Chicken mafé with sweet potatoes

Mafé, a delicious stew made with peanut paste, is a traditional West African dish, particularly popular in Senegal and Mali. While its origins lie in Mali, Senegal has popularized it internationally. This gluten-free version reimagines the traditional recipe using only sweet potatoes, offering a balanced sweetness that perfectly complements the rich flavors of the sauce. Easy to prepare, this gluten-free dish is sure to delight lovers of exotic cuisine.

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time 50 minutes

Total time 1 hour 10 minutes

Difficulty: Beginner

Servings: 5

Special diet: suitable for gluten-free diet

Ingredients

1 chicken, cut into pieces
2 medium sweet potatoes (approximately 400g)
2 carrots, sliced into rounds
1 large onion, sliced
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
200g natural peanut butter (sugar and gluten free)
400g of crushed tomatoes 4 fresh tomatoes, peeled and blended)
500 ml of chicken stock (gluten-free)
2 tablespoons of peanut oil or vegetable oil
1 tsp sweet paprika
1 tsp sweet chili pepper (optional, according to taste)
Salt and pepper, according to your preference
A few fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Preparation

1
Prepare the chicken: In a large casserole dish or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat.
2
Fry the chicken thighs until they are golden brown on each side (about 5 minutes per side). Remove and set aside.
3
Sauté the vegetables: In the same pot, add the sliced onion and chopped garlic. Sauté for 3 minutes until they become translucent.
4
Add the carrots and sweet potatoes. Mix and cook for another 2 minutes.
5
To prepare the sauce: Stir in the chopped tomatoes and paprika. Mix well to coat the vegetables. Add the peanut paste and stir until you have a smooth sauce.
6
To cook the mafé: Return the chicken to the pot and pour in the chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7
To finish the dish: Check that the sweet potatoes are cooked through; they should be tender. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.
8
Serving: Serve hot, accompanied by rice (I chose brown red rice). Garnish with a few fresh coriander leaves.

Note

Mafé is often prepared with African eggplants: small, round, white eggplants. In Mali, this dish is often spicier.

Keywords: Gluten-free chicken mafé, Gluten-free African recipe, Senegalese recipe, Malian recipe, Easy gluten-free dish, Chicken and sweet potato recipe