For an even deeper flavor, use homemade berbere spice blend instead of individual spices. Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your preferred level of spiciness. Serve hot with injera (Ethiopian flatbread) to soak up all the delicious sauce.
Embark on a culinary journey to Ethiopia with this rich and flavorful chicken stew. Doro Wat is a symphony of slow-cooked chicken, deeply caramelized onions, and a vibrant blend of spices, all crowned with hard-boiled eggs. A truly comforting and exotic dish!
In a large bowl, soak the chicken in 2 cups of water and lemon juice for 10 minutes. This helps to tenderize the chicken and remove any impurities. Drain well. (10 minutes)
Place the chopped Bermuda onion in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are very dark and deeply caramelized. This may take around 20 minutes, but the color is key to the depth of flavor. (20 minutes)
Stir in the butter, cayenne pepper, paprika, black pepper, and ground ginger into the caramelized onions. Cook for another minute until fragrant. (1 minute)
Pour in 1 cup of water and stir to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. (1 minute)
Add the drained chicken to the pot, ensuring it is well-coated with the onion and spice mixture. (2 minutes)
Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Simmer gently for about 1 hour, or until the chicken is very tender and easily pulls apart. (60 minutes)
If a thicker stew is desired, whisk together the flour and 2 tablespoons of water until smooth. Gradually stir the mixture into the pot. Simmer for an additional 2 minutes, or until the stew has thickened to your liking. (2 minutes)
Gently stir in the hard-boiled eggs. Cook and stir until the eggs are heated through, about 10 minutes. (10 minutes)
For an even deeper flavor, use homemade berbere spice blend instead of individual spices. Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your preferred level of spiciness. Serve hot with injera (Ethiopian flatbread) to soak up all the delicious sauce.
Damien Cronin
Jun 22, 2025My family loved this! It's a new favorite in our house. I did add a bit more cayenne pepper for extra heat.
Theo Turner
Jun 19, 2025I've made Doro Wat before, but this recipe is by far the best. The caramelized onions really make a difference.
Cyrus Renner
May 27, 2025This recipe is amazing! The depth of flavor is incredible, and it's surprisingly easy to make.