Moambe Chicken with Rice

Moambe is a slow, generous stew built on palm oil, groundnut, and tomato. This sample recipe is written for a home kitchen and a shared table.

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces (or 8 chicken thighs)
• 2 tbsp red palm oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, grated
• 2 tbsp groundnut paste
• 3 tomatoes, blended
• 1 tsp pili-pili, or to taste
• Salt and black pepper
• Steamed rice and greens, to serve

Method

1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Brown it in a wide pot over medium-high heat, then set aside.
2. Warm the palm oil in the same pot. Cook the onion until soft, then add the garlic and pili-pili.
3. Stir in the blended tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes, until the sauce deepens in colour.
4. Loosen the groundnut paste with a ladle of warm water and stir it into the pot.
5. Return the chicken, cover, and simmer gently for 30–35 minutes, turning the pieces once.
6. Taste for salt and heat. Serve with rice and greens, with extra sauce spooned over the top.

A note from the kitchen

The sauce should be thick enough to coat a spoon but loose enough to soak into rice. Add a little warm water if it tightens too much.