Best 8 Yassa Chicken Stew Recipes

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Yassa chicken stew is a traditional dish from Senegal, West Africa. It is typically made with chicken, onions, lemon, bay leaves, garlic, black pepper, and mustard. The dish is characterized by its bright and tangy flavor, which comes from the combination of citrus and spices. Yassa chicken stew is a popular dish to serve with rice, and it can also be served with vegetables or couscous. It is a flavorful and satisfying dish that is perfect for any occasion.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CHICKEN YASSA



Chicken Yassa image

This is my riff on yassa, a traditional Senegalese dish of chicken or other meat and onions marinated in a tart mixture of vinegar, citrus, chiles and spices. The flavors are entrancing, and it's a knockout for a dinner party. The chicken and most of the ingredients can marinate overnight, and the marinade becomes the sauce for the finished dish, so most of your prep is done ahead. Here I braise the chicken, making it a one-pot dish and an excellent choice if you want a spectacular dinner without a lot of hassle (or clean-up!).

Provided by JJ Johnson

Categories     main-dish

Time 7h5m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
2 tablespoons Dijon or grain mustard
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
1 Thai bird chile, stemmed, seeded and minced
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon cayenne
Kosher salt
4 large yellow onions, halved and thinly sliced into half-moons
1 bay leaf
2 pounds chicken thighs
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
Cooked white basmati rice, for serving

Steps:

  • Whisk together the vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, mustard, lemon zest, chile, black pepper, cayenne and salt to taste in a large nonreactive bowl or other container. Stir in the onions and bay leaf. Add the chicken to the marinade and toss to coat. Refrigerate, covered, turning the chicken in the marinade if it's not completely covered, at least 6 hours or overnight.
  • Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade; reserve the marinade. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot, add the chicken to the pot and sear until golden brown on both sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
  • Add the allspice to the pot and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Spoon the solids from the marinade into the pot and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the reserved liquid and chicken, making sure to spoon the sauce over the chicken to coat. Add about 1 cup of water to the pot. Cover and cook over medium heat until the chicken is cooked through, about 30 minutes. Discard the bay leaf.
  • Place the chicken on a serving platter. Spoon the onions and sauce from the pan over the chicken. (Simmer the sauce, uncovered, for 5 minutes on medium heat if there is too much liquid; it should be a rich sauce.) Season with salt and pepper and serve with the rice.

POULET YASSA (CHICKEN YASSA) FROM AFRICA



Poulet Yassa (Chicken Yassa) from Africa image

This traditional chicken dish from the Casamance region of Senegal is one of the most famous African recipes and is found in Senegalese restaurants the world over. For best results let the chicken marinate overnight; in Africa, this is essential to tenderize the sometimes tougher African fowl. It is also very good when made with fish. For the simplest yassa, make the marinade from just oil, lemon juice, onions, and a little mustard.

Provided by Ed Gibbon

Categories     Chicken

Time 4h45m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/2 cup peanut oil (or any cooking oil)
1 chicken, cut into serving-sized pieces
4 -6 onions, cut up
8 tablespoons lemon juice
8 tablespoons vinegar (cider vinegar is good)
1 bay leaf
4 cloves minced garlic
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (optional)
1 tablespoon maggi seasoning sauce (or Maggi cubes and water or soy sauce) (optional)
1 chili pepper, cleaned and finely chopped (optional)
cayenne pepper or red pepper
black pepper
salt
1 small cabbage, cut into chunks (optional)
2 carrots, cut into chunks (optional)

Steps:

  • Mix all ingredients (except the optional vegetables), the more onions the better, and allow chicken to marinate in a glass dish in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.
  • Remove chicken from the marinade, but save the marinade.
  • Cook according to one of the following methods.
  • Cooking method 1: Grill chicken over a charcoal fire (or bake it in a hot oven) until chicken is lightly browned but not done.
  • Cooking method 2: Sauté chicken for a few minutes on each side in hot oil in a frypan.
  • While chicken is browning: Remove onions from marinade and sauté them in a large saucepan for a few minutes.
  • Add remaining marinade and the optional vegetables and bring to a slow boil, cooking the marinade into a sauce.
  • Reduce heat.
  • Add chicken to the sauce, cover and simmer until chicken is done.
  • Serve with Rice, Couscous (couscous with chickpeas and raisins is very good), or Fufu.

