KUKU PAKA (CHICKEN WITH COCONUT)
This rich dish of chicken in a spiced coconut sauce comes from Kenya's coast, though creative cooks now produce variations of it all over the country. This simple version was adapted from many of them, including Kirti Patel, Agnes Kalyonge and the author Madhur Jaffrey. It requires slowly grilling the marinated chicken, ideally over charcoal - a little extra work that lends the finished kuku paka a wonderful smoky flavor - though in a pinch, you can use a grill pan on the stove. Note: The coconut sauce should be creamy but not flat, so be sure to spike it at the end with enough lemon juice to give it the edge of sourness that is one of this great dish's defining characteristics.
Provided by Tejal Rao
Categories dinner, barbecues, poultry, main course
Time 1h
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Trim any excess skin from the chicken, keeping some skin intact. Score each chicken piece in 2 or 3 places, slicing about a half-inch into the meat. In a food processor, combine the tomatoes, onions, ginger, garlic, chiles, salt, cumin and coriander. Process until a rough paste forms. Rub 1 scant cup of the mixture all over the chicken, into the cuts and under the skin, reserving the rest for the sauce. Set chicken aside in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or up to 5.
- Prepare and light a charcoal grill. Meanwhile, as the grill heats, prepare the sauce: In a large pan, heat the coconut oil over medium heat and add the remaining paste, stirring occasionally, until all of the water in mixture evaporates and the oil separates, becoming visible on the surface, about 15 minutes. Continue to cook, stirring more frequently so the bottom doesn't burn, until the paste is thick and dark and the raw smell has lessened, about 5 minutes. Add the coconut milk and simmer until the sauce is about as thick as cake batter and has turned a mellow shade of orange, about 20 to 25 minutes, then turn off the heat.
- Grill the marinated chicken, turning the pieces so the skin is browned and the meat is cooked through, then add to the sauce. If the sauce has become too thick to coat the meat and provide a good gravy, stir in a splash of water. Turn the heat back on to low, cover and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the flavors have melded. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and lemon juice, then garnish with cilantro. Serve with rice, chapati or flatbread.
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Keven Chilvers
[email protected]I'm always looking for new and exciting ways to cook chicken, and this recipe definitely fits the bill. The coconut sauce is what really makes this dish special. It's so creamy and flavorful, and it pairs perfectly with the chicken.
Ice Cream Angel
[email protected]This is a great recipe for a healthy and flavorful meal. The chicken is lean and the coconut sauce is made with low-fat milk. I served it over brown rice and it was a hit with my family.
soboor lodin
[email protected]I love how versatile this recipe is. I've made it with chicken, shrimp, and tofu, and it's always delicious. The coconut sauce is also great for dipping vegetables or fruit.
Michael Shackett
[email protected]This is a great recipe for a special occasion. The chicken is cooked to perfection and the coconut sauce is creamy and flavorful. I served it over rice and it was a hit with my guests. I will definitely be making this recipe again.
Zinathi Sthandiwe
[email protected]I'm not a huge fan of coconut, but I decided to give this recipe a try anyway. I'm so glad I did! The coconut flavor is subtle and not overpowering at all. The chicken is incredibly tender and the sauce is delicious. I served it over rice and it was
Dexter Op
[email protected]This recipe is a keeper! The chicken is fall-off-the-bone tender and the coconut sauce is creamy and flavorful. I served it over rice and it was a hit with my family. I will definitely be making this again.
Rc_ Evan
[email protected]I love how easy this recipe is to make. I was able to throw it together in about 30 minutes, and it turned out great. The chicken was tender and juicy, and the coconut sauce was rich and flavorful. I served it over rice and it was a hit with my famil
Emmett Grzegorczyk
[email protected]This is a great recipe for a weeknight meal. It's quick and easy to make, and the results are amazing. The chicken is cooked to perfection and the coconut sauce is creamy and flavorful. I will definitely be making this recipe again.
Paul Chege
[email protected]I'm always looking for new and exciting ways to cook chicken, and this recipe definitely fits the bill. The coconut sauce is what really makes this dish special. It's so creamy and flavorful, and it pairs perfectly with the chicken.
pavlyEshak2621
[email protected]This is a great recipe for a healthy and flavorful meal. The chicken is lean and the coconut sauce is made with low-fat milk. I served it over brown rice and it was a hit with my family.
Atem Garang
[email protected]I love how versatile this recipe is. I've made it with chicken, shrimp, and tofu, and it's always delicious. The coconut sauce is also great for dipping vegetables or fruit.
Malerie Magnusson
[email protected]This is a great recipe for a special occasion. The chicken is cooked to perfection and the coconut sauce is creamy and flavorful. I served it over rice and it was a hit with my guests. I will definitely be making this recipe again.
earth 007
[email protected]I'm not a huge fan of coconut, but I decided to give this recipe a try anyway. I'm so glad I did! The coconut flavor is subtle and not overpowering at all. The chicken is incredibly tender and the sauce is delicious. I served it over rice and it was
Dedra Robinson
[email protected]This recipe is a keeper! The chicken is fall-off-the-bone tender and the coconut sauce is creamy and flavorful. I served it over rice and it was a hit with my family. I will definitely be making this again.
Anto Trajkoski
[email protected]I love how easy this recipe is to make. I was able to throw it together in about 30 minutes, and it turned out great. The chicken was tender and juicy, and the coconut sauce was rich and flavorful. I served it over rice and it was a hit with my famil
Curt
[email protected]This is a great recipe for a weeknight meal. It's quick and easy to make, and the results are amazing. The chicken is cooked to perfection and the coconut sauce is creamy and flavorful. I will definitely be making this recipe again.
Sajjad Ahmod
[email protected]I was a bit hesitant to try this recipe because I'm not a huge fan of coconut, but I'm so glad I did! The coconut flavor is subtle and not overpowering at all. The chicken is incredibly tender and the sauce is delicious. I served it over rice and it
The Klan Official
[email protected]I'm always looking for new and exciting chicken recipes, and this one definitely fits the bill. The coconut sauce is what really makes this dish special. It's so creamy and flavorful, and it pairs perfectly with the chicken. I'll definitely be making
Anaszt√°zia Szarka
[email protected]This is an incredibly flavorful and easy to make dish. The chicken is tender and juicy, and the coconut sauce is rich and creamy. I highly recommend this recipe!