Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the products in this recommended list are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase through one of these links, I may receive a commission at no cost to you.
African Chicken Stew is a comforting, flavorful dish enjoyed in many African homes. What makes this style of chicken stew special is the cooking method: the chicken is first boiled with spices until tender, then fried until beautifully browned before being returned to a rich tomato and onion gravy.
The chicken broth left from boiling the chicken is also used to make the gravy, giving the stew an extra layer of flavor. The result is tender chicken coated in a delicious, savory sauce that is perfect with rice, nshima, ugali, pap, or your favorite starch.
Ingredients for African Chicken Stew
For the Chicken
- 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
- Salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon mixed herbs or dried thyme
- Water, enough to boil the chicken
- Cooking oil, for frying
For the Gravy
- 2–3 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- A little cooking oil from frying the chicken
- A small amount of the reserved chicken broth
- Salt to taste
- A little curry powder or other preferred spices
These simple ingredients create a flavorful African-style chicken stew with tender chicken and a rich tomato and onion gravy.
How to Make African Chicken Stew
Step 1: Boil the Chicken
Place the chicken pieces in a large cooking pot and add salt, curry powder, paprika, mixed herbs or dried thyme, and enough water to cover the chicken.
A large stainless steel cooking pot is useful for boiling the chicken and preparing the stew later.
Bring the chicken to a boil and cook until it is tender and cooked through.
Once the chicken is cooked, do not throw away the chicken broth. You will use it to make the gravy.
Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.
Step 2: Fry the Chicken
Heat some cooking oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
Carefully place the boiled chicken pieces into the hot oil and fry them until they are nicely browned on the outside.
Turn the chicken as needed so that the pieces brown evenly.
Once fried, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
Step 3: Remove Some of the Oil
After frying the chicken, carefully remove some of the oil from the skillet, leaving just enough to cook the onions and tomatoes.
The remaining oil will help give the gravy a delicious flavor from the fried chicken.
A spoon can be useful when working with hot oil and sauces.
Step 4: Prepare the Tomato and Onion Gravy
Add the chopped onions to the skillet and cook until they begin to soften.
Then add the chopped tomatoes and cook until the tomatoes are soft and well cooked.
Add a little salt and your preferred spices, such as a small amount of curry powder or paprika.
A wooden cooking spoon is useful for stirring the tomatoes and onions as they cook and helping them develop into a thick gravy.
Step 5: Add the Chicken Broth
Once the tomatoes and onions have cooked down into a thick mixture, add some of the reserved chicken broth from the pot where you boiled the chicken.
Stir everything together and allow the gravy to cook for a few minutes.
A stainless steel saucepan can also be useful for preparing and reducing sauces and gravies.
Step 6: Return the Gravy to the Chicken Broth
Pour the tomato and onion gravy from the frying pan back into the pot containing the remaining chicken broth.
Stir well and allow the mixture to simmer until the gravy becomes thicker and the flavors come together.
This step brings together the flavorful broth from the boiled chicken and the rich tomato and onion mixture.
Step 7: Add the Fried Chicken
Once the gravy has thickened, carefully add the fried chicken pieces back into the pot.
Stir gently so that the gravy coats the chicken without breaking the pieces apart.
Allow the chicken to simmer in the gravy for approximately 15 minutes.
This final simmer allows the fried chicken to absorb the flavors of the gravy while keeping the browned exterior.
Step 8: Serve
Your African Chicken Stew is now ready to serve.
Serve hot with:
- Nshima
- Rice
- Ugali
- Pap
- Potatoes
- Chapati
- A side of vegetables
The rich tomato gravy is especially delicious when spooned over your favorite starch.
Tips for the Best African Chicken Stew
Do not discard the chicken broth: The broth from boiling the chicken is an important part of the flavor of the finished stew.
Brown the chicken well: Frying the chicken after boiling gives it a delicious browned exterior and adds another layer of flavor.
Do not use too much oil: After frying the chicken, remove some of the oil before preparing the tomato and onion gravy.
Cook the tomatoes properly: Allow the tomatoes to cook down well before adding the chicken broth. This gives the gravy a richer flavor.
Let the chicken simmer: Give the fried chicken about 15 minutes in the finished gravy so that it can absorb the flavors.
Recommended Products for This Recipe
If you enjoy preparing traditional African meals, these kitchen essentials can make cooking this chicken stew easier:
- Large Stainless Steel Cooking Pot — Useful for boiling the chicken, preparing the broth, and finishing the stew.
- Large Non-Stick Skillet — Ideal for frying the boiled chicken until golden brown and preparing the tomato and onion gravy.
- Chef’s Knife — Useful for cutting the chicken and chopping tomatoes, onions, and other ingredients.
- Wooden Cooking Spoons — Handy for stirring the gravy, tomatoes, and onions without scratching your cookware.
- Large Serving Bowl — Perfect for serving the finished African Chicken Stew alongside nshima, rice, ugali, or other sides.
African Chicken Stew is a wonderful example of how simple ingredients can create a deeply flavorful and comforting meal. Boiling the chicken first makes it tender and creates a flavorful broth, while frying the chicken adds a delicious browned exterior.
The tomato and onion gravy then brings everything together, especially when it is made using the reserved chicken broth. After a final 15-minute simmer, the chicken is tender, flavorful, and coated in rich African-style gravy.
Whether you serve it with nshima, rice, ugali, pap, or chapati, this is the kind of hearty meal that is perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the products in this recommended list are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase through one of these links, I may receive a commission at no cost to you.