SHELIA'S CHICKEN YASSA



Shelia's Chicken Yassa image

Yassa is originally from Senegal but is very much a part of the Gambian cuisine experience. It can be prepared with fish or chicken. It is marinated overnight with lots of lemons, spices, pepper, and onions and then traditionally cooked the next day on a charcoal grill. I often say yassa is a lemon-pepper and onion lover's delight.

Provided by CookingWithShelia

Categories     African Recipes

Time 9h40m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 20

⅓ cup lemon juice
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup spicy brown mustard
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 tablespoon lemon-pepper seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
3 pounds skinless chicken leg quarters
2 medium lemons, halved
¼ cup olive oil
3 medium onions, thinly sliced
1 medium red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1 medium green bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1 medium carrot, peeled and sliced diagonally
1 teaspoon minced garlic
⅓ cup lemon juice
½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
½ cup pitted green olives
3 cups cooked white rice

Steps:

  • Stir together lemon juice, oil, mustard, and garlic for marinade in a small bowl. Stir together black pepper, cayenne, lemon-pepper seasoning, and salt in another small bowl. Rub spice mixture all over chicken and transfer to a large zip-top plastic bag. Add lemon juice mixture. Seal the bag and turn to coat. Chill up to 8 hours or overnight.
  • Prepare an outdoor grill for indirect grilling, lighting burners on one side only or pushing lit coals to one side. Heat grill to medium heat, 325 to 375 degrees F (165 to 190 degrees C). Lightly oil the grill grate.
  • Transfer chicken to unlit side of grill, discarding marinade. Grill, turning once, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest parts registers 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), 40 to 50 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, grill lemon halves, cut-sides down, over lit side of the grill until grill marks appear, about 8 minutes.
  • Heat 1/4 cup oil in a 12-inch cast iron skillet on the stovetop over medium-high heat until hot. Stir in onions, bell peppers, carrot, garlic, and lemon juice; cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid evaporates and vegetables are tender and starting to brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Add chicken broth; cook and stir for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in olives.
  • Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Arrange grilled chicken over vegetables in the skillet.
  • Cover and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Serve over cooked rice with grilled lemon halves.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 951.4 calories, Carbohydrate 58.3 g, Cholesterol 214.8 mg, Fat 50.5 g, Fiber 7 g, Protein 69.2 g, SaturatedFat 9.6 g, Sodium 1493.9 mg, Sugar 7.6 g

CHICKEN YASSA



Chicken Yassa image

Popular across West Africa, chicken yassa coaxes deep flavor from a handful of simple ingredients: smoky grilled chicken, sweet caramelized onions, tangy lime, bright ginger and spicy Scotch bonnet chile. This version comes from "The Fonio Cookbook" by chef Pierre Thiam (Lake Isle Press, 2019). Mr. Thiam, who was born and raised in Dakar, is the chef and owner of Teranga, a West African restaurant in Harlem. His recipe calls for bone-in chicken legs, but, in southern Senegal, where the dish originated, you might be served other chicken parts, fish yassa or even lamb yassa. The cooking method is flexible: The chicken develops the best smoky char when grilled, but will still be delicious seared in a grill pan or cast-iron skillet.

Provided by Alexa Weibel

Categories     dinner, poultry, main course

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

4 bone-in, skin-on chicken legs (2 1/2 to 3 pounds)
4 scallions, trimmed, whites and greens finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh thyme, finely chopped (or 2 teaspoons dried)
1 tablespoon white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup lime juice (from 3 or 4 limes), plus more as needed
4 tablespoons peanut, vegetable or canola oil, plus more as needed
Kosher salt and black pepper
2 pounds yellow onions, halved and sliced 1/2-inch thick
1 green bell pepper, halved, seeded and cut into thin matchsticks
1 whole Scotch bonnet chile, poked with a fork (or 1 whole habanero chile, 1 to 2 minced jalapeños, or 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red-pepper flakes)
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
4 teaspoons finely chopped fresh ginger
3 fresh or dried bay leaves
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard (optional)
Cooked rice or fonio, for serving

