🍲 Chicken & Dumpling Combo (Botswana Style)

 


🕰️ Total Time:

  • Prep: 20 min

  • Cook: 60 min

  • Serves: 4–6

🐓 Ingredients

For the Chicken Stew:

  • 1 whole chicken (cut into pieces) or 1.5 kg chicken thighs/legs

  • 2 tbsp cooking oil (sunflower or canola)

  • 1 large onion, chopped

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated

  • 2 large tomatoes, chopped

  • 2 tbsp tomato paste

  • 1 tsp paprika

  • 1 tsp curry powder

  • 1 tsp chili flakes (optional)

  • 1 tsp ground black pepper

  • Salt to taste

  • 3 cups water or chicken stock

  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped

  • 2 potatoes, peeled and diced

  • Fresh coriander or parsley for garnish (optional)

For the Dumplings (Madombi):

  • 2 cups cake flour or all-purpose flour

  • 1 tbsp sugar

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 2 tsp baking powder

  • 2 tbsp margarine or butter

  • About ¾ cup warm water or milk (adjust for consistency)

🔥 Instructions

🧑🏽‍🍳 Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Stew

  1. Season and Brown the Chicken

    • Pat chicken pieces dry, season lightly with salt and pepper.

    • Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat and brown the chicken pieces on all sides. Remove and set aside.

  2. Sauté the Aromatics

    • In the same pot, add onions. Cook until soft (about 5 min).

    • Add garlic and ginger. Sauté for 1–2 minutes.

  3. Add Tomatoes & Spices

    • Stir in chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, paprika, curry powder, and chili flakes.

    • Let cook until tomatoes break down into a thick sauce.

  4. Simmer the Stew

    • Return chicken to the pot. Add carrots and potatoes.

    • Pour in water/stock, season with salt and pepper.

    • Cover and simmer for 30–40 minutes, until the chicken is tender and broth is flavorful.

🥟 Step 2: Make the Dumplings (Madombi)

  1. Mix Dry Ingredients

    • In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder.

  2. Add Margarine/Butter

    • Rub margarine into the flour mixture using your fingers until crumbly.

  3. Form the Dough

    • Slowly add warm water or milk, stirring until a soft dough forms.

    • Knead lightly until smooth (do not overwork).

  4. Shape Dumplings

    • Roll dough into balls, about the size of a golf ball.

✨ Step 3: Steam the Dumplings in the Stew

  1. Place Dumplings on Stew

    • When the stew is nearly done and simmering gently, carefully place the dumplings on top of the stew (do not submerge).

  2. Steam Covered

    • Cover pot tightly with a lid (or cloth under the lid to catch condensation).

    • Simmer gently for 20–25 minutes. Avoid opening the lid too often to ensure dumplings cook through and stay fluffy.

🌿 To Serve

  • Ladle chicken, vegetables, and gravy into bowls.

  • Add 1–2 dumplings per serving.

  • Garnish with chopped fresh herbs.

  • Optional: Serve with a side of morogo (wild greens) or pap (maize porridge) for an authentic Botswanan meal.

👩🏾‍🍳 Tips

  • Use free-range chicken if available – more flavor, especially in slow-cooked stews.

  • Add a touch of roasted peanut butter to the stew base for regional depth.

  • For a richer broth, simmer bones or use homemade chicken stock.


YT Channel: Infinite Curiosity

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