Chicken Maafe — West African Peanut Stew (The Peanut Rule)

peanut butter

🥗Healthier: natural almond butter

💰Cheaper: sunflower seed butter

Almond butter offers healthy fats with fewer calories.

chicken

🥗Healthier: turkey

💰Cheaper: chicken thighs

Turkey is leaner, while thighs are often less expensive.

vegetable oil

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Olive oil adds flavor and is healthier.

cayenne pepper

🥗Healthier: paprika

💰Cheaper: black pepper

Paprika provides color without the heat.

Choose peanuts: raw, lightly toasted, or unsalted peanut butter based on desired flavor profile.

Remove chicken skin from thighs or drums to avoid competing flavors with peanuts.

Heat a thin layer of high smoke point neutral oil in a pan over medium low heat.

Sear the chicken until pale golden, avoiding browning to maintain flavor balance.

Remove chicken and skim off most of the fat from the pan.

Add onions to the pan to form a savory base, cooking gently to release their water content without caramelizing.

Crush a few cloves of garlic and add them to the onions, cooking them gently to avoid burning.

Optionally add tomato puree for umami and sweetness, or use fresh tomatoes depending on the region.

Add an umami booster like salted anchovies or fermented fish, stirring to cook off the strong flavors.

Return the chicken to the pan and add enough water to cover it. Adjust salt considering the anchovies' saltiness.

Pierce a whole scotch bonnet and add it for fruity heat, then cover and simmer gently for half an hour.

After 30 minutes, prepare peanuts by mixing them with cooking liquid in a large bowl to form a smooth paste.

Return the peanut mixture to the pot, mixing well with the chicken and other ingredients.

Optionally add root vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots to thicken the sauce.

Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, avoiding adding water too early.

After 20 minutes, add optional cabbage and cook for another 10 to 15 minutes, mixing gently.

For the last 10 minutes, leave the pot undisturbed to allow oil to split, indicating doneness.

Turn off the stove and let the stew rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens