🇹🇿 Tanzanian · Meat Dishes
🍗 Tanzanian Chicken and Potato Stew
Mchuzi wa Kuku na Viazi
Mchuzi wa Kuku na Viazi — chicken and potato stew. Bone-in chicken and potato chunks simmered in a fragrant tomato sauce until both are perfectly tender. The affordable, complete, everyday Tanzanian family stew.
Chicken and potato stew is the weekday workhorse of Tanzanian family cooking — the stew that appears when resources are limited but the family needs a complete, satisfying meal. Chicken extends further with potatoes alongside, and the potatoes absorb all the flavours of the stew.
Ingredients
Equipment: Large pot
- 1 kg chicken pieces
- 400g potatoes — cubed
- 2 onions
- 3 tomatoes
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp ginger
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 2 tsp salt
- 1.5 cups water
- ¼ cup coriander
Method
- Brown chicken. Remove.
- Cook onions until golden.
- Add garlic, ginger, spices, tomatoes. Cook 6 minutes.
- Return chicken. Add water. Simmer 20 minutes.
- Add potatoes. Simmer 20 more minutes until tender.
- Garnish with coriander.
Chef Tips
- Bone-in chicken gives much more flavour.
- Add potatoes when chicken is half-cooked.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Boneless chicken — reduced flavour.
- Potatoes added too early.
The Science
See TZA046 for potato starch thickening science.
Nutrition (per serving)
Health Benefits
- High lean protein.
- Potatoes add potassium.
- Complete meal.
Cultural Note
Chicken and potato stew is the daily meal of Tanzania's working families — reliable, affordable, and deeply satisfying. It appears on every mama lishe menu and in every family pot across the country.
Storage & Serving
Storage: Refrigerate 3 days.
Reheating: Gently.
Serve with: Ugali (TZA001), Chapati (TZA004), Rice