Chicken yassa with rice recipe is a staple dish in Senegal. This particular dish originates from the southern part of the country, Casamance. Known for its beautiful coasts and amazing fabrics, Senegal is a country in western Africa that brings so much to the African gastronomy. In the last five years, there has been a buzz about a grain that dates back to ancient Egypt called fonio, found in Senegal. This grain is a superfood and it is slowly gaining interest in America. The spices and herbs used in their cuisines have distinct flavors and aromas and are still relatively unknown to the rest of the world. Senegalese cuisine has a diversity of cooking techniques acquired through their contact with other cultures.
They possess such a rich culture and many of the artisanal techniques from hundreds of years ago are still used today. I am hoping that one day I’ll have the opportunity to visit this country about which I have heard and read so many good things.
Now, about the dish.
Chicken yassa. How do you make it?
The chicken is marinated in mustard and cooked in a mustard sauce, sometimes, with olives. The main ingredients in the dish are mustard, onions and lemons. The balance of flavors from the pungent flavor of the mustard cut by the acidity from the lemon to the onions makes this dish a true delicacy.
There is also yassa fish which is essentially the same marinade only this is with fish.
For my chicken yassa, I prefer using chicken thighs because they retain flavors very well. You can also use drumsticks if you would like.
To add more flavors to the dish, I add bay leaves, thyme and peppers that I blend in the mortar. I use it in my marinade for the chicken and in the mustard sauce later.
For a better result, you need to marinade your chicken at least 2 hours. However, you can cook it right away if you don’t have time.
For a better result, you need to marinade your chicken at least 2 hours. However, you can cook it right away if you don’t have time.
Do you need onions for chicken yassa?
Onions. Lots of it. Seriously. Why? It is pretty simple. Onions melt and balance the dish very well. And they help make your sauce more consistent. Caramelized onions with mustard is a great combination! Also, I cut my onions in halves and then sliced them thinly.
To bring even more flavor, make sure you use your chicken stock instead of water.
To conclude, chicken yassa with rice recipe is a guaranteed hit to any dinner! It is also a great recipe as an introduction to african cuisine.
Let me know how your chicken yassa turns out!
Chicken Yassa with rice recipe
- Prep Time: 35 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Lunch, dinner
- Method: cooking
- Cuisine: African
Description
A mustard chicken with lots of caramelized onions in a mustard sauce that is so delicious.
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 4 chicken thighs
- 2 bay leaves grounded
- 1 onions sliced thinly
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 Tbsp of mustard
- ½ tsp of grounded thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ pepper
For the sauce:
- 3 onions thinly sliced
- ½ lemon (juice)
- 3 garlic cloves
- ½ tsp of grounded thyme
- ½ tsp of grounded bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 Tbsp of honey
Instructions
- In a ziploc, put the chicken thighs with the spices expect for the honey and garlic while making sure that everything blends well together.
- Let it marinate for 30 min in the fridge.
- Put your vegetable oil in your non stick pan on medium high heat.
- Once your oil is hot, put the chicken thighs skin first if applicable. Let your skin get crispy then turn it on the other side. Turn the heat down to medium and cook it for 10 min.
- Put the thighs on a plate that has a paper towel to absorb the oil.
For the sauce:
- In the same pan, put your onion, garlic and stir to deglaze the bottom of the pan with the lemon juice. Stir well. Add the mustard. Let it cook for 5 min. Then add honey, thyme, bay leaf, salt, pepper.
- Add the chicken to the pan with ½ of water or chicken stock.
- Let it simmer for 10 min.
That’s it. You can serve it warm with rice.
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The flavours of this sound superb! We love chicken dishes, and look forward to trying this soon.
Thank you!
I didn’t know any Senegal recipes, but this looks so delicious. I’m certainly going to try this recipe.
Thanks!
What a unique dish ! Cant wait to try it !
What a tasty chicken dish, I love the sound of the mustard, lemon and olives with the chicken.
Wow, looks so amazing! And I love anything featuring onions!
This looks so full of flavor! Putting it on my list!
I’m always looking for unique chicken dishes and this one does not dissapoint…delicious!
I’ve never tried yassa but it looks and sounds delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
Great recipe, cannot wait to try it! Thanks for sharing
Thanks!
This is so good – I love mustard with chicken! Such a delicious family dinner 🙂
Thanks!
This looks like hearty, comfort food that I love! I can’t wait to try this!
Thank you!
I’m hungry right now! Can’t wait to try this Chicken Yassa with rice.
I love trying recipes from different countries. This was yum!
I love learning about cuisines from other cultures. This looks and sounds delicious, I can’t wait to make it!
Caramelized onions plus mustard….oh, be still my heart! I’m IN!
LOL thank you!
This chicken yassa looks delicious. I like any chicken recipe goes with rice. I am going to give this one a try.
This dish looks so good. I wish I could eat that right now!
Thank you!
The chicken Yassa sounds so easy yet delicious to serve with rice.
It is! 🙂
Looked for a recipe for this after having it at a restaurant and this is just as delicious. Simple ingredients and easy to make. Loved the flavor of this sauce
I am glad you enjoyed it. So yummy. Next time please share a picture!:)