Nigerian Tomato Stew is a staple you’ll always want in your family menu. It’s simple to prepare, incredibly flavorful, and very versatile. You can enjoy it with rice, pasta, yams, plantains, or even soups. In many West African homes, it also serves as the perfect base for dishes like jollof rice and tomato pasta, making everyday meals quick, delicious, and stress-free.
THE BEST NIGERIAN TOMATO CHICKEN STEW RECIPE VIDEO
This recipe can be used for varieties like Nigerian turkey, beef, goat, or, in this case, chicken stew. Its unique, bold taste comes from perfectly cooked tomatoes, peppers, spices, and well-seasoned meat. When cooked properly, it develops a rich, thick texture with oil gently rising to the top, a sign of a perfectly made Nigerian stew.
KEY INGREDIENTS
Meat: The choice of meat plays an essential role in the flavour of your stew. For this recipe, we will be using chicken; however, you are free to use other options like beef, lamb, goat meat, or turkey.
Stock: Stock is the water you get after boiling your meat. I would suggest you make yours from scratch. You can do this by cooking your chicken with spices, vegetables, and a little water. I can boldly say it’s rare for any Nigerian to come with store-bought stock, because it’s just not the same.
Fresh tomatoes/Bell Peppers: Getting the right balance between tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, and scotch bonnet peppers is key to achieving the perfect taste and colour.
50% —————— Bell peppers
30% …………………. Tomaotoes
10%………………….. Scotch Bonnet peppers
10% …………………. Onion
Seasoning & Spices: Seasoning brings the flavour and aroma together. Spices include curry powder, thyme, onion powder, ginger powder, seasoning cubes, salt, and red pepper powder (optional).
Tomato paste: I will be using tomato paste; however you if you are not a fan, feel free to complement with only the tomato and bell pepper mix recommended above. Tomato paste gives your stew thickness and a deeper red color. Ensure you fry your tomato paste for a few minutes to remove its raw, sour taste before adding your tomato/pepper mix.
Optional Add-in: For added vitamins and a touch of sweetness, carrots can be included as an optional ingredient. Though carrots are optional, they are highly recommended if you’re looking to make your meals more nutrient-rich.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH NIGERIAN STEW
Nigerian tomato stew is extremely versatile and can be paired with many dishes; the options are limitless. It pairs well with rice, plantain, yams, pasta, spaghetti, or Eba/Fufu. A classic Nigerian Sunday meal will be white rice, stew, chicken, and plantain on the side. You can further add vegetables to make it healthier.
HOW TO GET IT RIGHT EVERY TIME
- To avoid sour stew, ensure you fry your fresh tomatoes properly for a few minutes before adding in your fresh tomato and pepper blend.
- To elevate the flavour of your stew, add curry powder and bay leaves in oil before adding in chopped onion.
HOW TO STORE
Store your stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for about 3 months.
The Best Nigerian Chicken Tomato Stew
Ingredients
STEW BASE:
- 1/2 medium onion chopped
- 2 large bell peppers
- 5 fresh tomatoes
- 1/2 onion
TO MAKE STEW:
- 2 tins Tomato paste
- Oil for frying stew
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 seasoning cube
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp ginger powder
- salt to taste
- water depending how thick or thin you like your stew
Instructions
- Clean and blend your tomatoes, bell peppers, and onion until smooth. Tip: You can decide to add them to a pot and boil it down first or move to step 2.
- Heat oil in a pan and add in chopped onion; fry until onion becomes translucent, then add in tomato paste and fry for 10 minutes.
- Add the blended tomato and pepper mix and continue frying until the oil begins to separate and float at the top.
- Add curry, thyme, onion powder, ginger powder, seasoning cube, red pepper powder, and salt. fry for another 5 minutes
- Add chicken stock, mix, and grilled chicken. If stew is too thick, add water/ stock and adjust seasoning to taste.
- Add in carrots or any other vegetable of choice
- Allow stew to simmer for another 10 – 15 minutes on low or medium heat. If it starts to splash, cover more than halfway through.
- Serve stew with any base of choice