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    You Are Here Home » Soup and Stew Recipes

    Published: Feb 15, 2020 Updated: Feb 4, 2022 by Hilda Sterner | This post may contain affiliate links 18 Comments

    African Chicken Stew (with peanut butter)

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    African Chicken Stew

    Delicious African Chicken Stew, loaded with chunks of chicken, and crunchy peanut butter bits. All this goodness, and ready in 30 minutes! Serve this zesty stew with some crusty bread, or homemade sourdough bread for a filling meal. Now with Instant Pot directions!

    African chicken stew in a white bowl on a green placemat

    The peanut butter gives the stew a creamy texture, while the garlic, curry, ginger, and crushed red pepper add an incredible flavor depth. Tender chunks of chicken and crunchy bits of peanuts make this stew a new favorite around my house!

    Jump to:
    • 🧐About this Recipe
    • 🛒What Goes into This Recipe
    • 🍲How to Make This Recipe
    • 🥘Instant Pot African Chicken Stew
    • 🍽Serving Suggestions
    • 🤷🏻‍♀️Recipe FAQs
    • 👩🏼‍🍳Pro Tips
    • 🍖Related Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🧐About this Recipe

    Recently, we were invited to lunch at Marguerite's house. Marguerite is my husband's second cousin and lives 45 minutes away in Whitefish, Montana. One of the perks of moving to Montana has been getting to know Marguerite, who is just a treasure.

    Marguerite served this soup with some delicious crusty bread and followed the fantastic lunch with homemade pumpkin pie! I made very slight changes to her recipe because honestly, it was pretty close to perfect already.

    🛒What Goes into This Recipe

    🍲How to Make This Recipe

    Step 1: Chop chicken breasts into 1"- 2" chunks and roughly chop the onion.

    Step 2: In a large Dutch oven, heat the sesame oil. Mix salt, black pepper, curry, ginger, and crushed red pepper until combined and stir with chopped chicken and onions.

    pouring spices over chicken in a pot
    chopped chicken and onions in a bowl

    Step 3: Sauté the spiced chicken and onion mixture in a Dutch oven until the chicken is browned, for approximately 5 minutes. Add garlic during the last minute.

    chicken and onions in a pot
    chicken and onions in  a pot

    Step 4: Mix stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, and chicken broth in the same bowl the chicken was in. Stir the mixture in with the chicken and onions.

    Step 5: Simmer, covered, over medium heat for 15 minutes. Next, stir the crunchy peanut butter into the stew and cook for an additional 10 minutes on low.

    peanut butter being poured into stew
    peanut stew being stirred

    Step 6: Meanwhile, toast peanuts in a hot pan for a couple of minutes.

    roasting peanuts in a pan

    Step 7: Serve stew in deep bowls, topped with a tablespoon of roasted peanuts and chopped fresh cilantro (optional).

    african peanut soup in a white bowl on a green placemat

    Step 8: Another option is to serve the stew with sliced crusty bread for dipping. Or, serve the stew over creamy coconut rice.

    🥘Instant Pot African Chicken Stew

    • Chop chicken breasts into 1"- 2" chunks and roughly chop the onion.
    • Add the sesame oil to the Instant Pot and choose "saute."
    • Mix salt, black pepper, curry, ginger, and crushed red pepper until combined and stir with chopped chicken and onions.
    • Add the chicken and onions to the Instant Pot and set a timer for 5 minutes.
    • Sauté the spiced chicken and onion mixture until the chicken is browned for approximately 5 minutes. Add chopped garlic during the last minute. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pot, to avoid "burn" error.
    • Mix stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, and chicken broth in the same bowl the chicken was in. Stir the mixture with the chicken and onions.
    • Cover with the lid and lock it into place. Set the valve to the "seal" position, choose "high pressure," and set the time to 20 minutes.
    • When the time is up, "quick release" the pressure. Unlock the lid and mix in the peanut butter.
    • Lock the lid once more and move the lever to "seal." Cook on high pressure for another 5 minutes, followed by a "quick release." Enjoy!

    🍽Serving Suggestions

    African Chicken Stew is delicious on its own or with some crusty bread. If you want a more authentic side, try it with Fufu! Not Sure what that is, I'm sure you're not alone! This What is Fufu blog post from Louisa at Food Plus Words will tell you everything you want to know and more!

    🤷🏻‍♀️Recipe FAQs

    Is African Chicken Stew the Same as African Peanut Soup?

    The internet is littered with versions of this stew. Some of the recipes are listed as African Chicken Stew, while others are called African Peanut Soup.

    Some of the recipes have sweet potatoes, collard greens, and a wide array of spices including cinnamon, cloves, and cumin.

