Groundnut Soup with Chicken and Spinach
A traditional Cameroonian soup featuring chicken, roasted peanuts, and fresh spinach. This ethiopian-inspired soups ready in about 55 minutes pairs cubed chicken breasts, roasted peanuts, large, chopped onion 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, cubed chicken breasts
- 1 cup roasted peanuts
- 1 large, chopped onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 14 oz canned tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 4 oz, packed fresh spinach
- 1 tbsp palm oil
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat palm oil in a pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sautéing for 3 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, then add cubed chicken, cooking for 5 minutes until browned on all sides.
- Step 3: Add canned tomatoes, chicken broth, thyme, and 1 tsp salt. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes until chicken is tender.
- Step 4: Blend roasted peanuts with 1/2 cup cooking liquid until smooth, then stir into the pot. Simmer for 5 minutes, then stir in fresh spinach until wilted and fully incorporated.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Groundnut Soup with Chicken and Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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 Groundnut Soup with Chicken and Spinach?
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 cubed chicken breasts from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Groundnut Soup with Chicken and Spinach?
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 Groundnut Soup with Chicken and Spinach 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 Groundnut Soup with Chicken and Spinach?
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
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
