Liberian Chicken Gravy

Content… Pro Tips for Faster Gravy Recipe Ingredients How to Make It Recipe Variations Tips and Tricks Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions What to Serve More Tasty African Soups and Stews to Try

Pro Tips for Making Liberian Chicken Gravy Faster

Cooking each protein separately can be time-consuming. To be honest, I don’t usually go to the trouble of frying the fish at home to include in this stew.

I have two options to shorten the time without sacrificing the fried fish flavor. I buy fish from the fish market and have them do the work by frying it and reducing the cooking time. Or I double the recipe when frying fish for another meal and freeze the leftovers for this recipe.👌

Recipe Ingredients

1. Proteins – Fried fish, chicken, and shrimp are the traditional ingredients, but you can customize that list. If you’re in the mood to fry your own fish, try fried catfish nuggets.
2. Oil – An African stew staple, you’ll need some cooking oil for this recipe. Canola, corn, or vegetable oil will do the trick.
3. Veggies – Red and green bell pepper, onion, garlic, ginger, fresh tomatoes, tomato paste, and a scotch bonnet pepper (or habanero pepper) make the base for this ultra-flavorful gravy.
4. Seasonings – Basil and parsley, chicken bouillon, cayenne pepper, and S&P are all you need to complement the veggie flavors.

How to Make Liberian Chicken Gravy

• Cook Meat: Simmer chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, chicken bouillon, and chopped onion in a medium pot until tender. Cooking time varies according to the size and cut of chicken you use. Reserve the stock for later use. (Photo 1)
• Puree tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, garlic, and herbs in a food processor or blender. (Photos 2-3)
• Saute: Add ½ cup oil to a heavy-duty pot, and then add the bell pepper blend, followed by tomato paste. Sauté for 10-15 minutes to blend all the flavors. Stir frequently as the sauce simmers. (Photos 4-5)
• Assemble: Add the chicken and fried fish to the sauce with about 2 cups of stock. Let it simmer for another 10 minutes. (Photo 6)
• Shrimp: Toss in the shrimp (if using) and cook for another 3-5 minutes.
• Serve: Finally, adjust the seasonings to taste with salt and pepper and the consistency with water or chicken stock.

Recipe Variations

1. If you want to omit the fish, the chicken and shrimp stand well on their own.
2. To make a vegetarian Liberian “chicken” gravy recipe, swap the proteins with tofu, chickpeas, or other plant-based protein. Swap out chicken bouillon and stock for a vegetable variety.
3. Add other veggies. This stew is easy to customize. You can add carrots, corn, peas, or other vegetable to this stew; it tastes great!

Tips and Tricks

1. Add reserved chicken stock as needed while sauteing the bell pepper sauce to keep it from sticking or burning.
2. If you use a scotch bonnet and send it through the blender, be careful when you handle the sauce. You don’t want to get it in your eyes! Trust me on this one. 😂
3. Sauteeing the veggie blend in oil blends the flavors, but it also reduces the acidity of the tomato sauce. Feel free to use less oil than I did, but please don’t skip this step.

Make-Ahead Instructions

This stew is a great make-ahead! Make it a day or two ahead and refrigerate in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Or pop it in the freezer for up to three months.

Serving and Storage Instructions 

Serve Liberian chicken gravy hot with a side of rice. If you have leftovers, refrigerate them in an airtight container for 3-5 days. Reheat this dish on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave. 

What Goes With Chicken Liberian Gravy

I love this dish poured over rice! Try it with traditional African rice like spinach rice, East African pilau rice, or basmati rice. Then, wash it all down with a refreshing sorrel drink. 🌺

More Tasty African Soups and Stews to Try

1. Peanut Stew
2. Chicken Stew
3. Yam Soup
4. Pepper Soup
5. Beef Stew

By Imma