African pepper soup is a delightfully ,intensely flavored soup that is served throughout West Africa, especially in Nigeria, Cameroon and other neighboring African countries.
The only ingredient that is inherently present in this soup is – Pepper. The rest is fair game.
There is not just one kind of pepper soup in Africa. In fact, there are almost as many variations as there are cooks, with each one insisting on his or her take ,on this peppery soup, as the only authentic and unpretentious way to make it.
Yes! Even in my family, we all have our take on this soup.
I don’t know about you but I include EVERY part of chicken in my soup – Feet and head too! And I nibble on them.
Oh yes I do, at least when no one is watching – Lol.
The amount of pepper used in this dish is very much a matter of personal taste. I have suggested using an amount that is pleasantly hot, but not over whelming: Just enough to make you sit and take notice-you can adjust if you wish. Or just throw in a whole pepper , you get the flavor not the heat. I do both , an extra one for the heat seeker in the family.
In Cameroon, Njanjsa sometimes plays a big role in this soup. Njansa(the little round condiment in the picture above) is an exotic spice that has a nutty and delectable flavor. It utterly mystifies those who taste them for the first time in soups or stews.
Do you really need njansa in this soup? Not really , however, it adds flavor and thickens any soup. I only use it when I have some available. It is not a spice I can get from my neighborhood supermarket,so I usually don’t sweat it.
The basic ingredients that you need in other to enjoy pepper soup is hot pepper, onions, garlic, ginger then the list goes on with ethnic spices that range from lemon grass to more universal spices like allspice, cumin, curry, fennel seeds. I kept this recipe simple , so anyone, anywhere can try this soup. Use any protein of choice ( goat meat, chicken, fish, beef, ovals.)
Enjoy!
Notes
- I like using fresh hen(stewing chicken ) to cook pepper soup- yields more flavor.
- Njansa is available in some African markets . You can also purchase on line http://tropicalfoodinc.com/index.php
Watch How to Make It
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African Pepper Soup (Chicken)
Ingredients
- 3- 3 1/2 pound 1.3-1.5 kg chicken cut in pieces
- 1 medium onion sliced
- 4-5 garlic clove
- 2 tablespoon chopped ginger
- 1 Tablespoon paprika
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon Maggi or bouillon granules
- 2 green onion chopped whites and green parts
- 3-5 tablespoon parsley / basil any fresh herb
- 1-3 Scotch bonnet or habanera pepper
- Salt and white pepper to taste
- ¼ cup Njansa optional
Instructions
- Place all the spices in the blender or food processor. Pulse until everything is puree
- Add to the pot of chicken, add water about 7-8 cups of water. Bring to a boil and simmer until chicken is tender. Discard bay leaf, add water if necessary.
- Adjust for seasonings and thickness. Serve warm.
Tips & Notes:
- I like using fresh hen(stewing chicken ) to cook pepper soup- yields more flavor.
- Njansa is available in some African markets . You can also purchase on line http://tropicalfoodinc.com/index.php
- The basic ingredients that you need in other to enjoy pepper soup is hot pepper, onions, garlic, ginger then the list goes on with ethnic spices that range from lemon grass to more universal spices like allspice, cumin, curry, fennel seeds. I kept this recipe simple , so anyone, anywhere can try this soup. Use any protein of choice ( goat meat, chicken, fish, beef, ovals.)
Nutrition Information:
Abigail Storrs says
I love pepper soup !!! And thanks to this recipe I no longer have to have to go to restaurants to get it. I make it at home!!!
Thank you
imma africanbites says
Yaay! That’s a major win.
Alex says
This recipe came out way too watery with 7-8 cups for me. It’s not thick like the pictures :/
Imma says
Sad to hear that, Water is an element which you can adjust according to your need and sometimes flame or heat level would be the reason to not bringing the same texture. You can add 4 to 5 cups of water and then if required add more. Hope so this way you will get your desired texture. Thanks for trying it.