Nigerian Palm Nut Soup with Chicken
A rich, nutty soup featuring tender chicken simmered in a creamy palm nut base, served with fufu for a traditional West African feast. This west african-inspired soups ready in about 45 minutes pairs tablespoons palm nut paste, grams chicken thighs, medium, finely chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 2 tablespoons palm nut paste
- 300 grams chicken thighs
- 1 medium, finely chopped onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 medium, blended into puree tomatoes
- 50 grams, chopped fresh spinach
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 400 milliliters stock
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a heavy pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 2 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 tablespoons palm nut paste, cooking for 30 seconds until it begins to darken slightly, then add 2 medium blended tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes until the mixture thickens and the oil separates.
- Step 3: Add 300 grams chicken thighs, 400 milliliters stock, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes until chicken is tender.
- Step 4: Stir in 50 grams chopped spinach and cook for 2 more minutes until wilted. Adjust seasoning if needed.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Nigerian Palm Nut Soup with Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 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 Palm Nut Soup with Chicken?
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 tablespoons palm nut paste from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Nigerian Palm Nut Soup with Chicken?
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 Palm Nut Soup with Chicken 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 Palm Nut Soup with Chicken?
West African 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
- ★★★★★
Added this to my weekly meal rotation. So satisfying.
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
