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Traditional Road-Runner Chicken Stew

Written by Published on in Chicken, Meats, Traditional
10-12 Servings ~ 1 hr 45 min
  • 2 kg free range chicken (road runner)
  • 960 ml cold water
  • 1 medium onion
  • 3 medium tomatoes
  • 4 whole cloves garlic
  • 2 tbsp tomato soup powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp tomato sauce
  • 1 tsp paprika

The free range chicken (huku yepamusha) which is commonly known as road runner is a popular favourite among Zimbabweans. Back in the days, this would be slaughtered on special occasions such as Christmas or celebrations (mabiko) and  nicely fried and stewed to the enjoyment of friends and family.

Though it’s tougher than your usual broiler (high-breed) chicken, it’s a preferred choice as it does not have any chemicals injected into it and so forth which has become a rampant problem now with chickens. Also, one of the trademarks of a road runner chicken is its bones which are slightly tougher than the high-breed chickens.  That aside, I prepared this for supper for my family and my girls just loved it, especially my 5 year old daughter #lickingherfingersfordays!!

Resources/Equipment You Will Need

  • Large pot
  • Chopping board
  • Sharp knife
  • Wooden spoon
  • Apron (find one here)

Quick Instructions

  1. The ingredients you’ll need for this include 2 kg free range chicken (road runner); 960 ml cold water; 1 medium onion; 3 medium tomatoes; 4 whole cloves garlic; 2 tbsp tomato soup powder; 1 tsp salt; 2 tbsp tomato sauce and 1 tsp paprika. Chop your onions and tomatoes.
  2. Cut your chicken, put it in the pot, add water (400 ml) and salt.
  3. Close pot and bring to the boil until the water is finished (about 50 minutes, depending on how hot your stove is).
  4. Add whole garlic cloves and paprika. Fry the chicken until it is browned (about 15 minutes). Add more water (500 ml).
  5. Close pot once again and reduce heat. Let the chicken simmer gently until tender, cooked through and the water is finished (about 25 minutes).
  6. Fry the chicken for about a minute. Add the onions and tomatoes all at once and stir.
  7. Close the pot again to give the tomatoes and onions time to cook (about 5 minutes). Mix tomato soup powder with water (60 ml) to make a smooth paste. Pour this into the pot together with 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce. Stir and let this simmer for another 5-10 minutes.
  8. Your road runner chicken stew is ready!
Also see  Traditional Peanut Butter Beef stew

Pictorial Detailed Instructions

Step-1
Chop your onions and tomatoes.

 

Step-2
Cut your chicken, put it in the pot, add water and salt.

 

Step-3
Close pot and bring to the boil until the water is finished.

 

Step-4a
Add whole garlic cloves and paprika. Fry the chicken until it is browned. Add more water.

 

Step-5
Close pot once again and reduce heat. Let the chicken simmer gently until tender and cooked through.

 

Step-6
Fry the chicken for about a minute. Add the onions and tomatoes all at once and stir.

 

Step-7
Close the pot again to give the tomatoes and onions time to cook (about 5 minutes). Mix tomato soup powder with water to make a smooth paste. Pour this into the pot together with 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce. Stir and let this simmer for another 5 minutes.

 

Step-8
Your road runner chicken stew is ready!

 

The original Zimbo Chicken!
The original Zimbo Chicken!

This is typically enjoyed with steaming hot sadza or rice but the real deal is sadza nemuriwo (pap and leafy green veggies). Let me know how it goes in your kitchen when you try it out. Leave a comment below. Sign-up to receive recipe alerts by email.