National Dish of Democratic Republic of Congo Poulet a la Moambe

Poulet a la Moambe is a savory chicken stew with strong African flavors such as nutmeg and peanut butter. This dish is popular in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is usually eaten with cooked white rice.

Servings

Prep Time

15 Min

Cook Time

135 Min

Total Time

150 Min

3-4 lbs.
chicken parts (cut into stewing pieces)
1
onion (finely chopped)
1 tbsp.
butter
1
can (8 oz.) tomato sauce
1 cup
unsalted peanut butter
1 pinch
ground nutmeg
½ tsp.
salt
¼ tsp.
cayenne pepper
Black pepper

Poulet a la Moambe is a savory chicken stew with strong African flavors such as nutmeg and peanut butter. This dish is popular in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is usually eaten with cooked white rice.

Directions for Preparing Poulet a la Moambe

  1. Place the chicken pieces in a soup pot.
  2. Pour in enough water to cover the meat.
  3. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and allow to simmer for one and a half hours (1:30) until the chicken is cooked.
  5. Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and set it aside.
  6. Reserve a cup and a half of the chicken broth.
  7. Heat a separate pan and melt the butter.
  8. Sauté the chopped onion, the ground nutmeg, and the cayenne pepper together.
  9. Sprinkle in a little black pepper.
  10. Open the can of tomato sauce and pour it into the pan.
  11. Mix well for three (0:03) minutes.
  12. Place the cooked chicken into the pan
  13. Add the chicken broth that was previously reserved.
  14. Stir everything together and cover the pan with a lid.
  15. Let the stew simmer for approximately fifteen (0:15) minutes.
  16. Uncover the pan and spoon the creamy peanut butter into the stew.
  17. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  18. Remove the pan from the stove and place it into the preheated oven.
  19. Bake for thirty (0:30) minutes, uncovered.
  20. Serve this delicious chicken stew with a generous serving of warm cooked white rice.

Sauces to mix with the ingredients above can be made with tomatoes, onions, and the local aromatic herbs. Vegetable oil, together with salt, hot red chili pepper, and sweet green pepper are used to impart extra flavor. These spices are less frequently used in the far south.

Brunei National dish 

Poulet à la Moambe is one of the most important traditional dishes of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is widely regarded as a national dish across Central Africa. The defining ingredient of the dish is moambe sauce, traditionally made from palm nut pulp, which gives the stew its rich, earthy flavor and deep color. In some modern or regional variations, peanut butter is used to enrich the sauce or complement the palm-based flavors. The dish reflects the agricultural foundations of Congolese cuisine, where palm oil, nuts, aromatic spices, and slow-cooked stews are central to everyday meals. Historically, Poulet à la Moambe developed as a communal dish prepared for families and gatherings, served with neutral starches such as white rice to balance its bold, savory profile. Today, it remains a cornerstone of Congolese food culture and a symbol of the region’s culinary identity.

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