This Ethiopian Berbere Chicken Stir Fry is a weeknight favorite because it’s packed with flavor and veggies!
It’s hard to describe the what Ethiopian Berbere spice tastes like. But suffice it to say, if you like a bit of heat and any kind of curry, you’re more than a little likely to fall in love with this heady spice mix.
The most intriguing part of this spice mix for me is the unique chili flavor. It’s both parts earthy and fruity in nature. The more I try and describe it, the more I feel like I’m just rambling. But I do hope this convinces you to give it a try.
First up, one thing you need to know about berbere spice is the different mixes vary just like curry powders. The flavor varies, but also the amount of heat. So depending on what you have available proceed with caution!
The one I have is lightly warm if you just taste it plain, and I feel like it has a good balance for whatever you want to make. So I wanted to leave you a link to the one I buy. (This isn’t sponsored, just a company local to Montana called The Silk Road, that makes quality spice mixes.)
I actually own every single spice mix they make, and they’re all fantastic if you feel like you really want to branch out and stock up, if you make an order. The other thing to look for is a spice mix without added sugar and salt – the addition of either will call for adjustments in the rest of the recipe.
What is Ethiopian Berbere:
It’s a mix of spices usually including: chili, paprika, fenugreek, ginger, coriander, black pepper, cumin, cardamom, all spice, turmeric, and a few others as well.
How to make this Ethiopian Berbere Chicken Stir Fry:
- Start by prepping all the veggies.
- Then prep the garlic, ginger, and sauce as pictured below.
- Finally cut up the chicken, and you’re ready to get cooking!
Stir Fry Tip #1: Always prep everything you’ll need for any stir fry recipe before cooking. Stir fries come together quickly, and you don’t want to be frantically chopping while cooking over high heat!
Stir Fry Tip #2: Cook any stir fry you make over high heat in the largest skillet you own. The hotter the pan, the more seared flavor you get. The the bigger the pan, the better the seared flavor will be because the meat and veggies will cook quickly, brown well, and not steam.
More Stir Fry Inspiration:
- Thai Basil Chicken Stir Fry (Whole30)
- Whole30 Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir Fry
- Pot Sticker Stir Fry
- Healthier Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry
- Whole30 Chicken Stir Fry with 3 Sauces
- Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggie Sheet Pan Stir Fry
- Sweet Chili Chicken Stir Fry
- Indian Paneer Stir-Fry
- Rainbow Veggie Orange Chicken Stir Fry
- Cashew Chicken and Veggie Stir Fry
I hope you’ll enjoy using Ethiopian Berbere spice mix as much as we have. If you do make this stir fry, I hope you’ll leave me a comment/rating below. And I always love hearing from you here. Or over on Instagram where you can tag me at #getinspiredeveryday with your photos.
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Ethiopian Berbere Chicken Stir Fry
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This stir fry is deeply flavored and oh so addictive thanks to the Ethiopian Berbere spice!
Ingredients
2 Tablespoons avocado oil
4 boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1/2” pieces, 1 1/2 pounds
4 zucchini, 1 1/2 pounds
1 red bell pepper, 8 ounces
6 carrots, 1 pound
1 red onion, 12 ounces
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tablespoons minced fresh ginger
1 Tablespoon Ethiopian Berbere spice mix, see notes
1/2 cup coconut aminos
Instructions
Start by cutting off both ends from the zucchini, then split them in half lengthwise. Lay each half flat side down on the cutting board, then slice crosswise into 1/4″ half moon slices.
Remove the stem and seeds from the bell pepper, then cut it in half from the top to the bottom. Cut each half into 1/2″ strips, then cut the strips in half lengthwise.
Peel the carrots and thinly slice them – less than 1/4″ thick.
Cut both ends from the onion, and cut it in half from the top to the bottom. Lay each half flat side down on the cutting board, then cut across the rounded top into 1/4″ thick half moon slices.
Prep the garlic and ginger, and place them together in a small dish.
Heat a large, 15″ skillet, over high heat until hot but not smoking. Add 1 tablespoon of the avocado oil to the pan along with the chicken. Sauté over high heat until the chicken is browned and just done. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
Add the remaining tablespoon of avocado oil to the pan along with the prepped veggies. Sauté over high heat until the veggies are crisp tender, stirring often, 5-6 minutes.
When the veggies are crisp tender, add the garlic and ginger along with the berbere spice to the pan. Cook until fragrant stirring constantly, about 1 minute.
Turn the heat off and add the coconut aminos to the pan.
Stir to combine and serve with your choice of sides.
Notes
Ethiopian Berbere spice mixes can vary greatly in heat. The one I use is from The Silk Road, a local Montana company that is linked in the post if you’d like to order from them. Their spice blend is very balanced and just warm, not hot, to your tongue if you taste the spice mix plain.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Stir Fry
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: Ethiopian
This is great! I used to make berbere back when I did a lot of Ethiopian cooking. It’s a thick red paste made mostly with paprika and red wine. Great color. I wasn’t aware there is a dry mix, but why not?!! This stir fry looks wonderful.
I’ve never made berbere in a paste form, but I most definitely need to try that out!