Name: Chicken Peanut Stew
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: West African
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cubed; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 onion, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1-inch ginger root, minced; 1 red chili pepper, seeded and minced; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon cumin; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 can (14 oz.) diced tomatoes; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 4 cups); 3 cups chicken broth, or water; 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter; 1 cup kale or collards, roughly chopped; Brown rice or millet, cooked, to serve; Roasted peanuts, roughly chopped; Cilantro, roughly chopped

Filled with tender chicken, sweet potatoes, and a rich and creamy peanut and tomato sauce, this West-African-inspired chicken peanut stew is total comfort food. Whip up this one-pot recipe for a crowd-pleasing and family-friendly meal.

Bowl of west African chicken peanut stew with brown rice, chopped peanuts, and cilantro.

Traditional peanut stew or groundnut stew, also known as maafe, is a staple of West African dish originating from Senegal. Across the region, there are many versions of the that feature peanuts as the base but are adapted with various meats, vegetables, and spices, depending on what’s available.

Made with pantry staples, this chicken peanut stew recipe is a great reminder that you don’t need fancy ingredients to make a delicious meal. With the right combination of spices, ingredients, and a bit of time, you can create a flavorful stew without much effort.

Pot of west African peanut stew with chicken on a wood cutting board with a side of brown rice, chopped peanuts, cilantro, and a tea towel.

Why You’ll Love It

Made in One Pot – Ready in 40 minutes in a single pot, this recipe is great for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
High in Protein – With over 30 grams of protein per serving, this West African peanut soup with chicken is a protein-packed meal.
Keeps Well – This stew keeps well in the fridge and freezer, which makes it a great meal prep idea for healthy lunches.

Ingredients for West African chicken peanut stew: chicken thighs, peanut butter, diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, ginger, pepper, sweet potatoes, kale, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and chopped peanuts.

Ingredients + Substitutions

Chicken – To add some protein. I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs in my recipes but chicken breasts will also work.
Peanut Butter – To add some more protein and healthy fats. I used natural peanut butter, but conventional smooth and crunchy peanut butter will also work well.
Sweet Potatoes – To add some complex carbohydrates.
Tomatoes – A mixture of diced tomatoes and tomato paste to thicken the stew.
Red Chili – To add a bit of heat, although optional. You can also use red pepper flakes, see the notes section of the recipe card for details.
Onion, Garlic, and Ginger – To add flavor and fragrance. I used fresh ginger, onion, and garlic, but you can use powder if preferred. See the notes section of the recipe card for details.
Spices – A mixture of smoked paprika, ground cumin, and salt to season the stew.
Broth – The recipe calls for chicken broth, but vegetable broth and water will also work well.
Greens – A bit of kale or collard greens to add some fiber and micronutrients. Spinach would also work well.
Roasted Peanuts – To serve, although optional.

Large pot with browned cubed chicken thighs.

Large pot with sauted onion, garlic, ginger, red chili, smoked paprika, cumin, and salt.

Dietary Adaptions

To Make it Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free chicken broth.

To Make it Dairy-Free: No adaptations are needed, this recipe is dairy-free.

Large pot with broth, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, creamy peanut butter, and spices.

Large pot with broth, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, creamy, peanut butter, spices, cooked chicken, and sweet potatoes.

Red’s Nutrition Tip

This combination of chicken thighs and peanuts, which are one of the highest protein nuts, ensures that this stew is protein-packed, and serving it with brown rice or millet, which are some of the highest protein grains, is a great way to take the protein content to the next level.

Large pot with African chicken peanut stew.

Serving Suggestions

This chicken peanut stew is a well-balanced meal that is high in protein, full of healthy fats, and rich in fiber. It can be enjoyed on its own or served with a side of brown rice for a more filling meal, or adapted to suit your personal dietary needs, for example:

To add more protein, add an additional 1/2 pound of chicken thighs to the recipe.
To add more complex carbohydrates, serve the stew with some cooked millet, steamed white rice, or brown rice.
To add more fiber, serve the stew with some cauliflower rice or a side of steamed vegetables such as broccoli.
To reduce the fat content, swap the chicken thighs for chicken breasts and use low-fat peanut butter.

Bowl of chicken peanut stew with brown rice and cilantro.

Storage + Reheating

To Refrigerate: Allow the stew to cool completely, transfer to an airtight container, and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To Freeze: Once cooled, any leftover chicken peanut stew can be stored in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

To Reheat: Once thawed, place the stew in a pot on the stovetop on medium heat and warm for 5 minutes or until heated. To reheat the stew in the microwave, place thawed stew in a microwave-safe bowl and warm for 2-3 minutes.

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