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Chicken Yassa with rice recipe

July 24, 2020 by Magali Mutombo

Chicken Yassa with rice recipe
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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 in a sauce pan

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.

grinding spices in a mortar

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!

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chicken yassa in a sauce pan

Chicken Yassa with rice recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 24 reviews
  • Author: Magali Mutombo
  • Prep Time: 35 min
  • Cook Time: 25 min
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Lunch, dinner
  • Method: cooking
  • Cuisine: African
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Description

A mustard chicken with lots of caramelized onions in a mustard sauce that is so delicious.


Ingredients

Scale

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

  1. In a ziploc, put the chicken thighs with the spices expect for the honey and garlic while making sure that everything blends well together.
  2. Let it marinate for 30 min in the fridge.
  3. Put your vegetable oil in your non stick pan on medium high heat.
  4. 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.
  5. Put the thighs on a plate that has a paper towel to absorb the oil.

 

For the sauce:

  1. 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. 
  2. Add the chicken to the pan with ½ of water or chicken stock.
  3. Let it simmer for 10 min.

That’s it. You can serve it warm with rice.


Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

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Related

Filed Under: Dinner, Lunch, Recipes Tagged With: chicken, CHICKEN YASSA

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alexandra says

    August 24, 2020 at 5:59 am

    The flavours of this sound superb! We love chicken dishes, and look forward to trying this soon.

    Reply
    • Magali Mutombo says

      August 27, 2020 at 1:18 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  2. Andréa janssen says

    August 24, 2020 at 8:47 am

    I didn’t know any Senegal recipes, but this looks so delicious. I’m certainly going to try this recipe.

    Reply
    • Magali Mutombo says

      August 27, 2020 at 1:18 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  3. Meesha says

    August 24, 2020 at 10:55 am

    What a unique dish ! Cant wait to try it !

    Reply
  4. Sarah James says

    August 24, 2020 at 12:12 pm

    What a tasty chicken dish, I love the sound of the mustard, lemon and olives with the chicken.

    Reply
  5. Amanda Marie Boyle says

    August 24, 2020 at 2:42 pm

    Wow, looks so amazing! And I love anything featuring onions!

    Reply
  6. Sue says

    August 24, 2020 at 3:34 pm

    This looks so full of flavor! Putting it on my list!

    Reply
  7. Emily Flint says

    August 24, 2020 at 3:56 pm

    I’m always looking for unique chicken dishes and this one does not dissapoint…delicious!

    Reply
  8. Taleen | Just As Tasty says

    August 24, 2020 at 5:09 pm

    I’ve never tried yassa but it looks and sounds delicious! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  9. Marina says

    August 24, 2020 at 8:04 pm

    Great recipe, cannot wait to try it! Thanks for sharing

    Reply
    • Magali Mutombo says

      August 27, 2020 at 1:16 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  10. Robyn says

    August 24, 2020 at 9:46 pm

    This is so good – I love mustard with chicken! Such a delicious family dinner 🙂

    Reply
    • Magali Mutombo says

      August 27, 2020 at 1:15 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  11. Akiko says

    August 24, 2020 at 9:47 pm

    This looks like hearty, comfort food that I love! I can’t wait to try this!

    Reply
    • Magali Mutombo says

      August 27, 2020 at 1:15 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  12. Chef Dennis says

    August 25, 2020 at 9:39 am

    I’m hungry right now! Can’t wait to try this Chicken Yassa with rice.

    Reply
  13. Amy says

    August 25, 2020 at 12:19 pm

    I love trying recipes from different countries. This was yum!

    Reply
  14. Kerri says

    August 25, 2020 at 12:56 pm

    I love learning about cuisines from other cultures. This looks and sounds delicious, I can’t wait to make it!

    Reply
  15. Debra says

    August 25, 2020 at 11:40 pm

    Caramelized onions plus mustard….oh, be still my heart! I’m IN!

    Reply
    • Magali Mutombo says

      August 27, 2020 at 1:11 am

      LOL thank you!

      Reply
  16. Swathi says

    August 26, 2020 at 12:33 am

    This chicken yassa looks delicious. I like any chicken recipe goes with rice. I am going to give this one a try.

    Reply
  17. Mama Maggie's Kitchen says

    August 26, 2020 at 10:27 am

    This dish looks so good. I wish I could eat that right now!

    Reply
    • Magali Mutombo says

      August 27, 2020 at 1:10 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  18. Lathiya says

    August 29, 2020 at 8:03 pm

    The chicken Yassa sounds so easy yet delicious to serve with rice.

    Reply
    • Magali Mutombo says

      September 8, 2020 at 1:17 am

      It is! 🙂

      Reply
  19. Harmonie says

    August 22, 2022 at 6:13 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Magali Mutombo says

      August 25, 2022 at 4:30 pm

      I am glad you enjoyed it. So yummy. Next time please share a picture!:)

      Reply

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