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the chicken legs with the scallions, thyme, vinegar, 1/4 cup lime juice and 1 tablespoon oil. Marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
  • If using a grill or grill pan, heat it over high; if using a cast-iron skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high. (If cooking indoors, pat the chicken dry, discarding marinade, then brush the chicken lightly with oil.) Season the chicken all over with salt and pepper. Working in batches if necessary, grill or sear the chicken until browned on both sides, 6 or 7 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
  • Meanwhile, in a large pot, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons oil over medium-high. When the oil is hot, add the onions in an even layer, season with salt and pepper, and let sear without stirring for 3 to 4 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, stir occasionally to prevent onions from burning at the bottom of the pot, and allow onions to cook until they start to caramelize and take on some color, 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Add the bell pepper, chile, garlic, ginger, bay leaves and the mustard (if using), and continue stirring, adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of water as needed to avoid scorching at the bottom of the pot, another 5 minutes. Stir in another 1/4 cup lime juice, and season with 1 tablespoon salt and 2 teaspoons pepper.
  • Add the grilled chicken into the pot, tucking it under the onions, then top with 1 cup water. Stir well, smooth mixture gently into an even layer, cover and simmer over medium until chicken is cooked through and tender, about 30 minutes.
  • Season to taste and add more lime juice to taste, if desired. Serve chicken over rice, with onion mixture and sauce drizzled generously on top.

EASY CHICKEN YASSA



Easy Chicken Yassa image

This is a quick, easy, and healthy variation on the classic Senegalese dish Chicken Yassa. Chicken quarters are roasted in the oven while a simple pan sauce of caramelized onions, mustard, and lemon juice ties everything together.

Provided by Nancy Odogwu

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h22m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 16

4 chicken quarters (thighs and legs attached)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon garlic granules or garlic powder
2 teaspoons ground black pepper, divided
2 teaspoons of dried parsley, divided
4 large onions, thinly sliced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 lemon, juiced
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
2 bay leaves
1/4 cup green olives
To serve
Cooked white rice

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F

CHICKEN AND SUMMER VEGETABLE STEW WITH COUSCOUS



Chicken and Summer Vegetable Stew with Couscous image

This recipe is sponsored by Do Good Chicken. Inspired by Moroccan tagine, this fragrant stew combines quick-cooking boneless chicken thighs and chickpeas with summer vegetables, such as zucchini, rainbow carrots and colorful cherry tomatoes. It's served over fluffy, buttery couscous and finished with a refreshing herb and nut topping. A little fire from harissa plus a dollop of cooling yogurt packs this dish with bright flavor.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 45m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 24

3 cloves garlic, smashed
2 large rainbow carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
1 medium yellow onion, cut into 6 wedges, root end kept intact
1 cinnamon stick, snapped in half
1/3 cup golden raisins
1 tablespoon chopped peeled fresh ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, such as Do Good Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
One 15 1/2-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
12 ounces assorted color cherry tomatoes
1 large zucchini, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1-inch chunks
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 cups couscous
1/2 cup cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
1/2 cup parsley leaves, roughly chopped
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup salted shelled pistachios, crushed
1/4 cup golden raisins
Harissa and plain yogurt, for serving

Steps:

  • For the chicken stew: Put the garlic, carrots, onion, cinnamon, raisins, ginger, cumin, paprika, sugar, turmeric, 1 tablespoon salt and several grinds of black pepper in a large saucepan or Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid. Add 2 cups water and bring to a boil over high heat; cover, reduce the heat and simmer until the carrots start to get tender, about 15 minutes. Add the chicken, chickpeas, tomatoes and zucchini and stir to combine. Return to a boil over high heat, cover, reduce the heat and simmer until the stew is slightly thickened and fragrant and the vegetables are tender enough to cut with the side of a fork, but still hold their shapes, about 15 minutes. (If the vegetables are fork-tender a bit sooner, remove them to a bowl while the liquid reduces then return them to the pot when ready to serve.) Remove and discard the cinnamon sticks.
  • For the couscous: Bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil with the butter and salt in a small saucepan. Stir in the couscous, remove from the heat, cover and set aside until the water has been absorbed and the couscous is plump, about 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and keep warm.
  • For the topping: Combine the cilantro, parsley, almonds, pistachios and raisins in a medium bowl.
  • To serve, divide the couscous among bowls, top with the stew and sprinkle with the herb topping. Serve with harissa and yogurt on the side.

WEST AFRICAN CHICKEN YASSA



West African Chicken Yassa image

This Senegalese dish was cooked by Ashbell McElveen on the UK tv cooking show Good Food Live. Cooking time includes the marinating time.

