Liberian Pepper Soup (Spicy Chicken Broth)
In short: A fiery, aromatic broth of chicken simmered with hot pepper, ginger, garlic and onion, served with rice or a ball of dumboy on cool, rainy days. It takes about 1 h 15 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 1 h
- Total
- 1 h 15 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 275 kcal
Pepper soup is the Liberian answer to a rainy evening, a cold, or a visit from friends. Bone-in chicken or goat simmers in a thin broth loaded with hot pepper, fresh ginger, garlic and onion, and the result is more of a spicy restorative than a thick stew. Many families eat it with rice or a ball of dumboy, and serve it at gatherings. This version is made with chicken and takes about an hour.
Instructions
- Put the chicken, water, onion, garlic, ginger, hot peppers, black pepper, thyme, bay leaves and salt in a large pot.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, skim off the foam, then reduce the heat to a steady simmer.
- Cook, partly covered, for 45 minutes, until the chicken is very tender and registers 74°C (165°F) at the thickest part.
- Taste the broth and add salt if needed. For more heat, press a pepper against the side of the pot to release its seeds. For less, lift the peppers out.
- Stir in the basil, if using, and simmer for 2 minutes. Serve in deep bowls with rice or dumboy.
Tips
- Scotch bonnets are very hot. Lift them out early for milder heat, and wear gloves when cutting them.
- Goat meat, beef short ribs or fish steaks also work. Cook goat for about 1 1/2 hours, and add fish only for the last 10 minutes.
Questions and answers
Is pepper soup the same as chicken soup?
It is a thin broth like chicken soup, but much hotter and flavored with ginger and garlic. It is eaten as a main dish with rice or dumboy rather than as a starter.
Can I make pepper soup ahead of time?
Yes. The flavor deepens overnight. Refrigerate for up to 4 days and reheat to a full simmer. It also freezes well for up to 3 months.
How spicy is Liberian pepper soup?
Quite spicy. Use one halved scotch bonnet for medium heat, and two or more for the traditional fire. Extra broth dilutes the heat in the bowl.
How long does it take to make Liberian Pepper Soup (Spicy Chicken Broth)?
About 1 h 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 1 h of cooking.
How many calories are in Liberian Pepper Soup (Spicy Chicken Broth)?
About 275 kcal per serving, with 27 g of protein, 5 g of carbohydrates and 16 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 275 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 27 g |
| Carbohydrates | 5 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 780 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
