Yassa Chicken

Yassa Chicken

Yassa Chicken

The French influenced yassa chicken is a popular dish in Senegal. Chicken parts are marinated, then par broiled or grilled. Then the chicken is simmered in a caramelized onion/dijon mustard/lemon sauce until they are cooked through, falling off the bone. Yassa chicken is served with either steamed rice or couscous.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Marinating Time8 hours
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Senegalese
Keyword: Chicken, main course, Senegalese, West African
Author: Alex Gorgos

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs chicken thighs
  • 1 large onion sliced
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tbsp chicken bouillon
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp dijon mustard
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 1 lemon sliced
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 scotch bonnet or another hot pepper

Instructions

  • Pull back the skin from the chicken. Season with chicken bouillon, salt, and pepper.
    Senegalese, main course, chicken
  • Place the chicken in a storage bag with a quarter of the sliced onions, garlic, and bay leaves. Squeeze out the air. Marinate for 8 hours, preferably overnight.
    Senegalese, main course, chicken
  • Turn on your oven’s broiler. Place the chicken on a rack on a baking sheet lined in foil.
    Senegalese, main course, chicken
  • Broil the chicken for 6 minutes a side.
    Senegalese, main course, chicken
  • Heat up cooking oil in a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Add in the onions plus the remains of the marinade. Sauté for 10 minutes.
    Senegalese, main course, chicken
  • Add in the lemon slices, hot pepper, and dijon mustard. Sauté for a minute.
    Senegalese, main course, chicken
  • Place the chicken in the pan. Pour in chicken stock. Bring to a boil. Cover. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 25 minutes.
    Senegalese, main course, chicken
  • Squeeze lemon over the chicken.
    Senegalese, main course, chicken
Senegalese, main course, chicken