Name: Nigerian Chicken Stew Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: Nigerian
Ingredients: 2.5 lbs bone-in chicken (thighs or drumsticks), cleaned; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 teaspoon curry powder; 1 teaspoon thyme; 1 onion, chopped; 1/4 cup vegetable oil; 4 large Roma tomatoes; 1 large red bell pepper; 1 small red onion; 2 scotch bonnet peppers (or 1 for less heat); 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon ginger powder; 1 bouillon cube; Salt to taste

Oh, if you haven’t tried this Nigerian Chicken Stew Recipe yet, you’re in for such a treat! It’s one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug after a long day—rich, flavorful, and just the right balance of spice and sweetness. What makes this stew special is the perfect harmony between tender chicken and that deeply roasted tomato-pepper sauce. Trust me, once you’ve made this, you’ll want it on repeat for weeknight dinners and even for impressing friends on casual gatherings.

I remember the first time I made this stew—it filled the whole kitchen with this amazing aroma that had everyone asking “What’s cooking?” It’s so versatile, too, great over rice, with bread, or even as a base for other meals. If you love bold flavors and comforting food, this Nigerian Chicken Stew Recipe is definitely worth adding to your meal rotation.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Nigerian Chicken Stew Recipe plays a key role in building layers of flavor—from the spices that season the chicken to the fresh peppers that give the sauce a vibrant kick. When shopping, opt for fresh, ripe tomatoes and quality spices to really bring out the best in this dish.

Bone-in chicken (thighs or drumsticks): I love using bone-in pieces because they stay juicy and add more flavor to the stew.
Salt: Essential for seasoning the chicken and balancing flavors.
Black pepper: Adds a mild heat that complements the other spices.
Paprika: Gives a subtle smokiness and beautiful color to the chicken.
Curry powder: This adds an earthy depth and warmth that’s signature to many Nigerian stews.
Thyme: A classic herb that brightens the stew with its aroma.
Onion: Chopped onion helps to tenderize the chicken and build the stew’s base.
Vegetable oil: Needed for frying the chicken and blending those rich flavors.
Roma tomatoes: Their firmness and sweetness make for a robust sauce—perfect for stewing.
Red bell pepper: Adds a slight sweetness and depth to the sauce.
Red onion: Gives added flavor complexity and a little bite to the sauce.
Scotch bonnet peppers: These bring the heat! Adjust the quantity based on how spicy you like it.
Tomato paste: Intensifies the tomato flavor, making the sauce richer and thicker.
Garlic powder: For a subtle, garlicky background flavor without overpowering.
Ginger powder: It adds a gentle warmth that pairs so nicely with the other spices.
Bouillon cube: A small flavor booster that adds umami and depth to the sauce.
Salt to taste: Always adjust at the end to make sure the stew is perfectly seasoned.

Variations

While this Nigerian Chicken Stew Recipe is fantastic as is, I often like to tweak it depending on what I have on hand or who I’m cooking for. Don’t hesitate to make it your own and find what feels right in your kitchen.

Adding vegetables: I’ve added diced carrots or green beans before to sneak in some extra nutrients without compromising the stew’s signature taste.
Using boneless chicken: If you’re short on time, boneless chicken pieces work well, but watch closely so they don’t dry out.
Adjusting spice levels: Sometimes I swap out scotch bonnet peppers for habaneros or reduce the amount for a milder stew — perfect for kids or guests who prefer less heat.
Tomato-only sauce: For a different twist, you can skip the bell pepper and add extra tomatoes, for a sweeter, less spicy stew.

How to Make Nigerian Chicken Stew Recipe

Step 1: Season and Brown the Chicken

Start by cleaning your chicken pieces and patting them dry. Then, season with salt, black pepper, paprika, curry powder, and thyme— I like to massage the spices into the chicken so each piece is well-coated. Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat, and brown the chicken on all sides until it’s golden. This step builds flavor and locks in moisture, so don’t rush it. Once browned, remove the chicken and set it aside.

Step 2: Prepare and Blend the Tomato-Pepper Sauce

While the chicken is resting, roughly chop the Roma tomatoes, red bell pepper, red onion, and scotch bonnet peppers. Toss them into a blender and pulse until smooth but not watery. This fresh blend is the soul of your Nigerian Chicken Stew Recipe, so take a minute to appreciate that beautiful color.

