Whole30 Nigerian Pepper Soup

Dive into the bold, aromatic flavors of Whole30 Nigerian Pepper Soup, a wholesome and spicy dish that’s perfect for your Whole30 journey! This traditional West African soup features tender chicken thighs simmered in a rich, fragrant broth made with uziza seeds, ground crayfish, and Whole30-compliant chicken stock. Fresh ginger, chili peppers, and optional prekese add depth and heat, while a final garnish of scent leaves or basil infuses the soup with bright herbal notes. Ready in just over an hour, this gluten-free, paleo-friendly recipe is warm, comforting, and packed with vibrant flavors. Enjoy it as a nourishing main course, served piping hot to truly savor the taste of Nigeria!

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 kg Chicken thighs
• 1 medium Onion
• 3 Garlic cloves
• 1 inch piece Fresh ginger
• 2 Chili peppers (or habanero peppers)
• 1 liter Whole30-compliant chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon Ground crayfish
• 1 teaspoon Uziza seeds
• 1 piece Prekese (optional)
• 1 cup Scent leaves or basil
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Begin by prepping the ingredients: finely chop the onion, mince the garlic cloves, and grate the ginger.

Step 2

Clean and cut the chicken thighs into smaller pieces, if necessary.

Step 3

In a large pot, add the chicken pieces and season with salt and black pepper. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger.

Step 4

Add the Whole30-compliant chicken broth to the pot and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.

Step 5

Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for about 15 minutes.

Step 6

While the chicken is simmering, prepare the chili peppers by removing the seeds (if you prefer less heat) and finely chopping them.

Step 7

After 15 minutes, add the ground crayfish, uziza seeds, and prekese (if using) to the pot and stir well.

Step 8

Add the chopped chili peppers to the pot, adjusting the quantity based on your heat preference.

Step 9

Simmer the soup for another 30 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

Step 10

Roughly chop the scent leaves or basil and add them to the pot in the last 5 minutes of cooking. Stir well to combine.

Step 11

Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed, and remove the prekese before serving.

Step 12

Serve hot as a main dish, ensuring each bowl gets a generous amount of broth and chicken.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2532.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2360.0

Total Fat 115.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 32.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 960.2mg	0%
Sodium 5607.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 42.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.7g	0%
Total Sugars 12.9g
Protein 283.6g	0%

Vitamin D 70IU	0%
Calcium 658.4mg	0%
Iron 18.7mg	0%
Potassium 3961.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 44.2%

Protein: 48.5%

Carbs: 7.3%