Peanut Butter Braised Chicken with Senegalese Spices
Tender chicken thighs slowly braised in a rich, savory peanut sauce infused with traditional Senegalese spices for a hearty and aromatic meal. This african-inspired chicken ready in about 65 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, creamy peanut butter, large, finely chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 460 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
- 6 pieces, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 large, finely chopped onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp fresh, grated ginger
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 cups water
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Season 6 chicken thighs with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, then brown them in the oil for 4-5 minutes per side until golden; remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large finely chopped onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger. Sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Cook for 2 minutes until the tomato paste darkens and spices bloom.
- Step 4: Lower heat to medium-low and stir in 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter and 2 cups water, whisking until smooth and the sauce thickens slightly, about 3 minutes.
- Step 5: Return the browned chicken thighs to the pot, spooning sauce over them. Cover and simmer gently for 35 minutes, turning the chicken halfway, until tender and cooked through.
- Step 6: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving to add fresh brightness.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Peanut Butter Braised Chicken with Senegalese Spices take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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 Peanut Butter Braised Chicken with Senegalese Spices?
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 creamy peanut butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Peanut Butter Braised Chicken with Senegalese Spices?
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 Peanut Butter Braised Chicken with Senegalese Spices 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 Peanut Butter Braised Chicken with Senegalese Spices?
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.
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