Main Course · Dinner · African ·

Ethiopian Doro Alicha with Mild Cumin Sauce

Name: Ethiopian Doro Alicha with Mild Cumin Sauce
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 105 min
Total time: 140 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 4 chicken legs, skin removed; 2 tbsp lemon juice; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp turmeric; 2 large onions, finely chopped; 3 tbsp vegetable oil; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1.5 inches ginger, grated; 1 tsp cumin seeds; 1 tsp ground coriander; 1/2 cup chicken stock or water; Salt to taste; 4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled; Injera or white rice

Doro Alicha is a mild, yet flavorful chicken stew hailing from Ethiopian cuisine, characterized by a soothing blend of spices and a deliciously fragrant sauce.

4.8(535 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·October 22, 2025

Ethiopian Doro Alicha with Mild Cumin Sauce — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

35 min

Cook

1 h 45 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Chicken Marinade

For the Stew Base

For the Sauce

For the Accompaniments

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 464 kcal
Protein: 39 g
Carbs: 19.3 g
Fat: 25 g
Fiber: 1.8 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1856 kcal
Protein: 156.2 g
Carbs: 77 g
Fat: 99.9 g
Fiber: 7.2 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
4 chicken legs, skin removed	840	122	0	36	0
2 tbsp lemon juice	8	0.1	2.6	0	0.1
1 tsp salt	0	0	0	0	0
1 tsp turmeric	8	0.3	1.4	0.2	0.5
2 large onions, finely chopped	88	2.5	21	0.3	4
3 tbsp vegetable oil	360	0	0	40	0
3 cloves garlic, minced	13	0.6	3	0	0.2
1.5 inches ginger, grated	4	0.1	1	0.1	0.1
1 tsp cumin seeds	8	0.4	1	0.5	0.8
1 tsp ground coriander	5	0.2	1	0.3	0.5
1/2 cup chicken stock or water	10	1	0	0.5	0
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0
4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled	312	26	2	21	0
Injera or white rice	200	4	44	1	1

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Chicken

1
Rinse and Dry the Chicken
Rinse the chicken legs and pat dry.
2
Combine Marinade Ingredients
In a bowl, combine lemon juice, salt, and turmeric.
3
Marinate the Chicken
Rub the mixture over the chicken. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
Tip: Marinating overnight enhances the flavors significantly.

Preparing the Stew Base

1
Heat Oil and Sauté Onions
Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté for 10-12 minutes until deeply caramelized.
Tip: Do not rush the caramelization of onions; it's key to the flavor.
2
Stir in Garlic and Ginger
Stir in garlic and ginger, cooking for an additional 2 minutes.

How to Make Ethiopian Doro Alicha with Mild Cumin Sauce

Total time: 2 h 20 min · Yields 4 servings

1
Browning the Chicken
Sear the marinated chicken in the pot until lightly browned on all sides.
2
Building the Stew
Add cumin seeds, ground coriander, and chicken stock to the pot. Stir to combine.
3
Simmering
Cover the pot and simmer gently for 45-60 minutes, occasionally stirring.