, it has a spicy kick from the inclusion of minced red or green chili pepper and curry powder.
Can I substitute the sherry wine?
Yes, if you do not have sherry wine, you can use 2 tablespoons of lemon juice as a substitute.
How do I incorporate the peanut butter into the stew?
Mix the peanut butter with sherry or lemon juice, then gradually stir in a small amount of the hot cooking liquid until smooth before adding it back to the slow cooker.
Do I need to brown the chicken before slow cooking?
Yes, browning the chicken in vegetable oil first helps to lock in flavor and improves the texture of the meat.
What vegetables are included in the stew?
The stew includes finely chopped onions and a finely chopped red bell pepper added towards the end of cooking.
Can this dish be eaten cold?
Yes, the stew offers a delightful experience whether served hot or cold and is great as leftovers the next day.
What spices are used to season the stew?
The flavor profile is built using curry powder, dried oregano leaves, salt, and cracked black peppercorns.
What type of chili pepper should I use?
The recipe calls for 1/2 of a minced red chili pepper or green chili pepper.
When do I add the red bell pepper?
Add the finely chopped red bell pepper during the last 20 minutes of cooking on the high setting.
Should the chicken broth be diluted?
No, you should use 1/2 cup of undiluted condensed chicken broth.
Do I leave the bay leaf in when serving?
No, you should discard the bay leaf before serving the dish.
How many onions are needed for this recipe?
You will need 2 onions, which should be finely chopped and sautéed until softened.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe requires 4 minced garlic cloves.
What is the first step in preparing the stew?
The first step is heating vegetable oil in a nonstick skillet and browning the chicken pieces on all sides.
How much peanut butter is required?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of peanut butter to create the luscious sauce.
What type of tomato product is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of tomato sauce.
Can I use whole peppercorns?
The recipe specifically calls for 1/2 teaspoon of cracked black peppercorns for better flavor distribution.
Is this recipe suitable for families?
Yes, it is described as a comforting family meal and is easy to prepare in a slow cooker.
What is the role of the vegetable oil?
One tablespoon of vegetable oil is used to brown the chicken and sauté the aromatics.
How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?
The chicken is done when it is tender and the juices run clear when pierced with a fork.
Can I use skinless chicken breasts?
While the recipe suggests skin-on breasts, you can use skinless if you prefer, though it may slightly alter the richness.
What is the preparation for the garlic?
The 4 garlic cloves should be minced before being added to the skillet.
Does the recipe use dried or fresh oregano?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of dried oregano leaves.
Is there a specific way to sauté the onions?
Sauté the finely chopped onions in the skillet over medium heat until they are softened and translucent.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 15 ingredients used in this West African peanut butter chicken stew.
What are the primary tags for this recipe?
The primary tags include slow cooker, African cuisine, peanut sauce, and chicken stew.