Senegalese-style Chicken with Coconut Milk and Peanuts

Authentic Senegalese-style Chicken with Coconut Milk and Peanuts Recipe

Region / culture: Senegal | Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 45 minutes | Servings: 4

Introduction

This Senegalese-style Chicken with Coconut Milk and Peanuts recipe is a flavorful and aromatic dish that combines the richness of coconut milk with the nuttiness of peanuts. The combination of spices and ingredients creates a unique and delicious flavor profile that is sure to impress your taste buds.

History

This recipe is inspired by the traditional cuisine of Senegal, a country in West Africa known for its rich and flavorful dishes. Senegalese cuisine often features a combination of bold spices, fresh ingredients, and unique cooking techniques that create dishes with complex and delicious flavors.

Ingredients

1 (4 lb (1.81 kg)) chicken, excess fat removed and discarded, cut into 8 pieces (two half-breasts, each cut crosswise in half; 2 thighs, 2 drumsticks, 2 wings)
salt
pepper
2 tbsp peanut or vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 jalapeno chiles, stemmed, seeded, finely chopped
1 tbsp curry powder
1 cup chicken broth
5 medium tomatoes, peeled, cut in half crosswise, seeds squeezed out, coarsely chopped; or one 28 oz can whole tomatoes, drained, seeds squeezed out, coarsely chopped
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
0.33 cup smooth peanut butter without additives
3 tbsp chopped cilantro
2 tbsp lime juice

How to prepare

Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Brown them in oil over medium to high heat in a sauté pan, starting with the skin side down.
Sauté for about 8 minutes on each side or until both sides are golden brown.
Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
Pour out all but 1 tbsp of the oil used for browning the chicken. Stir in the onion, garlic, and chiles.
Cook over medium heat, stirring every minute or two, until the onions become translucent (about 10 minutes).
Stir in the curry powder and continue stirring the mixture over medium heat for 1 more minute.
Add the chicken broth and tomatoes. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes, then stir in the coconut milk.
Whisk about 0.5 cup of the tomato-coconut mixture with the peanut butter. Set it aside.
Place the chicken back in the pan with the remaining sauce. Simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the chicken feels firm to the touch.
Arrange the chicken on heated soup plates. Whisk the peanut mixture into the sauce.
Bring the sauce to a simmer and whisk in the peanut butter mixture, cilantro, and lime juice.
Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 1 minute, then ladle the sauce over the chicken.

Variations

For a vegetarian version, substitute tofu or chickpeas for the chicken.
Add vegetables such as bell peppers, sweet potatoes, or spinach to the sauce for added flavor and nutrition.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to brown the chicken pieces well before adding them to the sauce. This will help to develop a rich flavor and color in the dish.

- Be sure to remove the seeds from the tomatoes before chopping them to prevent the sauce from becoming too watery.

- Whisking the peanut butter with some of the tomato-coconut mixture before adding it to the sauce helps to ensure a smooth and creamy texture.

- Adjust the amount of jalapeno chiles to suit your spice preference. For a milder dish, use fewer chiles, or leave them out entirely for a mild version.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this dish over steamed rice or with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

- Garnish with chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice for a fresh and zesty finish.

Cooking Techniques

Browning the chicken before adding it to the sauce helps to develop a rich flavor and color in the dish.

- Simmering the sauce slowly allows the flavors to meld together and creates a delicious and aromatic dish.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can use almond butter or cashew butter as a substitute for peanut butter if you have a peanut allergy.

- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts for a lighter version of this dish.

Make Ahead Tips

This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated before serving. The flavors will continue to develop as it sits, making it even more delicious.

Presentation Ideas

Serve the chicken and sauce in a shallow bowl or on a platter, garnished with chopped cilantro and a wedge of lime for a beautiful presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

Pair this dish with a crisp and refreshing white wine, such as a Sauvignon Blanc or a Riesling, to complement the rich and spicy flavors.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat until warmed through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

450 per serving

Carbohydrates

15g per serving

Fats

28g per serving

Proteins

32g per serving

Vitamins and minerals

This dish is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and calcium.

Alergens

This recipe contains peanuts.

Summary

This dish is a balanced meal that provides a good mix of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It is also rich in essential vitamins and minerals.

Summary

This Senegalese-style Chicken with Coconut Milk and Peanuts recipe is a delicious and aromatic dish that combines the richness of coconut milk with the nuttiness of peanuts. With a perfect balance of flavors and textures, this dish is sure to become a new favorite in your recipe repertoire.

How did I get this recipe?

I remember the sense of anticipation I felt when I first saw this recipe for Senegalese-style Chicken with Coconut Milk and Peanuts. It was a sunny afternoon, and I was visiting my friend Fatou in her cozy kitchen. Fatou had just returned from a trip to Senegal, and she was eager to share with me the delicious dishes she had learned to make while she was there.

As she pulled out her old, worn notebook filled with handwritten recipes, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. Fatou's recipes were always a treasure trove of culinary delights, and I knew that this new addition would be no exception.

As she began to read out the ingredients and instructions for the Senegalese-style Chicken, I listened intently, my mouth already watering at the thought of the fragrant spices and rich coconut milk that would go into the dish. Fatou explained that this recipe was a traditional Senegalese dish that was often served at special occasions and celebrations.

The recipe called for chicken pieces marinated in a mixture of lemon juice, garlic, and ginger, then cooked in a creamy sauce made with coconut milk, tomatoes, and ground peanuts. It sounded like a symphony of flavors, a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and spicy that would surely delight the taste buds.

I knew I had to learn how to make this dish, so I asked Fatou if she would teach me. She smiled warmly and agreed, happy to pass on her knowledge to a fellow food lover. We spent the rest of the afternoon in her kitchen, chopping, sautéing, and simmering until the fragrant aroma of the Senegalese-style Chicken filled the air.

When the dish was finally ready, we sat down to enjoy it together, savoring each bite and marveling at the complex flavors that danced on our tongues. It was a truly unforgettable meal, and I knew that this recipe would become a staple in my own kitchen for years to come.

As I continued to cook the Senegalese-style Chicken for family gatherings and dinner parties, I found that it never failed to impress. The tender chicken, bathed in a luscious coconut milk sauce and sprinkled with crunchy peanuts, was always a hit with my loved ones. They would often ask for the recipe, and I would gladly share it, just as Fatou had shared it with me.

Over the years, I have made some tweaks and adjustments to the original recipe, adding my own personal touch to make it truly my own. I have experimented with different spices, vegetables, and even types of meat, but the essence of the dish remains the same – a tribute to the rich culinary heritage of Senegal.

Every time I make Senegalese-style Chicken with Coconut Milk and Peanuts, I am reminded of that sunny afternoon in Fatou's kitchen, where I first discovered the magic of this dish. It is a reminder of the power of food to bring people together, to create lasting memories, and to celebrate the joys of life.

And so, as I stand in my own kitchen now, preparing this beloved recipe for yet another family dinner, I am filled with a sense of gratitude for the journey that has brought me here. I am grateful for Fatou, for her generosity in sharing her knowledge with me, and for the joy that this dish has brought to my loved ones.

As the savory aroma of the Senegalese-style Chicken fills the air, I smile to myself, knowing that I am carrying on a tradition that spans generations and continents. And as I sit down to enjoy the meal with my family, I am filled with a deep sense of contentment, knowing that I am passing on the gift of good food and cherished memories to those I love.