African Chicken Stew – tasty chicken dish smothered in a savory aromatic tomato sauce the African way served with coconut rice. A great no-fuss quick and easy weeknight meal!
Stews have become a household favorite in both East and West African Countries. An African party would not be the same without some sort of stew. Contrary to what people believe, they can be quick and easy to put together and kids love it – especially paired with rice.
There are so many ways of making stews out there, and each person claiming theirs is the best. My favorite of them all is chicken stew. The flavor from the chicken can be beat.
I know I have made this  before but just cannot help but revisit this stew again . This time paired with coconut rice. Recipe here
It is customary to fry or brown the chicken however; you can completely skip this part – to make it a no fuss quick and easy weeknight meal. I do it all the time and still enjoy a really flavorful stew. This stew is a variety than one of my readers shared.
Here are some tips and guidelines for stews.
- A good African stew is one that has a noticeable tomato presence without the sharp taste.
-  If your stew is too acidic add ½ a teaspoon of curry to help reduce  or mask acidity.
Ingredient Selection
- Tomatoes; you can use canned tomatoes, fresh tomatoes or both. Roma tomatoes is preferable because of its dry skin, it’s more flavorful and makes for a thick stew. The thing I like most is that it is less acidic.
- Â Onions: you can use any variety, couple with green onions. Chopped or puree together with tomatoes.
- Spices; There are few spices that are often used in stews depending on ones preference- curry, white pepper, paprika, garlic, bay leaf and ginger.
- Herbs: Commonly use herbs are basil, parsley, celery, and thyme.
- Vegetables- use any vegetables like carrots, green beans, green
Serve this with this savory coconut rice. Recipe featured here
Chicken Stew
Ingredients
- 3 1/2- 4 pound chicken cut in pieces
- 1 can tomatoes puree
- 4-5 roma tomatoes
- 1 medium onion sliced
- 4-5 garlic cloves
- 1 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon chopped ginger
- 1 teaspoons smoked paprika
- ¼ cup parsley
- 2-3 large basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon powder
- 2 green onion chopped whites and green parts
- 1 small bell pepper slicked
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season chicken with, salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Blend tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, parsley and basil leaves.
- Pour the tomatoes blend in to a large sauce- pan, add tomato puree, paprika, thyme, white pepper and any other spice with about 2 cups of chicken stock or water. Bring to a boil, and let it simmer stirring occasionally to prevent burns, for about 20-30 minutes.
- In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat, until hot, and then add the chicken and sauté stirring, frequently, any browned bits off the bottom of the pot, until chicken is brown. Add chicken, bell pepper to the pot of stew, with about ¼ -1/2 cup oil. Cook for about 5-10 minutes. Adjust seasonings and soup consistency to taste with salt pepper and chicken stock.
Nutrition Information:
Leigh says
I made this recipe this week, only a few modifications, I forgot to buy scallions! And I think I accidentally used twice the tomato sauce needed because it had more of a marinara consistency to it. Still tasted good, and I bet it’ll be better when I do it right next time.
Immaculate Bites says
Glad it still turned out good, Leigh 🙂
Gillian D says
I have made this recipe three times now and it always turns out amazingly (even if slightly differently each time!). Thank you for sharing this!
ImmaculateBites says
Hahaha. I know exactly what you mean. Happens to me too sometimes. It usually depends on the spice brand I am using at the time. But I am glad you love this recipe. Thanks for stopping by!
Denise says
I want to make an African dish for our new priest who is from Ghana. Would this dish be a good one to make?
ImmaculateBites says
Hello Denise. Yes, this would just be great! If you like, you could also check out these other recipes;
https://www.africanbites.com/red-redafrican-stewed-black-eyed-peas/
https://www.africanbites.com/jellof-riceoven-baked/
Let me know how it works out for you.
Cass says
This looks great! What size can of tomato purée would you use?
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Cass,
14 ounce tomato puree works.
Ashley Gibson says
I made this last night and almost cried because it was soooooo delicious. Very flavorful!!!
imma africanbites says
You just made my day, girl. Thank you for the lovely feedback.
Natasha says
It’s a special day today!
I will definitely try this recipe
imma africanbites says
Yes please! And let me know how it works for you. =)
Nancy says
This recipe sounds delicious! My family is no stranger to eating different types of foods such as Asian, Middle Eastern, Indian, Italian, Mexican, etc. but one thing we haven’t really had much of is African food. One of the co op grocery stores in the city we live in had East African food on their hot bar a few weeks ago and I tried some and now I can’t get it out of my mind.
I’m going to give your recipe a try this week, with a few tweaks. I make chicken broth every week (been doing it for over 1/2 a decade now). We eat the chicken plain, or turn the broth into soup and add the chicken to that. But we are all pretty tired of plain, stewed chicken! I’m going to make a pot up of the sauce in your recipe and add the stewed chicken to it, simmer it for the 10 minutes or so, maybe add in a few other veggies like carrots, potato, or sweet potato too, as I want to make it a full meal with some veggies. Don’t know if that makes it less “authentic”, so maybe that will make it more of a “fusion” cuisine recipe? Thanks for the inspiration!!! And Happy New Year!
