Ah yes 🍗🥜 — Chicken Mafé (also called Chicken Peanut Stew) is a rich and comforting West African dish, especially popular in Senegal and Mali. It features tender chicken simmered in a savory peanut sauce with tomatoes, onions, and spices — hearty, slightly sweet, and deeply flavorful.
Here’s a detailed recipe:
🍗 Chicken Mafé (West African Peanut Stew)
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
Protein & Veggies
- 2 lbs chicken thighs or drumsticks (bone-in or boneless, skin removed if preferred)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, grated (optional but authentic)
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 1–2 bell peppers, chopped
- 1–2 medium tomatoes, diced (or 1 can diced tomatoes)
- 1–2 cups chopped sweet potatoes or potatoes (optional)
Peanut Sauce
- 1 cup smooth natural peanut butter
- 2–3 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp smoked paprika or mild chili powder
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1–2 tbsp tomato paste (optional, for richer flavor)
Optional Garnish
- Chopped peanuts
- Fresh cilantro
- Cooked rice or couscous for serving
Instructions
1. Brown the Chicken
- Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Season chicken lightly with salt and pepper.
- Brown chicken on all sides (2–3 minutes per side). Remove and set aside.
2. Sauté Aromatics
- In the same pot, sauté onions until translucent.
- Add garlic and ginger; cook 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Build the Sauce
- Stir in tomato paste (if using) and cook 1–2 minutes.
- Add diced tomatoes, carrots, bell peppers, and optional potatoes. Cook 3–5 minutes.
4. Add Peanut Butter & Broth
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in peanut butter until smooth.
- Gradually add chicken broth, stirring to combine into a creamy sauce.
- Add paprika, cayenne (if using), and adjust salt and pepper.
5. Simmer
- Return browned chicken to the pot.
- Cover and simmer 25–35 minutes until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
- Stir occasionally; if sauce is too thick, add more broth or water.
6. Serve
- Serve hot over steamed rice, couscous, or with crusty bread.
- Garnish with chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro if desired.
🔥 Tips & Variations
- Vegetarian version: Substitute chicken with chickpeas, sweet potatoes, or tofu.
- Creamier sauce: Add a splash of coconut milk for extra richness.
- Spice adjustment: Traditionally mild, but you can increase cayenne or add fresh chili for heat.
- Make ahead: Mafé tastes even better the next day as flavors meld together.
If you want, I can give a “restaurant-style, ultra-creamy chicken mafé” version where the peanut sauce is extra rich, silky, and infused with roasted peanuts and spices for maximum flavor 😏.
Do you want me to do that version?
