South Sudanese Combo
Main Dish • Chicken, Stock, Vegetable
Already have Recipe Keeper?
Ingredients
- Protein
- 2 lb bone‑in chicken pieces or boneless chicken thighs, cut into chunks
- Base Ingredients
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 medium onions, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 3 medium tomatoes, chopped or 1 cup canned tomatoes
- 3 cups fresh spinach, chopped (or frozen, thawed and drained)
- ¾–1 cup unsweetened peanut butter (traditional thickness)
- 2½–3 cups water or chicken stock
- Seasoning (Traditional & Light)
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
Directions
- 1️⃣ Brown the Chicken
- Heat oil in a heavy pot over medium heat.
- Add chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned on all sides.
- This builds flavor but does not fully cook the chicken yet.
- 2️⃣ Add Onions & Garlic
- Add chopped onions and garlic to the pot.
- Cook 5–7 minutes, stirring, until onions soften and turn slightly golden.
- 3️⃣ Simmer the Chicken
- Pour in the water or stock.
- Cover and simmer 20–25 minutes, until chicken is tender and liquid reduces slightly.
- 4️⃣ Stir in Peanut Butter
- Lower heat.
- Add peanut butter slowly, stirring constantly until fully dissolved.
- The stew will become very thick — this is correct.
- 5️⃣ Add Tomatoes & Spinach
- Stir in tomatoes and spinach.
- Cook 5–8 minutes, until spinach wilts and the peanut oil rises slightly to the surface, giving the stew a glossy finish.
- 6️⃣ Season & Adjust
- Add salt and black pepper to taste.
- If too thick, add a small amount of hot water and stir gently.
- 7️⃣ Serve
- Remove from heat and rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- HOW COMBO IS TRADITIONALLY SERVED
- With Asida (sorghum porridge)
- With Kisra (fermented sorghum flatbread)
- Eaten by scooping — never poured
- NOTES
- Combo thickens further as it cools
- Leftovers reheat well with a splash of water
- Unsweetened peanut butter is essential
- AUTHENTICITY NOTE
- Combo is a method, not a rigid recipe.
- Chicken, beef, goat, or no meat at all are all historically used depending on availability. The defining elements are spinach + peanut butter + thick texture.
- Note: Combo is not heavily spiced. Avoid strong spice blends.
