DINNER IN 135 MINUTES
PANTRY-FRIENDLY
1
Step 1
Light a fire outside and let it burn down to medium coals. Heat the oil in a size 3 potjie over the coals and brown the chicken in batches. Lift it out.
DINNER IN 135 MINUTES
PANTRY-FRIENDLY
CHICKEN · DINNER
Chicken Potjiekos
Chicken potjiekos layered with potatoes, carrots, butternut and mushrooms and slow-cooked in a cast-iron potjie over the coals. Serves 6.
Total time135 min
YieldServes 6
DietNo specific diet
Shopping15 ingredients
DifficultyEasy
Cook along
Everything you need, in order.
Check ingredients as you gather them, then work through 6 calm, clearly numbered steps.
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Ingredients
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Method
6 steps · about 135 minutes total
2
Step 2
Fry the onions in the same pot for five minutes until soft. Add the garlic, paprika, thyme and bay leaves and cook for one minute.
3
Step 3
Return the chicken, add the salt, chutney and stock and bring to a simmer.
4
Step 4
Layer the vegetables on top without stirring: carrots and potatoes first, then butternut, then mushrooms. Season with pepper.
5
Step 5
Put the lid on and simmer gently for 75 to 90 minutes, with a few coals under the pot and fresh coals added as needed. Do not stir; check now and then that there is still liquid at the bottom and add a little water if needed.
6
Step 6
It is ready when the potatoes are soft and the chicken reaches 75°C at the thickest part. Stir gently just before serving.
Before you serve
Cooking notes & good-to-know answers.
Small details for confident timing, useful swaps, and safer leftovers.
Cooking notes
A potjie should only simmer gently; too many coals underneath will burn the bottom.
Layering, not stirring, lets each ingredient cook in the steam and keep its shape.
Light the fire outside, away from the house, and never bring the coals indoors.
Good to know
A size 3 potjie holds this recipe and feeds about six people.
Yes. Use a heavy, lidded casserole over low heat and follow the same layering and timing.
Each layer steams in the juices below it. Stirring breaks up the vegetables and can make the bottom catch.
About this recipe
Potjiekos is South Africa’s slow, sociable cooking: meat and vegetables layered in a three-legged cast-iron pot and left to simmer over the coals while everyone gathers round the fire.
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