Kedjenou

Kedjenou is a delicious chicken meal that is surprisingly simple to prepare. It is chicken that is basted in its own juice in a "canary," or earthenware jar, over a wood fire. This delectable chicken is a popular dish in Ivory Coast. It is thought to have originated with the Baoulé ethnic group of Ivory Coast. According to numerous accounts, the term kedjenou derives from the Baoulé language and means "to move or shake." While braising the chicken, the pot is often shook so that the chicken or sauce does not adhere to the bottom of the pot.

Kedjenou can be prepared using a variety of meats, including chicken, pig, beef, and even seafood. However, Kedjenou chicken, or Kedjenou de Poulet, is more popular and can be found on the menus of its maquis, which are tiny open-air eateries peculiar to Côte d'Ivoire. Every family's version of this popular stew is unique. What is constant is the spiciness imparted by those adorable tiny hot peppers.