KUKU PAKA-KENYAN CHICKEN IN COCONUT MILK

Kuku paka is an iconic Kenyan dish that perfectly illustrates the local, Indian, and European influences that color the country's cuisine.

The thick, coconut milk-based sauce always has a slightly tangy flavor, enhanced by the heat of the ginger-chili-pepper trio.

Unsurprisingly, there are many variations of this recipe: you can grill the chicken and simmer it for a few minutes in the sauce.

You can also stir-fry the chicken and then let it simmer with the marinade.

Some cooks add a little turmeric, while others omit the herbs.
Personally, we like to use an equal combination of lime juice and tamarind.

In short, it's a dish you can easily adapt to your liking.

 

 

🌿🌟 The Recipe Steps

 

▢ Ingredients

 

▢ 1 chicken (3-4 lb)

▢ 1 1/2 tbsp. 1 tablespoon cumin

▢ 2 tablespoons coriander seeds

 

▢ 1 teaspoon rosemary or thyme

▢ 1 tablespoon black pepper

▢ 1 chopped onion

 

▢ 4 cloves minced garlic

▢ 2-inch minced ginger

▢ 1 hot green chili pepper

▢ (serrano or jalapeño)

 

▢ 2 teaspoons salt

▢ 2 tomatoes

▢ 3 cups coconut milk

 

▢ Juice of 2 limes or 1/4

▢ cup diluted tamarind pulp

▢ 6 tablespoons coconut oil

 

 

▢ Preparation time: 1 hour 20 min
 

▢ Cooking time: 30 to 40 minutes

▢ Total: 2 hours

 

 

▢ Instructions

 

▢ Step 1: 🌟🌿 Seasoning the Chicken 

 

Cut the chicken into pieces and remove as much skin and fat as possible. Place in a bowl.

Grind the spices and place them in a food processor with the onion, garlic, ginger, chili pepper, salt, and tomatoes.
Purify. Stir in the coconut milk, lime juice, or tamarind.
Pour the mixture over the chicken, toss to coat, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least one hour (5 to 6 hours if you have the time).

 

▢ Step 2: 🌟🌿 Cooking the Chicken

 

Remove the chicken from the refrigerator. Preheat the oven to 500°F (200°C) or preheat the grill.

For oven roasting: Pour 2 tablespoons of coconut oil onto a baking sheet.

Drain the chicken, reserving the marinade.

Arrange the drained pieces on the baking sheet so they are not touching. Roast for 25-30 minutes.

If the pieces are not browned enough, broil for a few minutes.

 

▢Step 3: 🌟🌿Second Methods for Cooking Chicken

 

🌟 FOR BBQ:

Drain the chicken pieces and grill gently for 25 to 30 minutes, until cooked through.
Meanwhile, heat a saucepan over medium heat.

Pour in the remaining coconut oil and then add all of the marinade. Cook, stirring regularly to prevent sticking.

Cook until the sauce thickens and the oil rises to the surface. Add the cooked chicken to the sauce and simmer for 5 minutes to coat the chicken pieces well.