Best 6 North African Chicken And Spinach Stew Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Discover the tantalizing aromas and flavors of North Africa with our exploration of the best recipe for chicken and spinach stew. This flavorful dish combines succulent chicken, tender spinach, and a symphony of spices to create a culinary masterpiece that will transport your taste buds to the vibrant lands of North Africa. From traditional family recipes passed down through generations to innovative culinary creations, this article will guide you through the steps to craft an authentic and unforgettable chicken and spinach stew that will leave your family and friends craving for more.

Let's cook with our recipes!

NORTH AFRICAN CHICKEN AND SPINACH STEW



North African Chicken and Spinach Stew image

This dish is my mother's interpretation of a meal we had at a friend's birthday party when we were young. We came home raving about it and had to try making it for ourselves!

Provided by Jazz Smollett-Warwell

Categories     HarperCollins     HarperCollins     Dinner     Chicken     Soup/Stew     Stew     Spinach     Paprika     Oregano     Rice     Cinnamon     Garlic

Yield 4-6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 whole chicken (about 2 1/2 pounds)
3 celery stalks, roughly chopped
2 carrots, roughly chopped
1 medium onion, roughly chopped
3 bay leaves
Sea salt
10 garlic cloves
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) salted butter
1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1 cinnamon stick
10 ounces baby spinach, chopped (about 8 cups)
1 tablespoon granulated onion
1 tablespoon granulated garlic
1 tablespoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano
Cooked basmati rice, for serving
Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

Steps:

  • PLACE the chicken in a large pot and cover it with water. Add the celery, carrot, onion, and bay leaves and season with 1 tablespoon salt. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes.
  • REMOVE the chicken to a deep dish or bowl and let it drain. Strain the stock into a large bowl or pan and set aside. Transfer the vegetables from the strainer to a blender (remove the bay leaves), add the garlic, and puree until completely smooth. Set aside.
  • TO make the spinach stew, in a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter. When it's bubbling slightly, add the vegetable puree. Warm it through, about 2 minutes. Season with 1 teaspoon salt, the pepper, and the cinnamon stick, then add the spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups of the reserved stock and bring to a simmer. Cook to let the flavors develop, about 15 minutes. Reduce the heat and keep warm (remove the cinnamon stick before serving).
  • MEANWHILE, when the chicken is cool enough to handle, pat it completely dry and break it down into 8 pieces: 2 thighs, 2 wings, and 2 breasts, then split the breasts in half. Place the chicken pieces in a large dish. Combine the granulated onion, granulated garlic, paprika, cayenne, oregano, and 1 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Completely coat the chicken in this dry rub.
  • MELT the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. Add the chicken pieces and sear until charred in spots, about 4 minutes. Flip and cook on the other side, 4 minutes. Remove from the heat.
  • SERVE the chicken with rice and a generous ladle of spinach stew. Squeeze lemon over the plate if desired.

NORTH AFRICAN CHICKEN AND RICE



North African Chicken and Rice image

I'm always looking to try recipes from different cultures, and this one is a huge favorite. We love the spice combinations. This cooks equally well in a slow cooker or a pressure cooker. -Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 4h10m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 medium onion, diced
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)
1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 cup golden raisins
1/2 to 1 cup chopped pitted green olives
1 medium lemon, sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup chicken broth or water
4 cups hot cooked brown rice

Steps:

  • In a 3- or 4-qt. slow cooker, combine onion and oil. Place chicken thighs on top of onion; sprinkle with next 7 ingredients. Top with raisins, olives, lemon and garlic. Add broth. Cook, covered, on low until chicken is tender, 4-5 hours. Serve with hot cooked rice.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 386 calories, Fat 13g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 76mg cholesterol, Sodium 556mg sodium, Carbohydrate 44g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 25g protein.

WEST AFRICAN-STYLE PEANUT STEW WITH CHICKEN



West African-Style Peanut Stew with Chicken image

African-inspired spices infuse the peanut butter and tomato base of this hearty one-pot stew starring chicken, sweet potatoes, and collard greens. This recipe, which appeared in Allrecipes magazine's Dec/Jan 2020 issue, comes from Ellie's new cookbook, "Whole in One: Complete, Healthy Meals in a Single Pot, Sheet Pan, or Skillet". This keeps up to 4 days, chilled in an airtight container.

Provided by Ellie Krieger

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Stews     Chicken

Time 1h

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 teaspoon salt, divided
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
3 tablespoons peanut oil, divided
2 cups diced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger root
1 teaspoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 (14.5 ounce) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes with juices
1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
½ bunch collard greens, tough ribs removed and leaves chopped
2 red bell peppers, seeded and chopped
⅓ cup natural peanut butter
6 tablespoons chopped peanuts

Steps:

  • Season chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and the black pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add half the chicken; cook until no longer pink, 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer to a plate. Repeat with 1 tablespoon oil and remaining chicken.
  • Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pot and reduce heat to medium. Add onion; cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, coriander, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring, 30 seconds.
  • Stir in broth, tomatoes, sweet potato, collard greens, and red bell peppers; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, partially covered, until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
  • Return chicken and accumulated juices to the pot. Return to a boil, then stir in peanut butter; simmer until incorporated and chicken is cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped peanuts.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 444.2 calories, Carbohydrate 32.9 g, Cholesterol 61.2 mg, Fat 21.2 g, Fiber 7.4 g, Protein 33.2 g, SaturatedFat 4.2 g, Sodium 702.1 mg, Sugar 11 g

SPICY, HOT AFRICAN CHICKEN WITH SPINACH



Spicy, Hot African Chicken With Spinach image

For years I had been trying to replicate a dish that was prepared for me by an African family. Finally, during a random sales call, an African telemarketer was gracious enough to help me piece together the missing ingredients. This is a hot, spicy, thick stew that is completely addictive. It contains chicken, peanut butter, and spinach. There are some other variations of the African stew out there, but none compare to this. The secret to the stew is both peanut butter and spinach together. That is how the sauce gets its deep color. The peanut butter oil and spice combine to make sauce unbelievably thick and savory.

