Journey to West Africa with our West African Peanut Stew with Chicken and Sweet Potatoes! This is not just a meal; it's a comforting stew that combines traditional ingredients in a way that is both satisfying and steeped in cultural tradition. Ideal for weeknight dinners, it's packed with flavors that cater to both health-conscious individuals and those looking to entertain.
West African Peanut Stew, often referred to as Groundnut Stew, is a popular dish across West Africa. It combines the nutty peanuts with chicken, all simmered in a tomato-based broth that's subtly sweetened with sweet potatoes and brightened with a hint of lime.
This stew reflects the heart of West African cooking—generous, spicy, and unforgettably delicious.
Why We Love This Recipe:
- Hearty and Nutritious: Packed with lean protein from chicken and fiber-rich sweet potatoes.
- One-Pot: Simplifies cooking and cleanup, ideal for busy weeknights.
- Versatile and Adaptable: Easily adjusted to suit various dietary needs and preferences.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for family gatherings or casual entertaining, satisfying every palate.
If you like this soup recipe, you may also love our Moroccan Soup or our Thai Coconut Soup.
Jump to:
- What Ingredients Will You Need?
- Instructions
- What Are Some Good Substitutions?
- How Can You Change This Recipe Up?
- What Kitchen Equipment Is Best?
- How Should You Store This?
- What Are Some Expert Tips?
- More Recipes You'll Love ♥️
- Frequently Asked Questions
- 📖 Recipe
- Important Food Safety Tips
- 💬 Share Your Thoughts
*broth not shown
What Ingredients Will You Need?
- Chicken Thighs (Boneless, Skinless): Lean protein that forms the base of the stew.
- Sweet Potatoes: Adds a mild sweetness and hearty texture.
- Spinach: Introduces a fresh, green element packed with nutrients.
- Natural Peanut Butter: Infuses the stew with a rich, creamy texture and nutty flavor.
- Chicken Stock: Provides the liquid base, enhancing the overall savoriness.
- Tomato Paste: Deepens the stew's color and enriches the tomato flavor.
- Onion: Fundamental for a flavorful base, offering sweetness when cooked.
- Garlic: Adds a pungent, aromatic depth crucial for the stew's base flavor.
- Coconut Milk: Brings creaminess and a subtle tropical sweetness.
- Garbanzo Beans: Contributes texture and protein, making the stew more filling.
- Lime: Brightens the dish with a touch of acidity.
- Sesame Oil: Used for sautéing; adds a slight nutty undertone.
- Curry Powder: Provides warmth and complexity with a mix of spices.
- Red Pepper Flakes and Cayenne Pepper: Introduces heat, adjustable to taste.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the flavors.
Garnish
- Crushed Pistachio
- Cilantro
Note: Refer to the recipe card below for exact quantities.
Instructions
How to Make African Peanut Stew with Chicken and Sweet Potatoes
STEP ONE: Sear the Chicken
Trim any excess fat from the chicken. Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes and season with salt and pepper.
Heat 2 tablespoons of the toasted sesame oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs and sear until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
STEP TWO: Sauté Onion and Garlic
In the same pot, add the remaining sesame oil. Sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until fragrant, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the curry powder, crushed red pepper flakes, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes to release their flavors.
Mix in the tomato paste and hand-crushed tomatoes. Stir in the peanut butter and cook until the mixture starts to thicken, about 7-10 minutes.
STEP THREE: Combine Ingredients
Add the diced sweet potatoes, chicken pieces, and chicken stock, bringing the mixture to a simmer. Cook until the sweet potatoes are tender and the chicken is cooked through, about 20-25 minutes.
Pour in the drained and rinsed garbanzo beans and coconut milk. Stir to combine.
STEP FOUR: Finish and Serve
Mix in the chopped spinach (or collard greens) and simmer until wilted, about 5 minutes. Stir in the lime juice, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Serve the stew in bowls, garnishing with crushed roasted pistachios and chopped cilantro. Enjoy this one-pot meal with warm naan or steamed basmati rice.
What Are Some Good Substitutions?
Homemade Chicken Stock: Substitute with boxed chicken stock or broth.
Chicken: Vegan? Use chickpeas or tofu instead.
Sweet Potatoes: Substitute with butternut squash for a similar texture.
Peanut Butter: Almond butter can be used as an alternative.
How Can You Change This Recipe Up?
Diet: Make it vegan by substituting chicken with chickpeas.