Provided by Sarah_Jayne

Categories     Chicken Breast

Time 1h25m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 chicken breasts, skin on
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 fresh chili pepper, mild, chopped
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 large vidalia onions
1/2 teaspoon thyme, chopped
3 lemons
12 1/2 fluid ounces chicken stock
salt & freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Place the chicken in a bowl and squeeze in the juice of 1½ lemons.
  • Add the garlic and chilli.
  • Mix to coat the chicken well and leave to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
  • Preheat a hot barbecue, grill, griddle or dry frying pan.
  • Remove the chicken from the marinade and brush it with oil.
  • Place the chicken, skin-side towards the heat, on the barbecue, under the grill, on the griddle or in the pan, and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, until well colored and cooked through, but be careful not to let it dry out.
  • While the chicken cooks, cut the onions into medium-thin slices.
  • Heat a few drops of oil in a deep frying pan and fry the onions with the thyme for about 5-8 minutes until nice and brown, allowing their sweetness to come out.
  • Remove the onions from the pan and set aside on a warm plate.
  • Pour the juice of 1 lemon and the chicken stock into the pan, bring to the boil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Allow it to reduce slightly, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan to get up all the taste.
  • Arrange the chicken on a plate, top with the onions and pour the lemon sauce over it.
  • Garnish with the remaining lemon half and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 392.7, Fat 21.6, SaturatedFat 5.1, Cholesterol 95.6, Sodium 230.5, Carbohydrate 15.9, Fiber 2.7, Sugar 6.4, Protein 34.2

YASSA AU POULET II (CHICKEN YASSA)



Yassa au Poulet II (Chicken Yassa) image

Provided by Jessica B. Harris

Categories     Chicken     Olive     Onion     Poultry     Marinate     Dinner     Hot Pepper     Winter     Dairy Free     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Serves 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
4 large onions, thinly sliced
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/8 teaspoon minced fresh habanero chile, or to taste
5 tablespoons peanut oil
1 frying chicken (2 1/2 to 3 1/2 pounds), cut into serving pieces
1 habanero chile, pricked with a fork
1/2 cup pimento-stuffed olives
4 carrots, scraped and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
1/2 cup water

Steps:

  • In a large nonreactive bowl, prepare a marinade by mixing the lemon juice, onions, salt, pepper, minced chile, and 4 tablespoons of the peanut oil in a large bowl. Place the chicken pieces in the marinade, making sure that they are all well covered. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow the chicken to marinate for at least 3 hours in the refrigerator.
  • Preheat the broiler. Remove the chicken pieces, reserving the marinade and onions, and place the chicken in a shallow pan. Broil the the chicken until it is lightly browned on both sides. Remove the onions from the marinade. Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a flameproof 5-quart casserole or Dutch oven and cook the onions slowly until tender and translucent. Add the reserved marinade. When the liquid is thoroughly heated, add the chicken pieces, pricked chile, olives, carrots, mustard, and water. When the dish has reached the desired degree of hotness, remove the chile and reserve (it can be served separately to the chile heads). Stir to mix well, then bring the yassa slowly to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for about 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. Serve hot over white rice.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality chicken: Since chicken is the star of the dish, ensure it's fresh and of good quality. Opt for free-range or organic chicken for better flavor and texture.
  • Marinate the chicken: Marinating the chicken in a flavorful mixture of spices and seasonings enhances its taste. Don't skip this step for maximum flavor penetration.
  • Brown the chicken: Before stewing, brown the chicken pieces in a pan or skillet to create a golden sear. This adds depth of flavor and prevents the chicken from becoming bland.
  • Use ripe vegetables: Fresh and ripe vegetables contribute vibrant colors and flavors to the stew. Choose vegetables at their peak for the best results.
  • Add aromatics: Aromatic ingredients like onions, garlic, and ginger form the flavor base of the stew. Sauté them until fragrant to release their flavors.
  • Use a flavorful broth: The broth forms the liquid base of the stew, so make sure it's packed with flavor. Use a combination of chicken broth, vegetable broth, or water and add herbs and spices for extra depth.
  • Simmer gently: Allow the stew to simmer gently over low heat for an extended period. This helps the flavors meld together and the chicken to become tender and fall-off-the-bone.
  • Adjust seasonings: Taste the stew as it cooks and adjust the seasonings as needed. Balance the flavors of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy for a harmonious taste.
  • Serve with accompaniments: Yassa chicken stew is traditionally served with rice, but you can also pair it with couscous, quinoa, or your favorite grain. Accompany the stew with a side of fresh vegetables or a crisp salad.

Conclusion:

Yassa chicken stew is a versatile and flavorful dish with a unique blend of spices and vegetables. It's a hearty and comforting meal perfect for any occasion. With careful preparation and attention to detail, you can easily create a delicious and authentic Yassa chicken stew in your own kitchen. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting, this recipe is sure to impress your taste buds and leave you craving more. So, gather your ingredients, fire up the stove, and embark on a culinary journey to West Africa through the vibrant flavors of Yassa chicken stew.

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