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Hot and Spicy Ethiopian Chicken Stew ππΆοΈ
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours
Servings: 12
Description:
This Hot and Spicy Ethiopian Chicken Stew is a vibrant, flavorsome dish perfect for feeding a crowd. With its rich blend of spices and tender chicken, it’s a hearty meal that promises to delight your taste buds. This recipe offers a tantalizing glimpse into Ethiopian cuisine, showcasing the bold flavors and aromatic ingredients that define it. While traditionally served with injera, a sourdough flatbread, you can also enjoy it with rice or crusty bread to soak up every last bit of the delicious sauce.

Ingredients:
- 12 chicken pieces
- 8 onions
- 1 head of garlic
- 1 piece of ginger
- 1/4 cup chili powder (bere)
- 1 cup butter
- 1 – 1 1/2 cups hot water (as needed)
- 12 hard-boiled eggs
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
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Prepare the Onion Base:
- Begin by cooking the onions over low heat in a dry pan, stirring constantly until all the water evaporates.
- Continue cooking until the onions are slightly browned, then add the butter.
- Cook for an additional 15-20 minutes over low heat, adding 1 tablespoon of hot water at a time to prevent sticking. The mixture should become somewhat pasty in texture.
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Infuse with Spice:
- Stir in the chili powder (bere), ensuring it’s well incorporated into the onion mixture. If it appears too dry, add more hot water as needed.
- Cook the spiced onion mixture for 30-45 minutes, stirring frequently and adding hot water as necessary to maintain a smooth consistency. Avoid browning the mixture, as it can cause the chili powder to become bitter.
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Add Aromatic Flavors:
- Once the onion mixture is fragrant and well-cooked, add minced garlic and grated ginger. Allow the flavors to meld together by simmering for an additional 15 minutes, adding water as needed to prevent sticking.
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Prepare the Chicken:
- While the sauce is simmering, wash the chicken pieces thoroughly and soak them in salted lemon water. This helps to remove any impurities and tenderizes the meat.
- After soaking, squeeze each chicken piece to remove excess moisture, then make small slits in the meat to allow the sauce to penetrate.
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Combine and Simmer:
- Add the prepared chicken pieces to the simmering sauce, ensuring they are coated evenly. Cook until the chicken is tender, approximately 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste just before removing from the stove, adjusting the seasoning according to your preference.
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Serve and Enjoy:
- Garnish the stew with hard-boiled egg wedges, adding one egg per serving for an extra touch of flavor and protein.
- Serve the Hot and Spicy Ethiopian Chicken Stew hot, accompanied by plenty of injera or your favorite bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 597.7
- Fat: 38.7g
- Saturated Fat: 21.7g
- Cholesterol: 293.3mg
- Sodium: 403.5mg
- Carbohydrates: 56.1g
- Fiber: 9.8g
- Sugar: 15g
- Protein: 13.9g
Notes:
- Feel free to adjust the level of spiciness by increasing or decreasing the amount of chili powder according to your preference.
- This stew can be made ahead of time and reheated gently before serving, allowing the flavors to develop even further.
- Experiment with different cuts of chicken or even other meats to suit your taste preferences. The robust flavors of the sauce complement a variety of proteins.