Maafe – West African Peanut and Chicken Stew

Maafe is the peanut stew found across much of Senegal, Mali, and Gambia, where natural peanut butter is whisked into broth until it turns into a rich, nutty sauce. Chicken thighs get seared first for a bit of color, then simmer in that sauce alongside sweet potato until everything is fork-tender.

Kale stirred in at the end brings a fresh, slightly bitter contrast to the sweetness of the peanut butter and sweet potato, and keeps the bowl from feeling one-note.

This is a satisfying, high-protein dinner built around real ingredients, not a shortcut sauce. The peanut butter does add fat to the dish, so it's best enjoyed as part of a varied week rather than a nightly habit, but it's a good option when you want something warming and substantial with a base that isn't rice or bread. Leftovers taste even better the next day once the peanut sauce has had time to deepen further into the chicken and vegetables.