Description
This authentic West African Okra Stew combines tender chicken, vibrant okra, and a rich tomato base infused with bold spices and umami-packed crayfish powder. Its signature “draw” texture makes it perfect for serving with fufu, rice, or other traditional sides.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs bone-in chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks)
- 1 lb fresh or frozen okra, chopped into ½-inch rounds
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 large yellow onions (1 roughly chopped, 1 finely diced)
- 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1–2 Scotch bonnet peppers (whole for mild, minced for spicy)
- 2 large handfuls fresh spinach (optional)
- ¼ cup dried crayfish powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 chicken stock cubes (bouillon cubes)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ¼ cup palm oil or vegetable oil
- 4–5 cups water
Instructions
- In a large pot, combine chicken, roughly chopped onion, ginger, garlic, thyme, 1 stock cube, salt, pepper, and 4-5 cups water. Bring to a boil, then simmer 30-40 minutes. Remove chicken and reserve the broth.
- In a separate pot, heat palm oil over medium heat. Sauté finely diced onion for 5-7 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, remaining stock cube, smoked paprika, and Scotch bonnet. Simmer 15-20 minutes until oil separates.
- Pour reserved chicken broth into the tomato base. Stir in crayfish powder. Return chicken to the pot and simmer 10 minutes.
- Add chopped okra and cook 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add spinach in the last minute if using. Turn off heat, taste, and adjust seasoning.
- Serve hot with fufu, eba, banku, or steamed white rice.
Notes
To increase the stew’s silkiness, pulse some of the okra in a food processor before adding.
Avoid overcooking the okra to preserve its vibrant color and draw.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: West African
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
Keywords: Okra Stew, Okro Soup, West African recipes, chicken okra, Nigerian food, Ghanaian food, spicy stew, fufu recipes