Braised Ethiopian Spiced Chicken with Berbere and Tomato

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken pieces braised in a spicy berbere and tomato sauce, a flavorful staple in Ethiopian cuisine. This african-inspired chicken ready in about 65 minutes pairs berbere spice mix, medium yellow onion, thinly sliced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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: 50 min Serves 4 African cuisine 410 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 6 chicken thighs and rub them evenly with 2 tbsp berbere spice mix.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5-6 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook for another 4 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add 2 medium thinly sliced yellow onions and sauté for 8 minutes until soft and caramelized.
  4. Step 4: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated ginger; cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and 1 cup diced canned tomatoes, cooking for 3 minutes until the sauce thickens and deepens in color.
  6. Step 6: Return chicken to the skillet, add 1 cup water, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, and bring to a simmer.
  7. Step 7: Cover and reduce heat to low, braising for 30 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Braised Ethiopian Spiced Chicken with Berbere and Tomato take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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 Ethiopian Spiced Chicken with Berbere and Tomato?

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 Braised Ethiopian Spiced Chicken with Berbere and Tomato?

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 Ethiopian Spiced Chicken with Berbere and Tomato 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 Ethiopian Spiced Chicken with Berbere and Tomato?

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.

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