Ingredients
- 6 à 8
Chicken legs or drumsticks
You can also use a whole chicken - 10
Onions
- 6
Lemons
- 8 tablespoons
Mustard
- 20
Pitted green olives
- 2
Chicken bouillon cubes
Peanut oil
- 1
Chilli Pepper
Salt & Pepper
Directions
Chicken Yassa: my Favorite Senegalese Dish!
Yassa Chicken is a traditional Senegalese recipe made with marinated chicken, onions, olives, lemon juice and mustard. It is personally one of my favorite African recipes to eat without moderation!
Discover in this article all you need to know about this African culinary specialty.
What is Yassa Chicken?
Yassa Chicken (or Yassa Poulet) is a delicious Senegalese dish made of marinated chicken cooked in a sauce made of onions, mustard, olives, lemon and spices. The traditional recipe varies from region to region and from family to family, but the yassa sauce is the key ingredient of this dish. It is often served with white rice or couscous and is appreciated for its unique flavor and simple but tasty ingredients.
Ingredients to make Yassa sauce
Yassa sauce is the signature sauce of Yassa Chicken. It is made from onions, mustard, lemon, olive oil and spices. The ingredients may vary according to preference, but onions, mustard and lemon are the essential ingredients for this sauce. I personally use olives, which are absolutely necessary for me!
Tips to make a successful traditional Chicken Yassa
To make a success of your traditional Chicken Yassa, it is important to follow the recipe and the ingredients to the letter. It is also important to marinate the chicken for at least 3 hours so that the meat is well impregnated with the flavors of the marinade. Finally, it is important to brown the chicken before cooking it in the sauce so that it is crispy and golden on the outside.
The recipe for Yassa Chicken is quite simple, but there are a few tricks to know to make this recipe a success.
Here are some tips on how to make a delicious Yassa Chicken:
- For extra flavor, you can add spices to the marinade, like turmeric or ginger.
- If you find that your Chicken Yassa is too acidic, you can add a little powdered sugar to sweeten the marinade.
- For an even more fragrant Chicken Yassa, you can add bay leaves to the marinade.
- Don’t hesitate to let your chicken marinate for several hours or even overnight, so that the meat is well infused with the flavors of the marinade.
- If you want a lighter version of Yassa Chicken, you can replace the peanut oil with olive oil.
- Finally, you can add green olives to your Chicken Yassa, this will bring an extra salty flavor.
The Benefits of Yassa Chicken
Poulet Yassa is a Senegalese dish rich in protein and fiber, thanks to the chicken and onions used in the recipe. It also contains vitamins and minerals thanks to the spices used in the marinade.
Benefits of mustard and lemon
Mustard and lemon are the key ingredients in Yassa sauce. Mustard is rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health. Lemon is rich in vitamin C, which boosts the immune system and helps fight disease.
Health benefits of olives
Olives are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, which are beneficial for cardiovascular health. They also contain antioxidants that protect cells from free radical damage. Olives are also a good source of iron and dietary fiber. In addition, studies have shown that compounds found in olives can help reduce inflammation and prevent certain chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.
Calories of Chicken Yassa
A 200 gram serving of Chicken Yassa contains about 400 calories. However, it is possible to reduce the calorie content of the dish by using skinless chicken and limiting the amount of oil used in the recipe.
Let’s cook a delicious Homemade Yassa!
Chicken yassa is a traditional Senegalese dish that is a must for African food lovers. With its mustard, olive and lemon marinade, creamy sauce and flavorful spices, it’s easy to see why this dish is so popular. By following our recipe, you can make a delicious traditional yassa that will please your whole family or your guests. Enjoy!
If you liked this recipe, try the Senegalese Chicken Mafé recipe as soon as possible!
Steps
1 Done | Yassa Chicken MarinadeIn a small bowl, make the marinade for the Yassa Chicken. Squeeze your 6 lemons to collect the juice, then peel and slice 2 onions. You can also add a few crushed garlic cloves. Add a little peanut oil and salt and pepper. |
2 Done | Let your Chicken Yassa marinate in the refrigeratorIn a large dish, place your chicken thighs or drumsticks and sprinkle them with the Yassa marinade. Mix well so that all the chicken is well impregnated with the marinade. Cover your dish with plastic wrap and let the Yassa chicken marinate in the refrigerator overnight (6 minimum). |
3 Done 30min | Cooking ChickenOnce your Yassa chicken has soaked up the marinade, remove the chicken thighs from the pan and broil for 30 minutes in a 210 degree oven or pan. |
4 Done | Preparation of the Yassa SauceWhile your chicken is in the oven, chop your remaining 8 onions and the chili pepper (optional). In a large pot, heat a little oil and sauté your sliced onions over low heat for about 10 minutes. |
5 Done | Pour in the remaining marinade from the chicken. Add the chili pepper and mustard. Heat two large glasses of water and add to the pot and crumble your chicken stock cubes. Finally add your pitted olives. Mix well and add the grilled chicken. |
6 Done | Let your chicken Yassa cook in the broth over low/medium heat for 30 minutes to 1 hour, stirring regularly. When your Yassa is ready, the sauce should have reduced a bit. Meanwhile, cook your rice in a cooker or pan. You can use round rice, broken rice or basmati rice, do as you like! |
7 Done | Your Homemade Chicken Yassa is ready!Serve your chicken Yassa hot with white rice and enjoy it immediately. You can arrange it in a large dish with a few slices of lemon. You will enjoy this traditional Senegalese recipe! |
