Moambe
chicken, a beloved dish from Central Africa, features chicken simmered in a
rich and flavorful sauce made with palm butter, peanuts, and spices. Here’s how
to make it:
Ingredients
·
1
whole chicken (cut into pieces) or 2–3 lbs chicken thighs/drumsticks
·
3
tablespoons vegetable oil
·
1
large onion, finely chopped
·
3
cloves garlic, finely chopped
·
1-inch
piece ginger, grated
·
1–2
bell peppers (optional, for seasoning), finely chopped
·
1
cup tomato paste
·
1
cup chicken broth or water
·
1/2
cup peanut butter (unsweetened)
·
1
cup canned palm butter (or substitute an additional 1/2 cup peanut butter if
unavailable)
·
1
tsp smoked paprika
·
1
tsp ground coriander
·
Salt
and pepper to taste
·
Fresh
cilantro or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Prepare
the Chicken
Season
the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
Heat
the vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Brown
the chicken pieces on all sides, then remove and set aside.
Sauté
Aromatic
Add
the chopped onion, garlic, ginger and bell pepper (if using) to the same pot.
Cook
until the onion is soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
Add
tomato paste and spices
Stir
in the tomato paste, smoked paprika and ground coriander.
Cook
for another 2 minutes, allowing the tomato paste to caramelize slightly.
Make
the Sauce
Add
the chicken stock or water. Stir to combine.
Add
the peanut butter and palm butter, stirring until the mixture is smooth and
well blended.
Cook
the Chicken
Place
the chicken pieces back in the pot.
Cover
and simmer over low heat for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the
chicken is tender and cooked through.
Adjust
and Garnish
Taste
and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Garnish
with chopped coriander or parsley before serving.
Serve
Moambe Chicken with steamed rice, fufu or cassava. It also pairs well with
sautéed vegetables or plantains.
Enjoy this rich and flavorful dish, often considered one of Africa's great culinary treasures!
