Simple Chicken Sauce

Chicken sauce is a delicious recipe that goes well for kids and adults too. It can be paired with rice, couscous, pasta and even yam and potatoes or plantain. Kids can also dip their bread in it and it can also be made as a perfect or ideal lunchbox meal in place of using regular tomato stew. This simple chicken sauce is made using one of our very Nigerian staple food as a thickener – pap powder. Dry pap powder, made from drying wet pap (akamu, ogi, koko) that is made from corn is exactly the same thing as cornflour used in thickening sauces, but with better nutritional content. The difference between cornflour and dry pap powder is in the fermentation of the latter by soaking it for 2-3 days before grinding. This improves the nutritional value, makes it gut-friendly and also removes some bad nutrients that are not healthy for our bodies.

When making this chicken sauce with dry pap powder, you are confident that you are using a thickener that is better nutritionally than cornflour. This sauce is always yummy and as always I use the easiest and simplest ingredients that you can always find, no matter where you are.

Simple Chicken Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

• 15-20 pcs boneless chicken cut into cubes ( I prefer using chicken thighs than chicken breast)
• 1 tsp each of spices of choice (I used curry powder, ginger, thyme, garlic & paprika)
• 1 seasoning cube
• 1 small onion (chopped)
• 1 cooking spoon vegetable oil + 1 tsp
• Vegetables of choice (I used spring onions, bell peppers carrot and green beans)
• 1-2 tsp dry pap powder
• Salt & pepper to taste

Method

1. Mix the chicken breast with the spices, seasoning cube, onion and 1 tsp of oil. Allow to marinate for about 20-30 mins.
2. Add remaining oil in pot and once hot, add the chicken to brown for about 2-3 mins.
3. Stir in the spring onions and carrots, then add about 2-3 cups of water.
4. Add salt and pepper if needed , then cover allow to cook for about 15-20 minutes.
5. Mix pap powder with a little cold water to get a liquid paste, then add to the pot with the remaining vegetables.
6. Stir, check for taste and cover to simmer for about 2-3 mins or till sauce thickens to your liking. I like mine water as it thickens as it cools down.
7. Serve with boiled rice or any other main dish.