Berbere-Spiced Chicken Tibs with Sautéed Onions and Peppers

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender cubes of chicken sautéed with vibrant berbere spice, caramelized onions, and peppers for a classic Ethiopian-inspired dish. This african-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs berbere spice blend, large, sliced into rings yellow onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 African cuisine 350 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 skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 large sliced yellow onion and sauté for 5-6 minutes until edges are caramelized and soft.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp minced ginger to the onions, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 lb cubed boneless chicken thighs, tossing to coat with onion mixture. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until chicken begins to brown.
  4. Step 4: Sprinkle 2 tbsp berbere spice blend, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper over the chicken. Stir well to evenly coat and cook for another 8-10 minutes, turning chicken pieces until fully cooked and spicy aroma fills the kitchen.
  5. Step 5: Add 1 large sliced red bell pepper to the skillet, cooking for 3-4 minutes until peppers are tender but still slightly crisp.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot with injera or rice.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Berbere-Spiced Chicken Tibs with Sautéed Onions and Peppers take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Sautéed Onions and Peppers?

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 blend from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Berbere-Spiced Chicken Tibs with Sautéed Onions and Peppers?

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 Sautéed Onions and Peppers 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 Sautéed Onions and Peppers?

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