{"id":"yassa_0a788c4322","slug":"yassa-senegalese-chicken-yassa","title":"Yassa (Senegalese Chicken Yassa)","description":"A vibrant and tangy West African classic featuring tender chicken braised in a rich, caramelized onion sauce sharpened with lemon and mustard.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":30,"cookMinutes":45,"totalMinutes":75,"activeMinutes":40},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1 kg chicken thighs, bone-in","name":"Chicken Thighs","quantity":1,"unit":"kg","usQuantity":2.2,"usUnit":"lb","form":"bone-in","notes":"skin-on or skin-off per preference","group":"Protein","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"5 large onions, thinly sliced","name":"Onion","quantity":5,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":5,"usUnit":"piece","form":"thinly sliced","notes":"yellow or white onions work best","group":"Sauce Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"120 ml fresh lemon juice","name":"Lemon juice","quantity":120,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"freshly squeezed","notes":"approximately 4 lemons","group":"Sauce Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"3 tbsp Dijon mustard","name":"Dijon Mustard","quantity":45,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"smooth","notes":"provides the signature tang","group":"Sauce Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"4 garlic cloves, minced","name":"Garlic","quantity":4,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"clove","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"120 ml vegetable oil","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":120,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"divided use","group":"Fats","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 Scotch Bonnet or Habanero pepper","name":"Habanero pepper","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"pierce for more heat, keep whole for milder spice","group":"Spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"Salt and black pepper to taste","name":"Black Pepper","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"fine","notes":"to taste","group":"Spices","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a large bowl, combine the sliced onions, lemon juice, mustard, minced garlic, half of the oil, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken and coat thoroughly. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours or overnight.","group":"Prep & Marination","title":"Combine the sliced onions, lemon juice, mustard, minced garlic","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Prep & Marination"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Remove the chicken from the marinade, scraping off excess onions. Heat the remaining oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces on both sides until golden. Remove chicken and set aside.","group":"Cooking","title":"Remove the chicken from the marinade, scraping off excess onions","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"In the same pot, add all the onions and marinade liquid. Sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft and have turned a deep golden color, about 15-20 minutes. Add the chili pepper.","group":"Cooking","title":"Add all the onions and marinade liquid","timerMinutes":20,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Place the chicken back into the pot with the onions. Add a splash of water if the sauce is too thick. Cover and simmer on low heat for 20-30 minutes until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through.","group":"Cooking","title":"Place the chicken back","timerMinutes":25,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"}],"notes":"Marinating the chicken for at least 3 hours (or overnight) is essential for the deep flavor profile characteristic of authentic Yassa. Serve over fluffy white rice or couscous.","cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Senegalese"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["braise","saute","sear"],"equipment":["Dutch oven","large bowl","chef's knife"],"diet":["high_protein","dairy_free"],"allergens":["mustard"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":4,"unit":"servings","note":"Generous portions of chicken and sauce"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The marinade can be prepared 24 hours in advance. The fully cooked dish tastes even better the next day."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat slowly on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a tablespoon of water if needed."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fyassa_0a788c4322%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=eb9bb63d-6bd1-490d-9f19-cb9fd659c5f7","imageAlt":"Yassa (Senegalese Chicken Yassa) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["senegal","west african","yassa","tangy","chicken","onions","savory"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Yassa (Senegalese Chicken Yassa)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T22:16:15.955Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T22:16:15.955Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_17142e2daf","slug":"asida-traditional-african-porridge","title":"Asida (Traditional African Porridge)","description":"A thick, smooth, cooked flour pudding popular across North and East Africa, typically served with melted butter and honey or date syrup for a comforting breakfast.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":25,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Sudanese","Libyan"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_17142e2daf%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=e46cb0f8-07cd-453d-8e07-df1274fe8fc9","imageAlt":"Asida (Traditional African Porridge) — recipe cover","tags":["porridge","traditional","sweet","dough","filling","soft"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_e6582a3999","slug":"firfir-ethiopian-breakfast-fit-fit","title":"Firfir (Ethiopian Breakfast Fit-fit)","description":"A classic savory Ethiopian breakfast made with torn pieces of injera soaked in a spicy, flavorful sauce of berbere spice, aromatics, and spiced clarified butter.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Ethiopian","Eritrean"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_e6582a3999%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f2f625e4-ee9c-425d-8c20-8e0103664b3e","imageAlt":"Firfir (Ethiopian Breakfast Fit-fit) — recipe cover","tags":["firfir","ethiopian","spicy","breakfast","injera","african"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":10,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_18a4e55c12","slug":"kitfo-ethiopian-minced-beef","title":"Kitfo (Ethiopian Minced Beef)","description":"A traditional Ethiopian delicacy featuring finely minced lean beef seasoned with spicy mitmita and rich, aromatic niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter).","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Ethiopian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["high_protein","gluten_free","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_18a4e55c12%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=aeedadce-d5d5-4aa2-aa31-f13472950759","imageAlt":"Kitfo (Ethiopian Minced Beef) — recipe cover","tags":["beef","spicy","ethiopian","kitfo","high-protein","african-cuisine"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":4}]}