Poulet Yassa (Senegalese Chicken Recipe) (2024)

Published on . Updated on . By Tayo. This post may contain affiliate links. See Disclosure. 20 Comments

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Poulet Yassa is a Senegalese dish made of chicken that has been marinated in a mixture of garlic, lemon juice, dijon mustard, and spices. It has become very popular throughout West Africa and in other parts of the world.

Poulet Yassa (Senegalese Chicken Recipe) (1)

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The chicken is then cooked in a hot skillet with caramelized onions. Chicken broth is then added to the pot, and the dish is cooked until the chicken is tender. This delicious Poulet Yassa is so tasty and is sure to become your favorite African recipe!

Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why you'll love it
  • 💭 What is Poulet Yassa?
  • 🧾 Ingredients Used
  • 🔪 How To Make This Recipe
  • 🥫 Storing and Reheating
  • 💭 Tips and Variations
  • 🍽️ What can I eat this recipe with?
  • 👩‍🍳 Frequently asked questions
  • 📚 Related Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

❤️ Why you'll love it

You will absolutely love the spiciness and flavor of this dish! The chicken is cooked to perfection, and the onions add a sweetness that takes this dish to the next level.

This recipe is perfect for those who love African food or want to try something new. You will absolutely love this easy chicken dish!

💭 What is Poulet Yassa?

Poulet Yassa, also known as Chicken Yassa, is a popular Senegalese dish made with chicken, caramelized onions, dijon mustard, and other spices. It has a tangy, smoky taste that is so finger-licking good!

The chicken is usually grilled, seared, or baked in the oven before sauteeing in a sauce rich in caramelized onions and other spices.

🧾 Ingredients Used

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Poulet Yassa (Senegalese Chicken Recipe) (2)
  • Chicken thighs: I prefer to use chicken thighs because they have more flavor. You can also use other chicken parts like chicken breasts or chicken legs.
  • Olive oil: This will be used to cook the chicken and onions. You could also use avocado oil.
  • Dijon mustard: This adds a great depth of flavor to the dish.
  • Garlic cloves: I like to use freshly peeled garlic cloves, but you can also use pre-peeled garlic.
  • Onions: You will need large onions for this recipe! I prefer to use yellow onions, but you can also use white onions.
  • Lemon juice: This adds acidity and brightness to the dish.
  • Chicken broth: This will be used to cook the chicken and add flavor. You could also use chicken stock.
  • Spices: I like to use smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, bouillon powder, and salt. You can adjust the spices to your liking.

🔪 How To Make This Recipe

  1. Wash and pat dry the chicken, then cut the onions and mince the garlic. Then, place the chicken in a large bowl.
  2. Add the garlic, onions, lemon juice, mustard, and spices. Mix together and place in the fridge to marinate for 2 hours or overnight. Take the chicken out of the marinade and scrape off the onions and marinade, but don't toss it.
  3. Add some olive oil to a skillet or large dutch oven and place the chicken on it. Brown it for 4-5 minutes on both sides on medium-high heat.
  4. Take the chicken out, add the onions, and pour in the remaining marinade. Cook on low to medium-low heat for about 10 minutes till it is caramelized.
  5. Add the browned chicken pieces to the sweet caramelized onions. Then, pour in the chicken broth and cook for 15-20 minutes, till the chicken is fully cooked. Taste for salt and adjust if needed.
Poulet Yassa (Senegalese Chicken Recipe) (3)

🥫 Storing and Reheating

You can store this tasty dish in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Just be sure to keep it in an airtight container with a lid or wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

When you're ready to reheat, simply place the leftover Senegalese chicken Yassa in a skillet over medium heat and cook until heated through. You may need to add a splash of chicken broth if the dish seems too dry.

💭 Tips and Variations

  • Try using a different type of mustard, such as whole-grain mustard or spicy brown mustard, if you do not have any dijon mustard.
  • Add some chopped bell peppers to the dish for extra color and sweetness. For a kick, add fresh habanero pepper or hot chile pepper.
  • You can adjust the spice level by adding more or less cayenne pepper to this chicken Yassa recipe.
  • Be sure to brown the chicken nicely before adding the onions.
  • Make sure to use fresh lemon juice for the best results. If you can't find fresh lemons, you can use bottled lemon juice or lime juice.
  • You can try adding some other spices for added flavor, such as black pepper or bay leaves.
Poulet Yassa (Senegalese Chicken Recipe) (4)

🍽️ What can I eat this recipe with?

This Poulet Yassa Chicken recipe is traditionally eaten with rice, but I eat mine with cauliflower rice since I'm on a low-carb diet.

