Berbere-Spiced Chicken Tibs with Injera Crepes
Sautéed chicken cubes infused with Ethiopian berbere spice blend served alongside traditional injera crepes for a flavorful East African meal. This ethiopian-inspired chicken ready in about 1470 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, berbere spice mix, large, thinly sliced red onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp berbere spice mix
- 3 tbsp niter kibbeh (Ethiopian spiced clarified butter)
- 1 large, thinly sliced red onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 inch, minced ginger root
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups injera flour or teff flour
- 2 1/2 cups water (for injera batter)
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups injera flour (or teff flour) and 2 1/2 cups water. Whisk until smooth, cover, and let ferment at room temperature for 24-48 hours until slightly bubbly and sour.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp niter kibbeh in a large skillet over medium heat until melted and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add 1 large thinly sliced red onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 inch minced ginger root; sauté for 5 minutes until softened and aromatic.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces and 2 tbsp berbere spice mix to the skillet. Stir to coat the chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes until chicken is browned on all sides.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and 1/4 cup water, season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens.
- Step 5: To make injera crepes, preheat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Pour about 1/3 cup of the fermented injera batter into the skillet, swirling to cover the surface thinly. Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes until holes form and the edges lift. Do not flip. Remove and keep warm.
- Step 6: Serve the spicy chicken tibs hot with freshly made injera crepes for dipping.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Berbere-Spiced Chicken Tibs with Injera Crepes take to make?
Total time is about 1470 minutes (1440 min prep + 30 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 Tibs with Injera Crepes?
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 berbere spice mix from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Berbere-Spiced Chicken Tibs with Injera Crepes?
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 Tibs with Injera Crepes 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 Tibs with Injera Crepes?
Ethiopian 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.
