This Spicy Nigerian Chicken Stew is a rich, flavorful West African classic made with blended tomatoes, red bell peppers, and perfectly seasoned chicken. Bold, comforting, and irresistibly spicy!
🌶️ Why You’ll Love This Nigerian Chicken Stew
Few dishes capture the heart of West African cuisine like a bowl of Nigerian Chicken Stew.
It’s bold, spicy, deeply savory, and pairs beautifully with rice, yams, or plantains.
Made with simple pantry ingredients — tomatoes, red peppers, onions, and spices — this stew is slow-cooked until the flavors meld together into a thick, aromatic sauce.
It’s the perfect balance of heat, richness, and home-cooked comfort.
🍅 Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 2 lbs chicken pieces (drumsticks, thighs, or bone-in breasts)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, chopped
For the Tomato-Pepper Blend:
- 4 large ripe tomatoes
- 2 red bell peppers
- 1 medium onion
- 2–3 Scotch bonnet or habanero peppers (adjust for spice level)
For the Stew:
- ¼ cup vegetable oil (traditional) or olive oil (lighter option)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1–2 seasoning cubes (Maggi or Knorr)
- Salt to taste
🔥 How to Make Spicy Nigerian Chicken Stew
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
In a large bowl, season chicken with salt, pepper, curry powder, thyme, paprika, garlic, and onions. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for deeper flavor).
Step 2: Blend the Peppers and Tomatoes
In a blender, combine tomatoes, bell peppers, Scotch bonnets, and onion. Blend until smooth.
Step 3: Fry the Chicken
Heat 2–3 tablespoons of oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Brown the marinated chicken pieces on both sides until golden. Remove and set aside.
Step 4: Cook the Stew Base
In the same pot, add remaining oil and tomato paste. Fry for 2–3 minutes until slightly darkened.
Add the blended tomato-pepper mix carefully (it may splatter).
Cook uncovered for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce reduces and the raw tomato flavor cooks out.
Step 5: Combine & Simmer
Return the browned chicken to the pot. Add curry powder, thyme, seasoning cubes, and salt to taste.
Simmer on low heat for another 20–30 minutes, until the chicken is tender and the sauce is rich and thick.
Step 6: Adjust Seasoning & Serve
Taste and adjust salt or spice as needed. Serve hot with rice, fried plantains, or yam.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Nigerian Chicken Stew is incredibly versatile! Try serving it with:
- White rice or jollof rice
- Boiled or fried yams
- Plantains (dodo)
- Eba, fufu, or pounded yam for a traditional West African meal
🌿 Tips for the Best Nigerian Chicken Stew
- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh peppers and tomatoes make all the difference.
- Fry the sauce properly: It deepens the flavor and reduces acidity.
- Control the heat: Start with 1 Scotch bonnet and increase as desired.
- For extra flavor: Add a bay leaf or a touch of ground crayfish while simmering.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerate: Keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: Store in airtight containers for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stove over low heat or microwave in intervals.
⭐ FAQs
Can I use boneless chicken?
Yes, though traditional versions use bone-in chicken for richer flavor.
Can I make this less spicy?
Absolutely! Reduce the number of Scotch bonnets or replace them with milder chili peppers.
What oil is best?
Vegetable or sunflower oil gives authentic flavor, but you can use olive oil for a lighter version.
❤️ Final Thoughts
This Spicy Nigerian Chicken Stew is pure comfort in a bowl — rich, spicy, and full of soul.
It’s a staple across Nigeria for a reason: simple ingredients, bold flavors, and endless versatility.
Serve it for Sunday dinner or any time you crave something warm and satisfying — and you’ll see why it’s one of West Africa’s most beloved dishes.