    Still, others call for coconut milk, which I plan on experimenting with in the future. I love it in my Goat Curry Stew recipe, so I'm sure it would go perfectly in this recipe too!

    This recipe is just one of the many versions available online. I recommend starting with this recipe and making adjustments to your liking.

    Where did peanut soup originate?

    According to Wikipedia, peanuts stew or soup is a staple food in Western Africa and originated from the Mandinka and Bambara people of Mali.

    👩🏼‍🍳Pro Tips

    • The original recipe called for ½ cup of sesame oil and one cup of peanut butter. If you don't mind the additional calories, experiment with the peanut butter and sesame oil ratios.
    • If you prefer a creamy stew consistency, remove the chicken with a slotted spoon. Blend the soup with a hand-held immersion blender until it reaches the desired consistency then add the cooked chicken.
    • Although you can use creamy or chunky peanut butter, I prefer the added crunch that the chunky peanut butter provides.
    • For a chunkier stew, add one chopped sweet potato when you add the chicken. If cooking the stew in an Instant Pot, add the sweet potato when you add the peanut butter.

    🍖Related Recipes

    • potato stew with herbs on the side
      Lamb or Beef Potato Stew
    • okra stew over rice and scallions
      Bamya (Middle Eastern Okra Stew with Lamb)
    • ras asfour in a bowl
      Meatball Stew (Ras Asfour Recipe)
    • goat curry in a white dish
      Jamaican Goat Curry Stew

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

    Stay in touch with me through social media @ Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook. Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

    📖 Recipe

    African chicken stew in a white bowl on a green placemat

    African Chicken Stew

    Delicious chicken and peanut stew, with a deep and rich flavor that's hard to resist! Now with Instant Pot directions too!
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course, Soup
    Cuisine: African
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 10 servings
    Calories: 262kcal
    Author: Hilda Sterner

    Ingredients

    • 3 cups cubed chicken breast (20 oz or 3 breasts)
    • ¼ cup sesame oil
    • 1 large onion (chopped)
    • 1½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 tablespoon curry
    • 1 teaspoon ginger powder
    • 2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or less for a milder stew)
    • 5 cloves garlic (minced)
    • 2 14.5 oz diced stewed tomatoes
    • 2 14.5 oz chicken broth
    • 3 oz tomato paste (half a can)
    • ¾ cup peanut butter (or up to one cup)
    • roasted/chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro (optional)

    Instructions

    • Chop chicken breasts into 1"- 2" chunks and roughly chop the onion.
    • In a large Dutch oven, heat the sesame oil. Mix salt, black pepper, curry, ginger, and crushed red pepper until combined and stir with chopped chicken and onions.
    • Sauté the spiced chicken and onion mixture in a Dutch oven until the chicken is browned for approximately 5 minutes. Add garlic during the last minute.
    • Mix stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, and chicken broth in the same bowl the chicken was in. Stir the mixture in with the chicken and onions.
    • Simmer, covered, over medium heat for 15 minutes. Next, stir the crunchy peanut butter into the stew and cook for an additional 10 minutes on low.
    • Meanwhile, toast peanuts in a hot pan for a couple of minutes.
    • Serve stew in deep bowls, topped with a tablespoon of roasted peanuts, and chopped fresh cilantro (optional).
    • Another option is to serve the stew with sliced crusty bread for dipping. Or, serve the stew over creamy coconut rice.

    Instant Pot Instructions

    • Chop chicken breasts into 1"- 2" chunks and roughly chop the onion.
    • Add the sesame oil to the Instant Pot and choose "saute." 
    • Mix salt, black pepper, curry, ginger, and crushed red pepper until combined and stir with chopped chicken and onions.
    • Add the chicken and onions to the Instant pot and set a timer for 5 minutes.
    • Sauté the spiced chicken and onion mixture until the chicken is browned for approximately 5 minutes. Add chopped garlic during the last minute. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pot, to avoid "burn" error.
    • Mix stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, and chicken broth in the same bowl the chicken was in. Stir the mixture in with the chicken and onions.
    • Cover with the lid and lock it into place. Set the valve to the "seal" position, choose "high pressure," and set the time to 20 minutes. When the time is up, "quick release" the pressure.
    • Unlock the lid and mix in the peanut butter.
    • Lock the lid once more and move the lever to "seal." Cook on high pressure for another 5 minutes, followed by a "quick release." Mix to combine the peanutbutter.
    • Serve stew in deep bowls, topped with a tablespoon of roasted peanuts, and chopped fresh cilantro (optional).

