One Pot Palm Oil Stew with Yuca, Chicken & Shrimp

Описание: One-Pot Palm Oil Stew with Yuca, Chicken & Shrimp
A Diaspora Stew Built for Survival
Serves: 4–6
Time: About 1 hour 30 minutes
Skill Level: Home cook

Ingredients
Proteins
1½ lbs bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks


½ lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined


Vegetables & Starch
1½ lbs yuca (cassava), peeled and cut into large chunks


2 medium carrots, sliced into thick rounds


1 medium onion, chopped


3 cloves garlic, minced


1 small bell pepper, chopped (optional)


Stew Base
3–4 tablespoons red palm oil


2 tablespoons neutral oil (if needed)


1 tablespoon tomato paste


4–5 cups chicken stock or water


Seasoning
1 teaspoon smoked paprika


1 teaspoon ground white or black pepper


½ teaspoon ground thyme


1–2 Scotch bonnet or habanero peppers, whole


Salt to taste


To Finish
Fresh herbs (parsley, scallions, or cilantro)


Lime wedges (optional)



Method
Season the Chicken
Pat the chicken dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Set aside.


Build the Base
In a large heavy-bottomed pot, heat the red palm oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, bell pepper (if using), and tomato paste. Cook until the oil deepens in color and the paste loosens into the pot.


Brown the Chicken
Add the chicken pieces, turning to coat them in the palm oil mixture. Let them brown lightly—this builds flavor. Do not rush this step.


Add Liquids & Roots
Pour in stock or water. Bring to a gentle simmer, then add yuca and carrots. Stir carefully so the yuca stays intact.


Season & Simmer
Add smoked paprika, thyme, and whole peppers if using. Cover and simmer for 35–45 minutes, until the yuca is tender and the chicken is fully cooked.


Finish with Shrimp
Add shrimp during the last 5–7 minutes of cooking. They should turn pink and curl gently—do not overcook.


Adjust & Serve
Taste and adjust seasoning. Finish with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lime if desired.



How It’s Served
Serve hot, directly from the pot. Traditionally, this stew stands alone, though it may be accompanied by rice, plantains, or bread depending on region and household.
I’m an Amazon Affiliate. Here are some links to products I used to create this dish:

Red Palm Oil
https://amzn.to/499Wb3L

Yuca
https://amzn.to/499Wb3L

Scott Bonnet Peppers
https://amzn.to/499Wb3L