Braised Doro Wat Spicy Chicken Stew

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty Ethiopian chicken stew simmered in a fragrant berbere and onion sauce, packed with bold layers of flavor. This african-inspired curry ready in about 75 minutes pairs bone-in chicken drumsticks, berbere spice blend, large, finely chopped yellow onions for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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: 20 min Cook: 55 min Serves 4 African cuisine 450 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium heat. Add 3 large finely chopped yellow onions and cook for 15 minutes, stirring frequently until deeply caramelized and brown.
  2. Step 2: Add 5 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp grated fresh ginger, cooking for 3 minutes until aromatic.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp berbere spice blend and 3 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 5 minutes to develop a thick, fragrant base.
  4. Step 4: Add 8 bone-in chicken drumsticks to the pot, turning to coat thoroughly with the sauce. Sauté for 6 minutes until chicken skin is slightly browned.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 2 cups water, add 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper, then bring to a simmer. Cover and reduce heat to low, cooking gently for 40 minutes until chicken is tender.
  6. Step 6: Add 4 peeled hard boiled eggs to the stew during the last 10 minutes of cooking to absorb flavors.
  7. Step 7: Remove from heat and let stew rest for 5 minutes before serving with injera or flatbread.

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 Braised Doro Wat Spicy Chicken Stew take to make?

Total time is about 75 minutes (20 min prep + 55 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 Braised Doro Wat Spicy Chicken Stew?

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 bone-in chicken drumsticks from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Doro Wat Spicy Chicken Stew?

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 Braised Doro Wat Spicy Chicken Stew 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 Braised Doro Wat Spicy Chicken Stew?

African curry 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