    Notes

    • The original recipe called for ½ cup of sesame oil and one cup of peanut butter. If you don't mind the additional calories, experiment with the peanut butter and sesame oil ratios.
    • If you prefer a creamy stew consistency, remove the chicken with a slotted spoon. Blend the soup with a hand-held immersion blender until it reaches the desired consistency then add the cooked chicken.
    • Although you can use creamy or chunky peanut butter, I prefer the added crunch that the chunky peanut butter provides.
    • For a chunkier stew, add one chopped sweet potato when you add the chicken. If cooking the stew in an Instant Pot, add the sweet potato when you add the peanut butter.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cup | Calories: 262kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 789mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g
    Tried this Recipe? Please leave A Star Rating!Mention @HildasKitchenBlog or tag #HildasKitchenBlog!

    This recipe was originally published on Feb. 15, 2020. It was updated on Oct. 5, 2020 by adding Instant Pot instructions.

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    1. Rasheedah says

      March 07, 2022 at 9:23 am

      5 stars
      Thank you for this recipe! It comes together so quickly but is amazingly flavorful. It's one of my favorite things and I had not been able to find it locally. I made this today for lunch and it made me so happy. A dash of hot sauce at the end puts it over the top. (Personal preference).

      Reply
      • Hilda Sterner says

        March 07, 2022 at 9:27 am

        Hi Rasheedah,
        Thank you for the sweet review. I'm so glad you like the stew. I totally approve of the hot sauce and do the same. Unfortunately, not all my readers like spicy food as much as I do, so I have to keep everyone happy. 😉

        Reply
    2. Carol Holcomb says

      August 26, 2021 at 2:34 pm

      I’d like to prepare this dish and freeze it ahead of time. Will freezing it work?

      Reply
      • Hilda Sterner says

        August 26, 2021 at 2:47 pm

        Yes, I have frozen it when I had leftovers and enjoyed it months later.

        Reply
    3. Kelly Methey says

      April 03, 2021 at 7:50 am

      5 stars
      This is so delicious! What a special treat to hang with friends and get this fantastic dish for lunch! I loved it and can’t wait to make it for my soup loving husband! Thank you Hilda!

      Reply
      • Hilda Sterner says

        April 03, 2021 at 8:03 am

        Thanks, Kelly, definitely one of my favorites too! I think Art will also love it.

        Reply
    4. Kathy Fisher says

      March 31, 2021 at 5:28 pm

      5 stars
      All of us girlfriends loved having this amazing soup/stew today. It was delicious. As always Hilda our outdo yourself. Thanks.

      Reply
      • Hilda Sterner says

        March 31, 2021 at 6:30 pm

        You're so sweet to leave a review, thank you!! ❤️

        Reply
    5. Janelle Leatherwood says

      October 14, 2020 at 1:03 pm

      5 stars
      This is a wonderful stew and even my pickiest eater liked it! Woot! Woot! It was fantastic poured over plain Basmati Rice, but if I'm making it for company, I'm definitely going the extra mile to make it with your creamy coconut rice, which also sounds divine.

      Reply
      • Hilda Sterner says

        October 14, 2020 at 7:16 pm

        Hi Janelle,
        Thank you so much for the comment and the review. I'm so glad you and your family enjoyed it. I haven't met anyone who hasn't liked it yet!

        Reply
    6. Saundra says

      March 08, 2020 at 5:39 pm

      5 stars
      Easy and yummy! And novel (at least for me.)

      Reply
      • HildaSterner says

        March 08, 2020 at 6:01 pm

        Hi Saundra,
        Thanks for stopping by and leaving a review. I really appreciate it! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Kelly Methey says

      February 22, 2020 at 7:04 pm

      5 stars
      This sounds so delicious and easy to make! Looking forward to trying it soon!

      Reply
      • HildaSterner says

        February 23, 2020 at 7:14 am

        You will love it, everyone does!

        Reply
    8. Terry says

      February 18, 2020 at 7:07 pm

      I made your African Chicken Stew tonight. It was amazing. I even went to the store today to get all the the exact ingredients to make it. The only thing I did differently was to use cooked leftover rotisserie chicken from Costco which I spooned over Spanish rice. We had crusty bread and butter on the side. Thanks, this one is a winner!

      Reply
      • HildaSterner says

        February 19, 2020 at 10:41 am

        Hi Terry,
        Glad you guys liked it, and thanks for coming back and leaving a review! I definitely think this is a keeper and look forward to making it again and again!

        Reply
    9. Kathy Fisher says

      February 16, 2020 at 12:41 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious is an understatement. Tasting is believing. You won't be disappointed. Thank you and Marguerite for this great recipe.

      Reply
      • HildaSterner says

        February 16, 2020 at 2:05 pm

        I wasn't exaggerating, right? We just enjoyed some for lunch too!

        Reply

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