Berbere-Spiced Chicken Stew with Soft Injera Flatbread

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty Ethiopian chicken stew richly flavored with berbere spice, served alongside tender, tangy injera flatbread perfect for scooping. This african-inspired chicken ready in about 55 minutes pairs boneless chicken thighs, berbere spice blend, large, finely chopped red onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 African cuisine 420 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large finely chopped red onion and sauté for 5-6 minutes until soft and translucent. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 2 tbsp berbere spice blend and 2 tbsp tomato paste to the pot, stirring for 1-2 minutes to release the spices' aroma.
  3. Step 3: Cut 1 lb boneless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and add to the pot, stirring to coat in the spice mixture. Cook for 5 minutes until chicken starts to brown.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 2 cups water and 1 tsp salt, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 30 minutes until the chicken is tender and stew thickens.
  5. Step 5: Meanwhile, prepare injera batter by combining 1 cup teff flour, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp active dry yeast, and 1/2 tsp sugar in a bowl. Gradually whisk in 1 1/4 cups warm water until smooth. Cover and let ferment at room temperature for 24-48 hours until bubbly and slightly sour.
  6. Step 6: Once stew is ready, heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Pour 1/4 cup of injera batter into the pan, swirling to cover the surface thinly. Cook for 2-3 minutes until holes form on top and edges lift, then remove injera (do not flip). Repeat with remaining batter.
  7. Step 7: Serve the spicy berbere chicken stew hot, accompanied by warm injera flatbread for dipping and scooping.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Berbere-Spiced Chicken Stew with Soft Injera Flatbread take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Berbere-Spiced Chicken Stew with Soft Injera Flatbread?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep boneless chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Berbere-Spiced Chicken Stew with Soft Injera Flatbread?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Berbere-Spiced Chicken Stew with Soft Injera Flatbread for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Berbere-Spiced Chicken Stew with Soft Injera Flatbread?

African chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes