Why this fits a family on a budget
This West African stew hits $4.35 and 25 minutes, pulling from your existing spices and pantry while bringing real flavor variety to your week. It's a different cuisine that feels special without any fuss.
• 0.75 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 0.75 cup long grain white rice
• 8 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 0.5 each yellow onion
• 2 clove garlic cloves
• 0.5 cup chicken broth
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
• 0.25 tsp ground cumin
• 0.25 tsp ground coriander
• 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley
1. Start the rice: combine 0.75 cup rice with 1.5 cups water and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to the lowest setting, cover, and cook for 18 minutes until water is fully absorbed.
2. While rice starts, dice the onion into small pieces and mince the garlic cloves.
3. Cut chicken thighs into 1.5-inch chunks and season all over with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, and cayenne.
4. Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers (about 1 minute).
5. Add the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook undisturbed for 3 minutes until the bottom side is golden brown, then flip and cook another 2 minutes. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked through yet.
6. Push the chicken to the edges of the pan. Add the diced onion to the center and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes until softened and translucent.
7. Add the minced garlic and tomato paste, stir everything together, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant and the tomato paste darkens slightly.
8. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Stir well to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
9. Bring the stew to a simmer (gentle bubbling around the edges) and cook uncovered for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the chicken is cooked through with no pink remaining.
10. Taste and adjust salt as needed. Fluff the rice with a fork. Serve the stew over rice and garnish with the fresh parsley.
Cost is a national-average estimate and varies by store and region.
This recipe was generated by Plento Pasto's AI from a library of family-friendly dishes and reviewed for a real photo before publishing. Cooking times, costs, and nutrition are estimates — use your judgment in the kitchen.