It is a good thing to try new foods. You are able to experience new taste buds going off in your mouth and it really can help broaden your palate sensors. I made a new friend in Costa Rica a few months ago, she is from Eritrea. She brought a lot of spices from home to have during her stay here. One dish she would often cook is a spicy Eritrean Chicken dish. It is loaded with flavor and spices that aren’t as familiar to me as others are. After she left, she gave me a bag of Eritrean Spice, deep red in color and a mixture of many different spices. I did my best to recreate her East African meal, this is what I came up with!
Cook Eat Delicious Rating: I don’t know if this makes any sense and I hope it doesn’t sound horribly horrible (not my intention at all) but as this was cooking it super smelled Africany (*not a word). It also tasted like it was from Africa so I was feeling pretty good like I nailed it! But it was really the mix of spices that I had, nothing on my part. The combination of tomatoes with the boiled down onions is really something to taste up against the spiciness and depth of the Eritrean spices. Really flavorful and a very delicious easy recipe & meal!

Eritrean Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1 small purple onion diced
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp tumeric
- 6 Tbsp Eritrean Spice
- 2 large tomatoes chopped
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 chicken legs
- 2 chicken thighs
Instructions
- Cook onions in ½ water for 10 minutes over medium heat, in a pot with lid on.
- Add the butter and tumeric to pot and stir until well combined.
- Add in the Eritrean Spice and combine well.
- Add in ½ cup water with the tomatoes and tomato sauce.
- Bring to a boil and turn to a simmer.
- Cook sauce for 20 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and add the chicken.
- Cook with the lid on for 30 minutes or until chicken falls off the bone.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
FAQS about the Eritrean Chicken
1. What is the Eritrean Chicken?
The Eritrean Chicken is a unique chicken breed that is native to the Eritrea region in Africa. The chicken is known for its unusual appearance, with its long neck and legs. The chicken is also known for its unique flavor, which is said to be similar to the taste of game birds.
2. How is the Eritrean Chicken prepared?
The Eritrean Chicken is typically prepared by roasting it over an open fire. This cooking method helps to bring out the chicken’s unique flavor. The chicken is often served with a variety of vegetables and spices.
3. What are the benefits of eating the Eritrean Chicken?
The Eritrean Chicken is a healthy option as it is a lean protein source. The chicken is also a good source of several vitamins and minerals, including iron and zinc. Eating the Eritrean Chicken can also help to boost your immune system.