Simmered Chicken Tibs with Garlic, Rosemary, and Berbere

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken morsels simmered in a fragrant garlic and rosemary sauce with a gentle kick of berbere spice, perfect for a quick and flavorful dinner. This african-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs olive oil, garlic cloves, sliced thin, fresh rosemary sprigs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 African cuisine 350 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Order on Instacart →

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 medium sliced white onion and 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves, sautéing for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 1/2 tbsp berbere spice mix and 2 fresh rosemary sprigs, cooking for 1 minute to toast the spices.
  4. Step 4: Add 1.5 lbs cut chicken thighs, stirring to coat with the aromatic mixture, and cook for 6 minutes until chicken browns on all sides.
  5. Step 5: Mix in 1 medium chopped tomato, 1/2 cup water, and 1 tsp salt. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and sauce reduces slightly.
  6. Step 6: Remove rosemary sprigs and adjust seasoning if needed.
  7. Step 7: Serve hot with fresh lemon wedges to squeeze over the dish for brightness.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Simmered Chicken Tibs with Garlic, Rosemary, and Berbere take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 Simmered Chicken Tibs with Garlic, Rosemary, and Berbere?

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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Simmered Chicken Tibs with Garlic, Rosemary, and Berbere?

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 Simmered Chicken Tibs with Garlic, Rosemary, and Berbere 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 Simmered Chicken Tibs with Garlic, Rosemary, and Berbere?

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

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →