Spiced Berbere Braised Chicken with Injera Flatbread

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken simmered in a fiery berbere spice sauce, served alongside traditional Ethiopian injera flatbread for an authentic cultural experience. This african-inspired chicken ready in about 55 minutes pairs berbere spice mix, garlic cloves, minced, ginger, grated for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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: 15 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 African cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add 1 large finely chopped red onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 3 tbsp berbere spice mix and 2 tbsp tomato paste, stirring for 2 minutes to toast the spices and develop flavor.
  4. Step 4: Increase heat to medium-high, add 1.5 pounds chicken thighs (skin-on, bone-in), and brown each side for 3-4 minutes until golden.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 1 cup water, season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer gently for 30 minutes, turning the chicken halfway, until tender and sauce thickens.
  6. Step 6: Serve the braised chicken hot with 4 pieces of injera flatbread, using the bread to scoop up the succulent sauce and chicken.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Berbere Braised Chicken with Injera Flatbread take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Spiced Berbere Braised Chicken with Injera Flatbread?

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 berbere spice mix from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Berbere Braised Chicken with Injera Flatbread?

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 Spiced Berbere Braised Chicken with Injera Flatbread 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 Spiced Berbere Braised Chicken with Injera Flatbread?

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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