How to Make Chicken Stew The Nigerian Way

Who doesn’t love to eat chicken? Everyone loves chicken and more significantly because of its healthy protein compared to other red meats. The love of chicken has come to stay and people will continue to invent various means of adding its super delicious taste to their meals. This brings us to learn how to make Chicken Stew.

How do I make chicken stew? We use stew with rice, yam, plantain, pasta, couscous, and many more meals. How we prepare stew may take different methods of frying or boiling. Making stew with chicken offers a unique Christmas taste, a top deal for many Nigerian homes especially on weekends and at seasonal periods. Chicken is a delectable meat that meets all forms of our home dishes like Jollof rice, salad, soups, and anything else we may love to make chicken with. I particularly love to use chicken to make my egusi soup.

The Health Benefits of Chicken Stew

Chicken in itself is healthy with tons of health benefits. 

1. Protein Source: Chicken is a great source of lean protein. Protein is essential for building and repairing tissues, supporting muscle health, and promoting a feeling of fullness, which can aid in weight management.

2. Vitamins and Minerals: Chicken stew typically includes various vegetables, which contribute essential vitamins and minerals. Carrots, onions, potatoes, and other vegetables provide vitamins A, C, and K, as well as potassium and dietary fiber.

3. Immune Support: Many of the ingredients used in chicken stew, such as garlic, onions, and certain spices, are known for their potential immune-boosting properties due to their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.

4. Heart Health: When prepared with minimal added fats and oils, chicken stew can be heart-healthy. Chicken itself is low in saturated fat compared to red meats, and including vegetables can contribute dietary fiber and antioxidants that support heart health.

5. Bone Health: Chicken contains minerals like phosphorus and calcium that are important for maintaining strong bones and teeth. Additionally, some chicken stocks or broths used in stews can provide collagen, which supports joint health.

6. Weight Management: Protein-rich meals like chicken stew can help keep you feeling full and satisfied, potentially reducing overeating and supporting weight management goals.

Here’s a traditional recipe to help you make a typical Nigerian chicken stew

Ingredients To Make Nigerian Chicken Stew

Stew

• 3 Red Bell Peppers (Tatashe)
• 5 Tomatoes Medium size
• 3 Habanero pepper Scotch bonnet – (Ata rodo)
• 1 medium onion
• 3 Cloves Garlic
• 1 Inch Ginger Root
• 1 medium onion diced
• 2 Cups Chicken Stock
• 1 Tsp Curry Powder
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 1 Tsp Rosemary
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 Chicken cubes

Chicken

• 2 lbs (about 900g) Chicken pieces (drumsticks, thighs, breast or a mix)
• 1 tsp Thyme
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 1 tsp curry powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ½ Cup Vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp. onion diced

Instructions to Make Nigerian Chicken Stew

1. In a blender, combine the onions, tomatoes, red bell peppers, scotch bonnet peppers, garlic, and ginger. Blend until you have a smooth mixture.
2. Season the chicken with thyme, paprika, curry powder, salt, and pepper, then set aside.                                                                                          Note: If you prefer the chicken fried in the stew, then you should boil the chicken for 5 -10 minutes after seasoning.
3. In a medium pot or saucepan, heat the cooking oil over medium heat, add 2tsp of diced onion to the hot oil and allow to translucent, then begin to fry the chicken until it is light brown on both ends. Remove all the fried chicken from the hot oil.
4. In that same hot oil, add the remaining diced onions, allow to simmer, then add the blended mixture to the hot oil. Cook the mixture on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the oil begins to separate from the tomato mixture. This may take about 15-25 minutes.
5. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the paprika, thyme, rosemary, curry powder, bay leaves, chicken cubes and salt. Stir well to combine and let the mixture simmer for another 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
6. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding seasoning as desired for extra flavor.
7. Add the fried or seasoned chicken pieces to the pot or coat them thoroughly with the stew mixture. If not fried, allow the chicken to cook in the stew for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking.
8. Pour in the chicken broth to reach your desired stew consistency. Cover the pot and let the chicken stew simmer for another 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
9. If the oil starts to float on top of the stew, you can be sure your stew is almost set.
10. Once the chicken is cooked and the stew has thickened, garnish with chopped fresh parsley or spring onions

Serving

You can enjoy Nigerian chicken stew with your choice of accompaniments like rice, pasta, yam, plantain, or even bread. It is known for its rich and spicy flavors. Adjust the amount of Scotch bonnet peppers to suit your heat preferences. Enjoy your delicious chicken stew!