Nigerian Jollof-Inspired Spiced Chicken Stew

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

A richly spiced chicken stew inspired by the flavors of Nigerian jollof, featuring aromatic tomatoes and peppers. This African-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on, vegetable oil, red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 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: 40 min Serves 4 African cuisine 360 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 4 chicken thighs and brown on all sides, about 4 minutes per side, until golden. Remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon grated ginger, and 1 small finely chopped scotch bonnet pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and onions soften.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 large chopped red bell pepper, 3 tablespoons tomato paste, and 3 blended fresh tomatoes. Cook for 7-8 minutes until the sauce thickens and deepens in color.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 bay leaf, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Return the browned chicken thighs to the pot.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 1 cup chicken broth, cover the pot, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
  6. Step 6: Remove the bay leaf, sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro over the stew, and stir gently before serving with rice or bread.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Nigerian Jollof-Inspired Spiced Chicken Stew take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 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 Nigerian Jollof-Inspired Spiced 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 vegetable oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Nigerian Jollof-Inspired Spiced 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 Nigerian Jollof-Inspired Spiced 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 Nigerian Jollof-Inspired Spiced Chicken Stew?

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