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Poulet Yassa – Senegalese Chicken

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  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Senegalese / West African
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Poulet Yassa is a savory and tangy Senegalese chicken dish, featuring chicken marinated in garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and spices, then cooked with caramelized onions. This flavorful dish is a West African favorite that has gained global popularity for its depth of flavor. Perfectly paired with rice, this dish is an authentic and satisfying meal.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 chicken thighs

  • 3 tbsp olive oil

  • 2 large onions, thinly sliced

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard

  • 1 cup chicken broth

  • ¼ cup lemon juice

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper

  • 1 tsp bouillon powder

  • ½ tsp salt (or to taste)


Instructions

  • Prepare the chicken: Wash and pat dry the chicken thighs. Cut the onions and mince the garlic.

  • Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken in a large bowl. Add the garlic, onions, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, bouillon powder, and salt. Mix together and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight for maximum flavor infusion.

  • Cook the chicken: After marinating, remove the chicken from the marinade and scrape off the marinade and onions, but set them aside (don’t discard).

  • Brown the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet or large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken thighs on both sides for 4-5 minutes each. Remove from the pan and set aside.

  • Caramelize the onions: Add the sliced onions to the same pan and pour in the remaining marinade. Cook on low to medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, until the onions are soft and caramelized.

 

  • Finish the dish: Add the browned chicken pieces back into the pan with the caramelized onions. Pour in the chicken broth and let the chicken simmer for 15-20 minutes, until fully cooked. Taste and adjust the salt if necessary.


Notes

  • This dish pairs beautifully with steamed rice, couscous, or a side of vegetables.

  • For extra heat, you can increase the cayenne pepper or add fresh chilies to the marinade.

 

  • The longer you marinate the chicken, the more intense the flavor will be.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 650mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 19g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 6g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 120mg