It also pairs wonderfully with some delicious side dishes such as Keto Mashed Cauliflower, Air Fryer Green Beans, or some simple Instant Pot Steamed Vegetables.

👩‍🍳 Frequently asked questions

What Does Chicken Yassa taste like?

Chicken Yassa has a unique flavor that is tangy, sweet, and spicy. The chicken is usually very tender, and the onions are caramelized, which gives them a sweet taste.

Where is Yassa from?

Yassa is a dish that originated in Senegal, specifically from the Casamance region, which is in Southern Senegal. It is a very popular dish throughout Western Africa.

What is the most popular food in Senegal?

The most popular recipe in Senegal is thieboudienne, which is a rice and fish dish. Of course, Chicken Yassa is also a very popular dish, as well as Firire, Domoda, and other popular dishes.

Need more healthy African recipes? Check these out!

Chermoula Chicken

Ethiopian Beef Tibs Recipe

Nigerian Chicken Stew

Peri Peri Chicken Wings

North African Poached Eggs

Liver and Onions

Nigerian Banga Soup

Poulet Yassa (Senegalese Chicken Recipe) (5)

📖 Recipe

Poulet Yassa (Senegalese Chicken Recipe) (6)

Poulet Yassa - Senegalese Chicken Recipe

Poulet Yassa is a Senegalese dish made of chicken that has been marinated in a mixture of garlic, lemon juice, dijon mustard, and spices. It has become very popular throughout West Africa and in other parts of the world.

5 from 16 votes

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes

Marinate: 2 hours hours

Total Time: 2 hours hours 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 403kcal

Author: Tayo Oredola

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Wash and pat dry the chicken, then cut the onions and mince the garlic.

  • Place the chicken in a large bowl.

  • Add the garlic, onions, lemon juice, mustard, and spices.

  • Mix together and place in the fridge to marinate for 2 hours or overnight.

  • Take the chicken out of the marinade and scrape off the marinade and onions, but don't toss it.

  • Add some olive oil to a skillet or large dutch oven and place the chicken on it.

  • Brown it for 4-5 minutes on both sides on medium-high heat.

  • Take the chicken out, add the onions, and pour in the remaining marinade.

  • Cook on low to medium-low heat for about 5 minutes till it is caramelized.

  • Add the browned chicken pieces to the sweet caramelized onions.

  • Add the chicken broth to the hot pan, and cook for 15-20 minutes, till the chicken is fully cooked.

  • Taste for salt and adjust if needed.

Notes

This recipe serves 4 and contains 11 net carbs per serving.

  • Try using a different type of mustard, such as whole-grain mustard or spicy brown mustard, if you do not have any dijon mustard.
  • Add some chopped bell peppers to the dish for extra color and sweetness. For a kick, add fresh habanero pepper or hot chile pepper.
  • You can adjust the spice level by adding more or less cayenne pepper to this chicken Yassa recipe.
  • Be sure to brown the chicken nicely before adding the onions.
  • Make sure to use fresh lemon juice for the best results. If you can't find fresh lemons, you can use bottled lemon juice or lime juice.
  • You can try adding some other spices for added flavor, such as black pepper or bay leaves.

Nutrition

Calories: 403kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 1104mg | Potassium: 456mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 342IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg

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More African Recipes

  • Mafe (Maafe) - Senegalese Peanut Stew
  • Kuku Paka (Kenyan Chicken Curry)
  • Sega Wat (Ethiopian Beef Stew)
  • Berbere Chicken (Delicious Ethiopian Chicken)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Poulet Yassa (Senegalese Chicken Recipe) (11)MsMelva says

    Poulet Yassa (Senegalese Chicken Recipe) (12)
    Your recipe popped on Google and for me the presentation drew me in. It look soooo good, however, I am a vegan and I use my homemade seitan instead of chicken. Let me tell , this recipe will now be one of my go to meals, although you have to wait for the dish to marinate, it is well worth the wait?? It was soooooo delicious!! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

    • Poulet Yassa (Senegalese Chicken Recipe) (13)Tayo Oredola says

      I'm so glad you made the recipe work for you!

      Reply

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Poulet Yassa (Senegalese Chicken Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What is poulet yassa made of? ›

Chicken yassa, also known as poulet yassa, is a mildly spicy dish prepared with an abundance of onions. The onions are traditionally marinated in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and herbs and spices such as cayenne pepper, parsley, and garlic then its cooked into a thick comforting stew with grilled or fried chicken.

