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Meat, Africa and overseas

Poulet DG (Cameroonian chicken with plantains)

Poulet DG is a Cameroonian dish of sautéed chicken with ripe plantains, carrots, bell pepper and green beans. It takes about 1 hour for 4 people, rated easy, at around €4.30 per person. The key to a good Poulet DG is crisp vegetables and well browned plantains added at the very end.

Tonight it's the special occasion dish from Cameroon, Poulet DG, golden chicken sautéed with ripe plantains, carrots and green beans.

Poulet DG (Cameroonian chicken with plantains)
Total time
1 h
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€4.30
Calories per person
620 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Spring
The kids
They generally like it

Poulet DG brings together tender chicken, caramelized plantains and vegetables that still have some bite. The sweetness of very ripe plantains balances the ginger and garlic, while carrots, bell pepper and green beans add color and crunch to every forkful. It's a generous dish, built for sharing around a full table.

DG stands for directeur général in Cameroon, since this dish was traditionally served at special occasions and important dinners. At home, it's a great choice for a family Sunday or a meal with friends, and kids usually love the sweet plantains. Plan for about an hour between cooking the chicken and prepping the vegetables, but the result looks far more impressive than the effort it takes.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Chicken thighs 8

Fruits and vegetables

  • Very ripe plantains 3
  • Carrots 3
  • Green beans 300 g
  • Red bell pepper 1
  • Onions 2
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Fresh ginger 20 g
  • Celery stalks 2

Pantry

  • Dried thymeoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Peanut oiloften in the pantry 5 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

The step by step recipe

  1. Cook the chicken with the garlic, ginger, thyme, salt and a little water until tender, then brown it in a pan. 30 min

    Keep the broth, you'll use it for the sauce.

  2. Cut the carrots into sticks, the green beans into pieces, and the bell pepper and celery into strips.

    Thin cuts keep their crunch once sautéed.

  3. Sauté the carrots and green beans in oil, then add the onions, bell pepper and celery. 10 min

    Let them color slightly for extra flavor.

  4. Peel the plantains, slice them into rounds and fry them separately in hot oil. 8 min

    Don't crowd the pan, they won't brown well if they touch.

  5. Mix the chicken, vegetables and plantains, add a splash of broth and let it simmer briefly. 5 min

    Taste and adjust the pepper, the dish should be well seasoned.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick plantains that are nearly black or heavily spotted, that's when they turn sweet and soft enough for this dish.
  • Cut all the vegetables before you start cooking the chicken, the final sauté moves fast and you won't have time to prep as you go.
  • Brown the chicken over fairly high heat after boiling it, that step is what gives the dish its color and grilled flavor.

The variations

  • Swap the chicken thighs for boneless thighs, they cook faster and more evenly.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with mushrooms or firm tofu, sear them the same way before mixing them with the vegetables.
  • For kids in a hurry, cut the plantains thicker and let the vegetables soften a bit more, less crunch but easier to eat quickly.

What to serve it with

  • Plain white rice
  • Fresh ginger juice
  • Simple avocado salad

Storage

Poulet DG keeps for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. You can freeze the chicken and vegetables, but the plantains lose some texture once thawed. Reheat in a skillet over low heat rather than in the microwave, so the vegetables don't turn mushy.

Questions about this dish

Can I use regular bananas instead of plantains?

No, regular bananas turn mushy and too sweet when cooked. You need plantains, even very ripe ones, since their flesh stays firmer and caramelizes instead of falling apart.

Can I make Poulet DG ahead of time?

You can cook the chicken and cut the vegetables the day before, then store them separately in the fridge. Do the final sauté and add the plantains just before serving to keep their texture.

How do I know if the plantains are ripe enough?

Their skin should be almost black or heavily spotted with brown, not just yellow. At that stage, the flesh is sweeter and holds up well during cooking.

Is this dish good for kids?

Yes, kids usually love the sweetness of the plantains. You can simply go easier on the pepper if you want a milder version for them.

How long does it take to make a Poulet DG with plantains and vegetables?

Count 1 h in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a Poulet DG with plantains and vegetables?

About 620 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a Poulet DG with plantains and vegetables cost?

About €4.30 per serving, or €17.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains none of the major allergens tracked by Mon Chou. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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