Provided by Matt Weber

Categories     Stew

Time 1h15m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 tablespoons curry powder
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
3 chicken bouillon cubes
12 pieces chicken (legs and thighs)
4 -6 garlic cloves
8 ounces spinach
2 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons olive oil
4 cups water
2 tablespoons peanut butter (with sugar)

Steps:

  • Rinse off chicken and cut off extra fat. Sprinkle with salt. Set aside.
  • Peel garlic cloves (4-6).
  • Wash and dry spinach.
  • Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot. Keep heat low so oil does not smoke.
  • Add garlic to oil in pan and heat until brown, remove with spoon and set aside (be careful)
  • Add chicken to pan and turn heat to medium.
  • Put a good sear on the chicken until it is browned.
  • Add half water to pan and deglaze. This will get the chicken flavor off the bottom of the pan.
  • Add bouillon and pepper to water and bring to a boil. You now have your chicken simmering in a broth.
  • Reduce pan liquid by half. Cook until chicken is falling off the bone.
  • Add peanut butter, browned garlic, and paprika.
  • Add spinach and stir until all ingredient have integrated (10 minutes at least).
  • Watch it close so it doesn't burn.
  • The stew should be thick when you remove it. If its runny then let it simmer until it thickens.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 261.7, Fat 24.7, SaturatedFat 6.6, Cholesterol 15.7, Sodium 2432.5, Carbohydrate 8.9, Fiber 3.7, Sugar 1.8, Protein 5.1

WEST AFRICAN CHICKEN STEW



West African Chicken Stew image

I really love African flavors, but you don't really encounter them much in the U.S. Here the combination of native African ingredients, all of which can be found in the States, transports you to a new culinary place. -Michael Cohen, Los Angeles, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Yield 8 servings (2-1/2 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 teaspoons canola oil, divided
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons minced fresh gingerroot
2 cans (15-1/2 ounces each) black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, divided
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Hot cooked brown rice, optional

Steps:

  • Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. In a Dutch oven, cook chicken over medium heat in 2 teaspoons oil for 4-6 minutes or until no longer pink; remove and set aside., In the same pan, saute onion in remaining oil until tender. Add garlic and ginger; cook 1 minute longer., Stir in the peas, tomatoes, sweet potato, broth, peanut butter, 1-1/4 teaspoons thyme and cayenne. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until potato is tender. Add chicken; heat through., Serve with rice if desired. Sprinkle with remaining thyme.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 275 calories, Fat 7g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 31mg cholesterol, Sodium 636mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

AFRICAN CHICKEN STEW



African Chicken Stew image

This delicious stew is inspired by my friend from Sierra Leone, West Africa, who cooks often for her family. Many ingredients can be modified. This is kind of a 'whatever is handy now' recipe. You can use a whole roasting chicken cut into bite-sized pieces, or just breasts and thighs if you prefer. Other suggested additions are turnips, carrots and celery. This looks great served over white rice with a garnish of fresh chopped cilantro, parsley or unsalted peanuts.

Provided by Leah Shaw

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     African

Time 45m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 (3 pound) roasting chicken, deboned and cut into bite size pieces
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 onion, chopped
1 large potato, diced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander seed
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup water
¾ cup unsalted natural-style peanut butter
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

Steps:

  • In a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid, heat oil over medium high heat. Add chicken, and brown quickly. Remove chicken from pan. Reduce heat to medium low, and add garlic, onion and potato to the pan; saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Season with cumin, coriander, black pepper, red pepper and salt. Do not let garlic brown.
  • Mix in water and browned chicken, and any accumulated juices. Place lid on skillet and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Remove lid, and stir in the peanut butter and garbanzo beans. Make sure the peanut butter is blended in. Replace lid to simmer for 10 more minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and potatoes are tender. Remove from heat, adjust seasoning, and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 615.1 calories, Carbohydrate 31.5 g, Cholesterol 99.6 mg, Fat 36 g, Fiber 6.4 g, Protein 43.7 g, SaturatedFat 7.2 g, Sodium 620.3 mg, Sugar 3.9 g

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make all the difference in your stew. Look for organic, free-range chicken, fresh spinach, and ripe tomatoes.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan: When browning the chicken, make sure to do it in batches so that the pieces don't steam instead of sear.
  • Simmer the stew for at least 30 minutes: This will allow the flavors to meld and develop.
  • Serve the stew over rice or couscous: This will help to soak up all of the delicious sauce.

Conclusion:

This North African chicken and spinach stew is a flavorful and satisfying dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting recipe, give this one a try!

Related Topics