Smoky Chicken and Okra Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-12 · Updated 2026-04-12

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A deeply flavorful stew featuring tender chicken simmered with fresh okra and aromatic spices, ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner. This Ghanaian-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 65 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, vegetable oil, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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: 45 min Serves 4 Ghanaian cuisine 220 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1.5 pounds chicken thighs
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large onion
3 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon fresh ginger
2 scotch bonnet peppers
2 cups diced tomatoes
1 cup okra
1 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon thyme
1 bay leaf
to taste salt
to taste black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and cook for 5 minutes per side until golden brown, then remove and set aside.
Step 2: Add 1 large chopped onion to the pot and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Add 2 chopped scotch bonnet peppers and 2 cups diced tomatoes, stirring for 2 minutes until tomatoes break down.
Step 4: Return the chicken to the pot, add 1 cup chicken broth, 1 teaspoon thyme, 1 bay leaf, and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 25 minutes.
Step 5: Add 1 cup sliced okra and continue simmering uncovered for 10 minutes until okra is tender and the stew has thickened slightly.