This is not a recipe to smoke a chicken, rather a recipe that calls for it as an ingredient. I bought a small (~3 lb) chicken, sprinkled it with salt, cumin, and smoked paprika, and smoked it at 250° until a meat thermometer registered 165°, about 1 hour and 45 minutes. But you can substitute store-bought pulled chicken, BBQ chicken, or rotisserie chicken. With already-cooked chicken, this meal was on the table in less than 30 minutes. It was hearty, yet also felt light and healthy. In fact, in researching the recipe I learned that a similar version of moyo de poulet fumé was featured in Eating Well in 1991.
The yams indigenous to Africa are not readily available in the United States. I bought sweet potatoes labeled as yams, because — well — that was as close as I could get. The tomato paste added an umami that heightened the taste of the yams without tasting of tomato. A super simple side dish that we will definetley repeat!
Smoked Chicken in Sauce (Moyo de Poulet Fumé)
1½ cups long grain rice
a 2½-3 lb smoked or rotisserie chicken, or 3-4 pieces of BBQ chicken, ideally a mix of light and dark pieces
1 tablespoon peanut or olive oil
2 medium yellow onions
1 cube Maggi or chicken bouillon
1 teaspoon smoked paprika*
1 28-oz can of diced tomatoes, ideally fire roasted
1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
2 habanero chiles, pierced with a fork
*Increase to 1½ teaspoons if using rotisserie or BBQ chicken
Cook rice according to directions.
Remove skin from chicken and discard or save for other uses. Using a fork and knife, shred the chicken into large pieces.
Heat oil in a large sauce pan or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the onions and sauté for 5-7 minutes, until softened. Add the Maggi or bouillon cube and smoked paprika and stir to incorporate the spices into the onions, crushing the cube with your stirring implement.
Add the tomatoes with their juices, soy sauce or tamari, habanero chiles, and chicken. Simmer mixture, uncovered, for about 20 minutes, until flavors have melded. Remove and discard the habaneros before serving.
Mashed Yams
2 large yams or sweet potatoes
3 tablespoons salted butter or dende oil
1 teaspoon tomato paste*
*Only needed if using butter, rather than dende oil.
Peel potatoes and cut into medium dice. Place in medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Add 1 teaspoon salt.
Bring to a boil over high heat, then lower to medium, to keep pot at a low boil. Cook for about 20 minutes, until potatoes are fork tender.
Drain potatoes and return to the pan. Add the butter or oil, and tomatos paste if using. Mash with a potato masher and serve.
FUN FACTS:
The Royal Python is worshiped in Benin, and it’s thought to be good luck if you cross paths with a snake.
The practice of voodoo started in Benin.
Benin was the first African country to transition from a dictatorship to a democracy.
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