African peanut stew (Mafe) Recipe

West African · Main course · 60 min total

A hearty, flavorful West African stew made with chicken, vegetables, and a rich peanut butter sauce, perfect for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunks
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 carrots, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown chicken on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
2. In the same pot, sauté onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, cumin, paprika, and cayenne; cook 1 minute.
3. Stir in diced tomatoes and broth. Bring to a simmer, scraping up browned bits.
4. Whisk in peanut butter until smooth. Return chicken to pot.
5. Add sweet potatoes and carrots. Simmer, covered, for 30-35 minutes until vegetables are tender and chicken is cooked through.
6. Season with salt and pepper. Serve over rice or with crusty bread, garnished with peanuts and cilantro.

Tips

• For a vegetarian version, omit chicken and use vegetable broth; add chickpeas or tofu.
• The stew thickens as it cools; thin with extra broth if needed.

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