Zambian Village Chicken Stew with Tomato and Onion
In short: Free-range chicken browned and slowly simmered with tomato, onion, garlic and green pepper until tender. A Zambian dish for guests, served with nshima. It takes about 1 h 55 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h 35 min
- Total
- 1 h 55 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 415 kcal
In Zambia, village chicken means free-range chicken, raised at home and cooked for guests and celebrations. The birds are lean and firm, so the meat is simmered slowly with onion, tomato and green pepper until tender. The sauce is short and rich, made for scooping up with nshima. Free-range or older chickens give the best flavor, though regular bone-in chicken legs work well too.
Instructions
- Season the chicken with 1 tsp of the salt and the pepper. Heat the oil in a large heavy pot and brown the chicken in batches for about 4 minutes per side. Set aside.
- Cook the onions in the same pot for 8 minutes until soft and golden. Add the garlic and ginger for 1 minute, then the tomato paste for 2 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes, chili and bay leaf and cook for 8 minutes until the tomatoes break down.
- Return the chicken to the pot and add the water and the remaining salt. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes, or 75 to 90 minutes for a tough free-range bird, until the chicken is tender and reaches 74°C (165°F).
- Add the bell pepper, uncover and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes more, until the sauce is thick and the pepper is soft.
- Remove the bay leaf and chili, taste for salt and serve hot with nshima or rice.
Tips
- A mature free-range hen is firmer and needs longer cooking, but gives deep flavor. Check it for tenderness with a knife after 75 minutes.
- Browning the chicken well first builds flavor in the sauce. Dry the pieces and do not crowd the pot.
Questions and answers
What does village chicken mean?
It means free-range chicken, kept in the village yard, which is leaner and firmer than farmed chicken. It is prized for flavor and cooked slowly.
Can I use ordinary chicken?
Yes. Use bone-in chicken legs and simmer for 40 to 45 minutes.
What goes with Zambian chicken stew?
Nshima is traditional, with a side of greens such as ifisashi or a simple tomato and onion salad.
How long does it take to make Zambian Village Chicken Stew with Tomato and Onion?
About 1 h 55 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 1 h 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Zambian Village Chicken Stew with Tomato and Onion?
About 415 kcal per serving, with 35 g of protein, 8 g of carbohydrates and 26 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 415 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 35 g |
| Carbohydrates | 8 g |
| Fat | 26 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 640 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
