Nigerian Spiced Chicken Stew with Rice

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich, aromatic chicken stew simmered with local spices and vegetables, served over fluffy rice for a comforting Nigerian feast. This nigerian-inspired chicken ready in about 90 minutes pairs chicken thighs, medium, diced onion, large, sliced bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, 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 (9 ratings) Prep: 30 min Cook: 60 min Serves 6 Nigerian cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 3 diced onions and sauté for 5 minutes until golden. Add 2 tbsp crushed pepper and 1 tbsp salt, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 4 chopped tomatoes and 2 sliced bell peppers. Cook for 8 minutes until tomatoes soften. Add 1 tsp thyme and 200 ml coconut milk, simmering for 25 minutes until stew thickens.
  3. Step 3: In a separate pot, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add 1.5 cups rice and 1 tbsp salt. Cook for 15 minutes until rice is tender.
  4. Step 4: Fold 100 g crushed peanuts into the stew. Serve stew over rice, garnished with extra thyme.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Nigerian Spiced Chicken Stew with Rice take to make?

Total time is about 90 minutes (30 min prep + 60 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 Spiced Chicken Stew with Rice?

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 Nigerian Spiced Chicken Stew with Rice?

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 Spiced Chicken Stew with Rice for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Spiced Chicken Stew with Rice?

Nigerian 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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