Ethiopian Chicken Stew with Spiced Berbere

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich, aromatic chicken stew simmered in a vibrant berbere spice blend, served over soft injera for a true Ethiopian dining experience. This ethiopian-inspired soups ready in about 65 minutes pairs chicken thighs, medium onions, 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.

★ 4.3 (8 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 45 min Serves 4 Ethiopian cuisine 350 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 3 finely chopped onions and sauté for 8 minutes until golden and translucent.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated ginger. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, then stir in 2 tbsp berbere spice and 1 tsp turmeric. Cook for 2 minutes until the spices deepen in color.
  3. Step 3: Add 1.5 lbs chicken thighs, skin-side up. Cook for 5 minutes until browned, then add 4 chopped tomatoes and 1 tsp salt. Stir to coat.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 4 cups water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Simmer for 35 minutes until chicken is tender and tomatoes break down.
  5. Step 5: Serve hot with warm injera on the side.

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 Ethiopian Chicken Stew with Spiced Berbere take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (20 min prep + 45 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 Ethiopian Chicken Stew with Spiced Berbere?

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 chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Ethiopian Chicken Stew with Spiced Berbere?

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 Ethiopian Chicken Stew with Spiced Berbere 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 Ethiopian Chicken Stew with Spiced Berbere?

Ethiopian soups 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes