Smoky Peanut Chicken Stew with Leafy Greens
A rich stew simmering tender chicken in a smoky peanut sauce, finished with fresh spinach for a nutrient-packed meal. This ethiopian-inspired one pot ready in about 50 minutes pairs chicken thighs, peanut butter, medium, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 1 lb chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp coconut oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chicken thighs and brown for 5 minutes per side until golden, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add remaining 1 tbsp coconut oil, diced onion, and minced garlic. Sauté for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in tomato paste, ground cumin, and smoked paprika, cooking for 1 minute until paste darkens slightly.
- Step 4: Add peanut butter and stir until smooth, then pour in chicken broth. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 5: Return chicken to pot, add salt and black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
- Step 6: Stir in fresh spinach and cook for 2 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 Smoky Peanut Chicken Stew with Leafy Greens take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Smoky Peanut Chicken Stew with Leafy Greens?
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 Smoky Peanut Chicken Stew with Leafy Greens?
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 Smoky Peanut Chicken Stew with Leafy Greens 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 Smoky Peanut Chicken Stew with Leafy Greens?
Ethiopian one pot 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
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
