This hearty potjie is the perfect meal to warm you up on a cold day. Chicken thighs are browned to perfection before being slow-cooked for hours with chunky carrots, potatoes, and aromatic thyme in a rich tomato-based gravy. The result is fall-off-the-bone tender chicken and vegetables that have absorbed all the deep, savory flavors. Butter beans are added in the final stretch, providing a creamy texture that makes the dish incredibly satisfying. Simple to prepare but deeply flavorful, this one-pot wonder is ideal for an outdoor fire or a cozy family dinner indoors, best served with fresh bread or pap to soak up every last bit of the delicious sauce.
📝 Ingredients
- 8 GFC chicken thighs or drumsticks (~1.2kg)
- 2 tbsp oil (30ml)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 potatoes, cubed (~300g)
- 1 can chopped tomatoes (400g)
- 1 can butter beans, drained (400g)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 chicken stock cube + 2 cups water
- Salt & pepper to taste
👩🍳 Method
- Heat oil in a potjie pot or heavy pot over medium heat.
- Brown chicken on all sides, then remove and set aside.
- Sauté onion, garlic, and carrots until soft.
- Add potatoes, paprika, thyme, and cook for 2 minutes.
- Return chicken to the pot, add tomatoes, stock, salt, and pepper.
- Cover and simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Add butter beans in the last 30 minutes.
- Serve hot with fresh bread or pap.
⏱ Prep, Cook & Total Time
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 2–3 hours
- Total time: 2 hrs 20 min – 3 hrs 20 min
🔥 Calories (per serving – serves 6)
- Chicken thighs (1.2kg, skin-on) → 2,760 kcal
- Oil (2 tbsp) → 240 kcal
- Onion (1 medium) → 45 kcal
- Garlic (2 cloves) → 10 kcal
- Carrots (2 medium) → 50 kcal
- Potatoes (300g) → 210 kcal
- Chopped tomatoes (400g) → 80 kcal
- Butter beans (400g, drained) → 280 kcal
- Stock cube → 20 kcal
Total for recipe: 3,695 kcal
Per serving (6 portions): 615 kcal