Flavor: Add smoked paprika for a deeper smoky taste.
Spice: Add a Scotch bonnet pepper for authentic heat.
What Kitchen Equipment Is Best?
This post shows some of our kitchen essentials. Please visit our shop if you would like to see more of our favorites. These are Amazon affiliate links and we earn commission from qualifying purchases.
- Large pot
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
How Should You Store This?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To freeze West African Peanut Stew, allow it to cool completely after cooking, then transfer it to airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.
What Are Some Expert Tips?
If the stew becomes too thick, thin it out with a bit more chicken stock or water to reach your desired consistency. If it's too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a bit longer to reduce and thicken.
Let the stew sit for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator for improved flavor.
Gently reheat on the stove or in the microwave, adding a little water if the stew thickens too much.
More Recipes You'll Love ♥️
Have Leftover Ingredients?
- Leftover fresh spinach goes well in any salad. Try this Warm Bacon and Spinach Salad.
- Create a sweet potato hash for breakfast.
- Blend leftover spinach into a nutritious green smoothie.
Need Something To Pair This With?
- A simple cucumber salad.
- Steamed jasmine rice.
- Fried plantains for a sweet contrast.
In The Mood For a Similar Dish?
- Black bean soup
- Senegalese Mafé
- Nigerian Jollof Rice
- Moroccan Chicken Tagine
- Thai Coconut Curry Chicken.
More lunch recipes you will love:
Frequently Asked Questions
West African Peanut Stew, also known as Groundnut Stew, is unique because it blends the rich, creamy texture of peanut butter with ingredients like chicken and sweet potatoes, and it's spiced with flavors such as curry and cayenne. This combination sets it apart from other global cuisines.
Absolutely! To make a vegan version of West African Peanut Stew, replace the chicken with plant-based alternatives such as chickpeas or tofu. Ensure your peanut butter and other ingredients are vegan-friendly.
Leftover West African Peanut Stew can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. To reheat, simply warm the stew in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. For longer storage, you can freeze the stew for up to three months.
📖 Recipe
African Stew
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and diced
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 6 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 bunch fresh spinach thoroughly washed and coarsely chopped (or collard greens for a traditional touch)
- 1 14 ounce can full-fat coconut milk
- 1 15 ounce can garbanzo beans drained and rinsed
- 1 28 ounce can San Marzano tomatoes hand-crushed, juices drained
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup smooth natural peanut butter
- 8 cups homemade or boxed chicken stock
- Juice of 2 limes
- ⅓ cup toasted sesame oil
- 1 ½ tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- handful of roasted pistachios or roasted peanuts crushed (for garnish)
- fresh cilantro roughly chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Trim any excess fat from the chicken. Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of the toasted sesame oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs and sear until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the remaining sesame oil. Sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the curry powder, crushed red pepper flakes, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes to release their flavors.
- Mix in the tomato paste and hand-crushed tomatoes. Stir in the peanut butter and cook until the mixture starts to thicken, about 7-10 minutes.
- Add the diced sweet potatoes, chicken pieces, and chicken stock, bringing the mixture to a simmer. Cook until the sweet potatoes are tender and the chicken is cooked through, about 20-25 minutes.
- Pour in the drained and rinsed garbanzo beans and coconut milk. Stir to combine.
- Mix in the chopped spinach (or collard greens) and simmer until wilted, about 5 minutes. Stir in the lime juice, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Serve the stew in bowls, garnishing with crushed roasted pistachios and chopped cilantro.
Notes
- Homemade Chicken Stock: Substitute with chicken broth.
- Chicken: Vegan? Use chickpeas or tofu instead.
- Sweet Potatoes: Substitute with butternut squash for a similar texture.
- Peanut Butter: Almond butter can be used as an alternative.
Nutrition
West African Peanut Stew with Chicken is more than just a meal; it's a comforting soup filled with culture, love, and warmth. Perfect for any day of the week, it's sure to become a staple in your meal rotation.
Try it tonight, share your results, or explore more intriguing recipes from West Africa!
Important Food Safety Tips
Cook chicken to a minimum internal temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Create a clean work area.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat or seafood.
- Rinse fresh produce thoroughly.
- Do not use the same cutting board or utensils on cooked food or produce, that previously touched raw meat or seafood.
- Do not leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Amanda
love it!
Jami Powell
Glad to hear, Amanda! 🙂