National Dish
Moamba de Galinha
A rich palm oil chicken stew and one of Angola’s most iconic flavours
Considered Angola’s national dish, Moamba de Galinha is a rich and comforting chicken stew made with palm oil, garlic, onions and okra. It is traditionally served with funge, which soaks up the bold, earthy sauce beautifully.
National favourite
Palm oil stew
Homemade comfort
This dish is all about depth, simplicity and the kind of homemade warmth that brings people together around the table.
Served with funge, Moamba becomes one of the most recognisable and comforting meals in Angolan cuisine.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
- 4 tablespoons of red palm oil, moamba oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon of grated ginger, optional
- 2 ripe tomatoes, chopped, or 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
- 200g of okra, sliced
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 litre of water or chicken broth
- Funge, cassava or maize porridge, to serve
Method
Preparation
- Heat the palm oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and saute until golden and fragrant.
- Add the chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned on all sides.
- Stir in the tomatoes or tomato paste, bay leaf, ginger, salt and pepper. Let it cook for a few minutes.
- Add water or broth, cover and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the chicken is tender.
- Add the okra and cook for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the okra is soft and the sauce thickens.
- Serve hot with freshly made funge. Use your fingers if you want to eat it like a local.
Serving idea
How to enjoy it
Moamba de Galinha is best enjoyed hot, generous and freshly served with funge. The sauce is the soul of the dish, rich, deep and made for slow, comforting eating.