Step 3: Cook the Sauce

Pour a little more vegetable oil into your pan and sauté some chopped onion first if you want an extra flavor boost. Then add the blended tomato-pepper mixture, tomato paste, garlic powder, ginger powder, and the bouillon cube. Cook this over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and the oil begins to separate from the tomato mix—this usually takes about 15-20 minutes. This is your signal that the sauce is perfectly cooked and ready for the chicken to join back in.

Step 4: Combine Chicken and Sauce to Simmer

Place the browned chicken pieces back into the sauce, making sure they’re well-coated. Cover and let everything simmer gently on low heat for about 30-45 minutes. This slow cooking melds the flavors beautifully and ensures the chicken is tender all the way through. Don’t forget to check occasionally and stir to prevent sticking, and add a splash of water if it gets too thick.

How to Serve Nigerian Chicken Stew Recipe

The image shows a black pan filled with a bright red sauce that has a slightly oily texture, surrounding three pieces of golden-brown seasoned chicken with grill marks on top; to the left of the chicken, there is a mound of white rice, neatly shaped and compact. The pan rests on a white plate, all placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to top my Nigerian Chicken Stew with freshly chopped cilantro or parsley because it adds a fresh, bright note to the rich stew. Sometimes, I also sprinkle some sliced green onions for extra color and crunch. These simple garnishes make the stew look as good as it tastes.

Side Dishes

This stew pairs wonderfully with plain white rice or jollof rice for a more festive meal. I’ve also enjoyed it with soft, warm bread like agege bread to soak up every bit of the delicious sauce. For a low-carb option, mashed yam or plantains are fantastic companions and keep things authentically Nigerian.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite presentation ideas for special occasions is serving the chicken stew in a shallow wide bowl surrounded by neatly shaped mounds of rice or fufu. You could also garnish with thin slices of fried plantains or colorful vegetable salad on the side to add contrast and texture. It definitely makes the meal feel more festive and inviting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After a meal, I usually transfer any leftover Nigerian Chicken Stew into airtight containers and keep it in the fridge. It stays fresh for up to 3 days, and the flavors actually deepen, making the next day’s lunch something I look forward to even more.

Freezing

If I’m planning ahead, I portion the stew into freezer-safe bags or containers and freeze it for up to 3 months. When frozen properly, the texture and flavor remain surprisingly good. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers gently on the stove over low to medium heat, stirring often to avoid burning. Sometimes I add a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen the sauce as it warms. Avoid microwaving if possible to keep the chicken tender and sauce vibrant.

FAQs

Can I use boneless chicken for Nigerian Chicken Stew Recipe?

Absolutely! You can use boneless chicken breasts or thighs if you prefer. Just be mindful because boneless chicken cooks faster and can dry out if overcooked. Keep the simmering time a bit shorter and check frequently for tenderness.
How spicy is the Nigerian Chicken Stew Recipe?

The stew can be quite spicy because of the scotch bonnet peppers, but you can easily adjust the heat by using fewer peppers or substituting with milder varieties like jalapeños or bell peppers. The key is finding the spice level that’s perfect for you.
Can I make this stew in a slow cooker?

Yes, slow cooking is a great way to develop flavors further. You can brown the chicken first, then add all ingredients into a slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Just be careful to monitor seasoning and adjust salt at the end.
What can I serve with Nigerian Chicken Stew Recipe?

This stew pairs beautifully with steamed white rice, jollof rice, plantains, or even soft bread to soak up the sauce. It’s versatile enough to match well with whatever base you love.
Is the tomato-pepper sauce cooked before adding the chicken?

Yes, cooking the sauce until the oil separates from the tomato mixture helps deepen the flavors and thicken the sauce. This step is crucial to avoid a raw tomato taste and ensures the stew has that rich, comforting character.

Final Thoughts

This Nigerian Chicken Stew Recipe is truly a kitchen favorite—whether I’m cooking a cozy family dinner or bringing a bit of Nigerian flair to a potluck. The layers of aromatic spices, the tender chicken, and that beautiful, rich sauce make it something I always come back to. I encourage you to give it a try step by step, tuning the spice and sides to your liking. Once you do, I bet this stew will become one of your go-to recipes, just like it did for me.