What is the national dish of Guinea? ›

Poulet Yassa is a simple chicken dish that is popular in the West African region. It is distinguished by an onion and lemon-infused marinade which tenderizes the tough meat of the African fowls found in these regions.

How many calories are in chicken yassa? ›

Read More
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
584Calories
29gFat
20gCarbs
62gProtein

What is yassa fish? ›

Fish Yassa aka Poisson Yassa – A Senegalese seasoned fish smothered in lemon, garlic and mustard sauce- grilled or fried.

What is the meaning of yassa? ›

The word yasa (or Yassa) exists in both Mongolic and Turkic languages. It is believed that the word derives from the Proto-Mongolian verb *jasa- (Modern Mongolian: засах, romanized: zasakh), which means "to set in order". The Turkic verb yasa-, which means "to govern; to create", was probably borrowed from Mongolian.

What is poulet Fafa made of? ›

Poulet fafa is most commonly used in pit barbecues. Chicken, potato, garlic, ginger, and onion are sauteed in a pan, then pineapple and spinach are added to create this traditional Tahitian dish.

What is fou fou made of? ›

It consists of starchy foods—such as cassava, yams, or plantains—that have been boiled, pounded, and rounded into balls; the pounding process, which typically involves a mortar and pestle, can be laborious. Fufu is often dipped into sauces or eaten with stews of meat, fish, or vegetables.

What is guinea pig meat called? ›

Cuy, also known as guinea pig, is a small domesticated rodent native to South America. It is often raised for its meat, which is a traditional food in the Andean region of South America. Cuy is high in protein and low in fat, and is often prepared by roasting or frying.

What religion is Guinea? ›

Roughly 85 percent of Guinea's population is Muslim, primarily of the Sunni school. Muslims constitute a majority in all four geographic regions. Christians, mostly Roman Catholic, comprise an 8 percent minority and are situated primarily in Conakry and eastern parts of the Forest Region.

How much fat is in Mongolian chicken? ›

1 Serving of mongolian chicken (Pei Wei) contains 280 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 22% carbs, 32% fat, and 47% protein. This is a good source of protein (54% of your Daily Value).

How many calories are in Boscaiola? ›

Penne Boscaiola
Typical ValuesPer 100gg (350g)
Calories614.5kj2150.6kj
146.9kcal514kcal
Total Fat6.3g22g
Saturated Fat3.7g13g
6 more rows
Sep 21, 2018

How many calories are in chicken souvlaki? ›

Chicken, lamb, and pork souvlaki are lower-fat main dishes that provide a decent serving of grilled vegetables. A typical order of chicken souvlaki has just 260 calories and eight grams of fat. Lamb or pork skewers have 310 calories and 11 grams of fat.

What is Yassa made of? ›

Yassa is a spicy dish prepared with onions and either marinated poultry, marinated fish or marinated lamb. Originally from Senegal, yassa has become popular throughout West Africa. Chicken yassa (also known as yassa au poulet), prepared with onions, lemon or mustard, is a specialty from Senegal.

What fish do they eat in Egypt? ›

Common types of seafood found in Egyptian cuisine include fish, such as Mullet (Bouri), Sea Bass (Barramundi), Tilapia (Bolti), Mackerel, Sole (Solea), Snapper, and Grouper.

What is Finland fish meal? ›

Smoked vendace, perch and burbot, fried pike, perch and zander, bourbot and pike soup, salted whitefish and trout are examples of typical Finnish meals. Wide areas of pure freshwater with good fish stocks mean that it is easy to get fresh fish flesh for cooking every day.

What is chicken rara made of? ›

Chicken Rara also known as Murgh Rara is a famous Indian recipe that you must try at home. Chicken pieces are cooked in a spicy and scrumptious chicken mince gravy, and served with hot phulkas or rice. Here, we share one of the best Chicken Rara recipes that's rich, aromatic, and delicious.

What is the history of the yassa chicken? ›

Originally from Senegal, yassa has become popular throughout West Africa. Chicken yassa (also known as yassa au poulet), prepared with onions, lemon or mustard, is a specialty from Senegal. Other meats used for yassa are lamb and fish.

What is poulet basquaise made of? ›

Chicken Basquaise (poulet Basquaise) is one of those beautiful French chicken dishes that hails from the south of France. It's a simple recipe mainly consisting of chicken, onions and peppers that are cooked in a tomato and white wine sauce.

What is poulet DG made of? ›

Popular in Cameroon, poulet DG is a dish made of chicken, plantains, and vegetables that are all cooked together in a tasty tomato and pepper sauce. With a spicy kick, it's a filling, wonderful dinner.

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