This is a Brazilian stew sometimes referred to as a Vatapa. There are a lot of Vatapa recipes, many of the seafood based and thicker – more of a curry – but this one is a great chicken stew with peanuts and coconut milk. This dish is traditionally made right after the holidays, where they would pull leftover chicken and vegetables together and throw it all into a big pot. It is seasoned with garlic, ginger and coconut milk, and brings together a hearty vegetable tomato stew and tropical flavors of South America.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup peeled and thinly sliced ginger (3 ounces)
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped (use less for not-so-spicy)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
- 1/2 cup tablespoons water
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 medium onions, coarsely chopped
- 1 28 oz. can drained canned chopped tomatoes, coarsely chopped, juices reserved
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk
- 1/2 cup dry-roasted peanuts, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut, plus more for garnish
- Handful chopped cilantro, reserve some for garnish
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 can light beer
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 Rotisserie Chicken, boned and meat chopped course (pick one up at the store or roast one yourself)
- Steamed rice and lemon wedges, for serving
In a food processor, pulse the ginger with the garlic, jalapenos, lemon juice and paprika until finely chopped. Add the water to make a thin paste.
Heat a large stew pot and add the olive oil. Add the chopped onions and cook until softened, about 6 minutes. Add the ginger paste and cook until brown, about 2-3 minutes. Add 1/2 the can of tomatoes, coconut milk, peanuts, coconut and 2 tablespoons of the cilantro and cook until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock and beer and the remaining tomatoes, more cilantro and bring to a boil.
Add the rotisserie chicken; simmer for 10 minutes and season with salt and pepper.
Spoon into bowls and garnish with coconut and cilantro. Garnish with cilantro, sliced onion and/or sliced hard boiled egg.
Serve with steamed rice and lemon wedges.
VEGETABLES: Per tradition, feel free to add and chopped up vegetable you might have such as a squash. Just simmer a little longer.
SHRIMP ALTERNATIVE: There is a more traditional version that is more of a shrimp curry using bread to thicken the stew. To use shrimp in this recipe, instead of the chicken, add cooked shrimp (I bet some nice white fish such as sea bass or even squid would b great too, but I have not tried this). Just poach the seafood just before adding to the stew.
Elizabeth
February 23, 2010 at 5:21 amSteve,
Where did you get your background info on vatapa? From what I have learned over the years, Vatapa is a sacred condomble dish, usually made with fish, that is served up to the hungry orishas, “saints” in the Afro-Brazilian candomble religion. It is also a staple on the Bahian table.
E
Steve Brand
February 23, 2010 at 8:42 pmElizabeth: I had seen several versions of this recipe and seen mentions of it in different forms. I know this version is not the original “sacred” dish, but this is a version I like to make on Christmas Eve to nibble on throughout the evening. Your knowledge of Brazilian cuisine blows me away. Thanks for the information!!
Elizabeth
February 25, 2010 at 5:12 pmSteve, check out the recipe pdf packet on the cfa website. You’ll find a very “traditional” recipe for vatapa… as well as a few other goodies.
E
Karen
January 1, 2012 at 6:40 pmI couldn’t stop eating this today (I had three cups of it!!). Thanks for posting the recipe and thanks again for this afternoon. What fun!
buy androxal online with over night delivery
August 16, 2025 at 5:23 pmcheapest buy androxal no rx needed
cheap androxal cost new zealand
get enclomiphene buy san francisco
August 16, 2025 at 5:31 pmorder enclomiphene purchase england
how to order enclomiphene us overnight delivery
order rifaximin using mastercard
August 17, 2025 at 2:21 ambuy cheap UK rifaximin
discounted rifaximin prices
mail order xifaxan
August 17, 2025 at 2:31 amhow to buy xifaxan purchase generic
buying xifaxan generic vs brand name
how to purchase staxyn online
August 17, 2025 at 3:58 amcheap staxyn cheap from india
online order staxyn purchase discount
buy avodart purchase in australia
August 17, 2025 at 3:58 amcheap avodart cost tablet
how to order avodart generic version
Cheapest dutasteride online
August 17, 2025 at 5:18 ampurchase dutasteride uk london
order dutasteride generic order
buy flexeril cyclobenzaprine price in us
August 17, 2025 at 5:19 ampurchase flexeril cyclobenzaprine canada shipping
how to order flexeril cyclobenzaprine buy in the uk
online order gabapentin generic pharmacy canada
August 17, 2025 at 6:10 amorder gabapentin usa seller
gabapentin online no prescription overnight
comment obtenir une ordonnance pour kamagra
August 17, 2025 at 7:46 ammoins cher kamagra
achat kamagra beau pharmacie pas
buy fildena canada drugs
August 17, 2025 at 2:18 pmcheap fildena american express
cheapest buy fildena without rx online
how to buy itraconazole purchase from uk
August 17, 2025 at 3:38 pmget itraconazole cost tablet
lowest price 100 gr itraconazole
poštovní objednávka kamagra
August 18, 2025 at 8:13 amkoupit kamagra medikační kód
kamagra nejlepší ceny
peso789
November 28, 2025 at 6:00 pmThat League of Legends match was insane! Seeing teams adapt strategies on the fly is what esports is all about. Quick payouts are key for enjoying the action-check out peso789 com for fast, secure betting in the Philippines, like they mention with GCash! 🔥
3388betcassino
December 4, 2025 at 2:04 pmOkay, 3388betcassino… classic! They got a good selection of games and the payouts seem fair. Nothing groundbreaking, but a reliable choice. Try your luck: 3388betcassino
superph777
December 18, 2025 at 6:31 amDice games are fascinating – the math behind them is surprisingly complex! Seeing platforms like super ph777 download offer diverse options really highlights that evolution. Reliable platforms with strong security are key for a good experience, too!
ok9o
December 30, 2025 at 7:56 amSo, I stumbled upon ok9o when bored. The layout is clean, and everything is snappy to load. Give it a check to see if it fits your tastes! ok9o
677betlogin
February 27, 2026 at 9:44 pmYo, 677betlogin, just gave it a shot! Smooth site. Depositing was quick, and I was playing in minutes. Seems legit so far! Worth checking out, ya know? Click here: 677betlogin
68jili
February 27, 2026 at 9:44 pm68jili… hmm, pretty cool interface. Jili’s games are fun, got some free spins to start. I’ll be back to try more, hopefully I can get lucky again. Check them out here: 68jili
7777king
February 27, 2026 at 9:44 pm7777king is offering a solid selection, it’s worth taking a look at. Deposited and played smooth so far, let us see if I can become the king here too. You can find the website here: 7777king
Bennett1269
April 22, 2026 at 2:27 pmhttps://shorturl.fm/osVlh
Mona266
April 24, 2026 at 6:31 pmhttps://shorturl.fm/m2wAJ