This classic African potato stew, otherwise known as potato hot-pot, is the ultimate comfort food. It doesn’t take much time to make and I promise it’s well worth the effort. Aside from being delicious, this African potato stew is also a one-pot meal that feeds a crowd.
The satisfying and flavor-packed potato hot pot is simmered in a hearty and spicy sauce before serving. What a crowd pleasing, vibrant one pot African potato stew.
Hearty and Spicy African Potato Stew Recipe
It’s absolutely delicious, both savory and spicy, and completely satisfying. And did I mention that it is a crowd-pleaser too? Everyone goes crazy over it.
What is Potato Hot Pot?
This is a one-pot stewed Irish potato dish with protein of choice and veggies.
Origin of Potato Hot Pot
African potato stew is very common in Africa, especially countries like Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda among others.
Is Potato Hot Pot Healthy?
When consumed in moderation, potatoes can be an excellent addition to your diet.
Their fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6 content, coupled with their lack of cholesterol, all support heart health.
Unlike fried potatoes, stewed potatoes are low in fat and calories.
Best Potatoes for African Potato Stew
The best potatoes for making potato stew are ones that will not break down when simmered. Yukon Gold potatoes are on the medium-starchy side and will hold their shape in soups.
Ingredients for African Potato Stew
- Skinless chicken(drum sticks or thighs or a whole chicken cut into pieces)
- Irish Potatoes
- Carrots
- Onion
- Tomatoes
- green seasoning paste or garlic ginger paste.
- Green beans
- Paprika
- Habanero pepper
- Cooking oil
- Salt
- Seasoning cubes
- Black pepper
A full list of the measurements is in the recipe box below.
How to Make African Potato Stew
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions and sauté for about 3 minutes till nicely browned.
- To that, add green seasoning paste and sauté till fragrant; about 1 minute.
- At this point, add salt, seasoning cube, pepper and sauté for 30 seconds.
- Follow by adding the tomatoes, and fry the tomatoes till well broken down and cooked.
- Add chicken and stir till well coated with the tomato sauce. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot and cook the chicken for 5 minutes without adding water. The chicken will produce some of its juices, so don’t worry.
- After 5 minutes, add water, habanero pepper and the potatoes and mix well. Cover the pot and simmer on medium-low heat for 15 minutes.
- Lastly, add carrots, paprika, and green beans. Mix gently, adjust seasoning if necessary and simmer once more with a covered lid for 5 minutes.
How to serve African Potato Stew
A dish like this potato hot pot dish is a complete meal on it’s own. It is full of creamy potatoes, deliciously juicy chicken and flavorfully crunchy vegetables.
Variations for African Potato Stew
Feel free to adapt the recipe to your liking. You can substitute the chicken with beef OR leave out the chicken and serve it as a vegan potato stew altogether. Either way, it’s a soul-satisfying comfort food for a cold night. Use your imagination to make it your own.
How to Store Leftover Potato Hot Pot
To maximize the shelf life of potato stew, refrigerate the potatoes in air-tight container for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Freeze in an air-tight container for up to 2 months.
To thaw, leave overnight in the fridge of for a couple of hours on the kitchen countertop.
However, it is important to note that potatoes will have minor texture changes when left overnight, refrigerated or frozen.
Reheating Leftover Potato Hot Pot
Transfer the potato stew into a large pot and warm over medium-heat till thoroughly heated through; about 5 minutes.
Once thoroughly warmed, this African potato stew will regain some of its creamy texture.
Warming on high heat will only lead to the potato stew burning.
More Tips
- Use harder textured potatoes such as Yukon Gold or red potatoes for stews.
- chop the habanero peppers for more heat or leave whole if all you need is the unique flavor.
Other African Stew Recipes You May Like:
African Potato Stew (Potato hot Pot)
Ingredients
- 1 kg skinless chicken or legs or whole chopped chicken
- 2 kg Irish potatoes peeled and cubed
- 3 medium carrots peeled and chopped
- 1 cup green beans washed and chopped
- 1 paprika washed and chopped
- 1 habanero pepper
- 1 large onion peeled and chopped
- 1 tbsp green seasoning paste or garlic-ginger paste
- 4 large tomatoes washed and chopped
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 seasoning cube
- 1 tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 1 1/2 - 2 cups water
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions and sauté for about 3 minutes till nicely browned.
- To that, add green seasoning paste and sauté till fragrant; about 1 minute.
- At this point, add salt, seasoning cube, pepper and sauté for 30 seconds.
- Follow by adding the tomatoes and fry the tomatoes till well broken down and cooked.
- Add chicken and stir till well coated with the tomato sauce. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot and cook the chicken for 5 minutes without adding water. The chicken will produce some of its juices, so don't worry.
- After 5 minutes, add water, habanero pepper, and the potatoes and mix well. Cover the pot and simmer on medium-low heat for 15 minutes.
- Lastly, add carrots, paprika, and green beans. Mix gently, adjust seasoning if necessary and simmer once more with a covered lid for 5 minutes.
If you enjoy this African Potato Stew recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with Star rating. I would love to hear from you.
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I’ve never left a recipe comment before… but just had to say “thank you Jayne”! Delicious!
That is awesome Diana. I am grateful for your feedback.
I love all the spices and flavors in this dish!
Thanks Jazz
This looks scrumptious!!! I’m adding this to my weeknight meal lineup!
Great. Do that Calysta.
This is the comfort food I need this season! Thank you for this recipe <3.
Thanks for your feedback Mila. Appreciated.
This stew looks so flavorful, comforting, and delicious! Would love to give it a try soon!
Please do LaKita. I am sure you will love it. Thanks for sharing.
This stew looks delicious!!! It will be great for a weeknight dinner!!
I totally agree with you Katrina. Thanks for your feedback.
My husband has been super into African recipes lately, although I must admit I’ve been a little intimidated to jump in. This is definitely one for me to try!
I have a lot of African recipes here Adri. I think this is a good place to start and then you can slowly check the others out. Thanks for your feedback.
This stew is perfect for these cold winter nights. You made not feel so bad about eating the potatoes in moderation! Thank you
No, thank you for your feedback, Portia. Appreciated.
This reminds me of the Puerto Rican version of “pollo guisado.” It uses similar ingredients. Honestly, this used to be my FAVORITE dish to have when I was eating meat. I still miss it. Good times.
What a fancy name. I think I will check it out. Thanks for sharing, Aly Michell.
Looks so flavorful! Thanks for sharing your recipe with us!
Thanks Desirée
This is the perfect stew for our cool weather days! The spices in it are so perfect, and your recipe is very easy to follow. Definitely making this in the near future!
I am really loving your recipes and this one right here is one of my favorite stews
Wooow. Thanks so much, Hanrieta for your feedback.
Exactly what I am craving right now. It looks so delicious.
I am glad you love it. Thanks so much for the feedback.
The weather here is SO rainy and gross that I’m craving this dish and I’ve never heard about it until now!
The dish looks very colourful and of course delicious. will try one of these days to prepare something like that
Do that and let me know how it turned out okay? Thanks for your feedback.
I can surely eat this one continuously for a week. I can imagine how tasteful it is
I know right? Me too. I appreciate your feedback.