Poulet ak nwa as it is known in Haiti, is a delectable dish that showcases the country's culinary traditions.
Servings 8People
Course Main Course
Cuisine Haitian
Ingredients
4pounds of chicken (preferably bone-in, skin-on pieces)
2cups of raw cashews
2large onions, chopped
1large bell pepper, chopped
4cloves of garlic, minced
1/4cupfresh parsley, chopped
1/4cupfresh cilantro, chopped
1tbsptomato paste
1can(14.5 oz) of diced tomatoes
1/2cupchicken broth
1tbspHaitian seasoning (also known as epis)
2tbspvegetable oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional: Scotch bonnet or habanero pepper for heat (adjust to preference)
Equipment
Large mixing bowl
Baking sheet
Large skillet or Dutch oven with a lid
Wooden spoon or spatula
Method
In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces with lime juice, Haitian seasoning (epis), salt, and pepper. Mix well, ensuring that the chicken is evenly coated. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or ideally overnight.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Place the cashews on a baking sheet and roast for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Remove from the oven and set aside.
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Brown the marinated chicken pieces on all sides, then remove them from the pan and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the onions, bell pepper, and garlic, and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
Stir in the tomato paste, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, parsley, cilantro, and, if using, the Scotch bonnet or habanero pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
Return the browned chicken pieces to the skillet, cover, and simmer on low heat for 45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Add the roasted cashews to the skillet and stir gently to combine. Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes to allow the cashews to absorb some of the sauce.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Remove the optional hot pepper before serving if desired. Serve the Haitian Poulet ak nwa over rice or with your favorite side dish.
Marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour, or ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat and tenderize it.Roast the cashews in advance to save time during the cooking process.Adjust the heat level of the dish by using more or fewer hot peppers, or simply omitting them if you prefer a mild taste.