ImmaculateBites says
Happy New Year to you too Nancy! Am sure it’s going to be Amazing! Glad I could have been of help
Sue says
I’m a cook in a school kitchen. We are having a African day. In a weeks time.
I’m going to do your chicken stew. Hope mine taste and looks as you as yours does
ImmaculateBites says
I bet it’s going to taste even better! You are going to NAIL IT! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts Sue.
favourite says
I don’t think parsley leaves, basil leaves and paprika are being sold in Nigeria…
ImmaculateBites says
These herbs might be available depending on your neighborhood. Am sure the big super markets do carry them.Just around. You can easily make this stew without any herbs and it will still taste good.
Uju Angel says
Wow! I’m new here but like what am seeing here,I will try some of them
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome! Do let me know which ones work out best for you.
Reh says
Hi, I just found you after visiting Yummly. I left there to find this recipe of your. It was DELICIOUS! Looking forward to trying more. Thank you Imma.
Reh says
Correction – I left there to find this recipe of yours….
ImmaculateBites says
My pleasure Reh! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Malikah says
Peace and Blessings! I tried this recipe, It is real soul food! Fresh, Delicious, Filling! We love it! Thanks!
Keisha says
This recipe is sooooo good! It has become one of my staple African recipes! My husband who is a native Ghanian thinks that it is delish!
ImmaculateBites says
Aww Keisha. Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback!
Pce says
wow
Pamela says
I live in Oklahoma.I had neighbors years ago.It was 2 African men from France.They made this stew,or one like this for my mom and I…served over rice.It was spicy,but very good!I decided to search for one like they made us,and came across yours.I have it cooking now,and it smells very good.Can’t wait to have mom over tomorrow to eat this wonderful dish!Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.I love it already!
ImmaculateBites says
Aww thanks Pamela! Do let us know how your mom liked it !
Leila says
Hi Imma, I can’t thank u enough for ur wonderful recipes which have been a hit in our household. I want to try this chicken stew recipe but I’m not sure what size can to use for the tomato purée (will it be 8 or 14oz)? Eagerly awaiting ur response, thanks. P.S. I noticed that some of ur other African stew recipes don’t also specify wat size can of tomato sauce/purée to use, I will really hate to ruin ur lovely recipes by guessing wrong thanks in advance.
ImmaculateBites says
Aww, thanks Leila! 8 or 14 ounce does the Job. IF you have a bigger chicken go with 14 ounce . Do let me know how it works out for you. Thanks again!
Leila says
Hi Imma, this recipe is def pinned now, I’m so excited at how it turned out n d whole family loved it too, thanks once again!!
ImmaculateBites says
Glad it was a hit with the family. Thanks for the feedback!
Joyce-Toronto says
Am looking for the green rice posted in one of your recipes. Its 2015 and am going to try am evolve my pallet. Any sengalese recipes? Many thanks for posting the different types of greens. Will absolutely try them
ImmaculateBites says
Yes, I do have this Thieboudienne /ceebu jen (Poisson au riz) http://africanbites.com/?p=792 and Yassa chicken http://africanbites.com/?p=921. Let me know how it turns out!
Philo says
I just cooked this and it was amazing. This chicken stew reminded me of home. Thanks. Definitely a keeper 🙂
Philo says
I’m making this recipe this weekend. By the way are you in culinary school Imma. You are so creative. ..
akos says
I have not try the recipe jet but it’s looks good to me. I will try it this weekend and send u the outcome, keep posting.
ImmaculateBites says
Let me know how it works for you amos.
Gloria says
Do you have a recipe for chicken gizzard dear? I made some delicious chicken gizzard and shared it with my coworkers but now they are wanting the recipe and I don’t do well with writing one. The chicken gizzards that I made was saucy you can even eat it with rice. I just don’t know how to write a darn recipe for it.
ImmaculateBites says
Here is a chicken gizzard recipe with sauce
Gloria says
You are soo right on with the representation of the stew. It just makes it a tastier look with the tomato paste!!
MARIE says
Gurrrrrl….those pictures make me want to lay in tha’ pot right next to that chicken. Bath my little caramel skin all that rich tomatoe-ey goodness. I am so making this! You should be shamed of yourself Imma— makin me salivate like that. Lol!
ImmaculateBites says
Marie, I love you girl. You just made me smile after crying over U.S.A defeat at the world cup. Let me know how you like it.Thanks for stopping by.
bvr says
Half a teaspoon of what to reduce acidity? You omitted a word above.
Looks good though.
ImmaculateBites says
1/2 teaspoons curry.
Joyce says
How do you make savory coconut rice
ImmaculateBites says
Recipe updated.